Pineapple
Pineapples can be traced back to their origin in South America, Ananas comosus (Pineapple) is a tropical plant with an edible fruit and the most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae.The pineapple is indigenous to South America, where it has been cultivated for many centuries. The introduction of the pineapple to Europe in the 17th century made it a significant cultural icon of luxury. Since the 1820s, pineapple has been commercially grown in greenhouses and many tropical plantations. Further, it is the third most important tropical fruit in world production. In the 20th century, Hawaii was a dominant producer of pineapples, and are linked together with Hawaii because of the large pineapple industry that was build on Hawaii in the early 1900s. For a while, Hawaiì supplied over 80% of the world’s output of canned pineapple, especially for the US; however, by 2016, Costa Rica, Brazil, and the Philippines accounted for nearly one-third of the world’s production of pineapples.
Raw pineapple pulp is 86% water, 13% carbohydrates, 0.5% protein, and contains negligible fat. In a 100-gram reference amount, raw pineapple supplies 50 calories, and is a rich source of manganese (44% Daily Value, DV) and vitamin C (58% DV), but otherwise contains no micronutrients in significant amounts.
Health Benefits
- Boost your immune system
Pineapples are a powerful source of vitamin C and, in fact, contain half of the daily recommended value for an adult according to Food and Drug Administration. Vitamin C is also a primary water-soluble antioxidant that fights cell damage.Our bodies need sufficient vitamin C to fight cell damage and prevent joint pains and heart diseases.
- Strengthen your bones
In addition to containing loads of vitamin C, pineapples also have plenty of manganese which strengthens bones and connecting tissues. One study also suggests that manganese helps preventing osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. One cup of fresh pineapple juice contains over 70% of the required daily dose of manganese. Kids, adults and elderly people should eat a few chunks of pineapple a day to keep their bodies strong.
- A great remedy for sinuses and allergy swellings
Again, it’s all about vitamin C and bromelain which helps to reduce mucus in the throat and nose. If you are exposed to seasonal allergies incorporate pineapples to your diet, along with some extra bromelain supplements to ease up your condition.
- Reduce blood clot
Bromelain helps reduce excessive coagulation of the blood. Frequent flyers, flight attendants, movers, and other folks at risk for blood clots, pineapples should be your go-to snack!
- Reduce stress
Pineapples contain a good level of several B vitamins which propel your brain to function better and boost your ability to deal with stress efficiently.
- Keep your eyes healthy
Due to the high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C, pineapple reduces the risk of macular degeneration – an eye disease, causing vision lose.[5] Elder people are particularly exposed to it. Also, it contains a lot of beta carotene – an essential element needed for healthy vision that should be consumed regularly.
- Treat colds and cough
Thanks to the huge level of anti-inflammatory bromelain and vitamin C, pineapple can be a great remedy for treating nasty colds and coughing.
Bromelain is also known to reduce swelling and respiratory problems. Enzymes that pineapples contain reduce inflammation and clean up excessive mucus in the respiratory system.The next time you feel sick, drink a glass of pineapple juice instead of orange juice. Your recovery will start much sooner.
- Help prevent cancer
Pineapples contain loads of antioxidants that help to capture and fight against free radicals. This slows down the cell damage process, thus preventing some types of cancer. In fact, research has found that pineapple enzymes can shrink or kill cancer cells.
- Strengthen your gums
Astringent agents abundant in pineapples help to tighten up gum tissues and even prevent oral cancer. In fact, pineapples are often prescribed to fix loosening of teeth or the the retraction of the gums. Keep your teeth healthy and strong by munching some pineapples.
- Reduce blood pressure
Among other vitamins and minerals, pineapples contain a great deal of potassium. Potassium is a strong natural vasodilator, meaning it eases the tension of the blood vessels and promotes proper blood circulation to various parts of the body. As your blood vessels relax, your blood pressure reduces and the flow of blood is less restricted. So, pineapples can help prevent such conditions as stroke and atherosclerosis.
- Improve digestion
Have slight digestion problems? You can fix it by adding some pineapple to your regular diet. Bromelain, dietary fiber, and vitamin C – all present in pineapples – promote better digestion.
- Improve gut health
Did you know that the bacteria outnumber our cells 10 to 1? And most of them happen to reside in our guts, meaning keeping a healthy gut flora is essential. Pineapples have proved to sooth inflammatory bowel diseases by reducing gut inflammation and preventing diarrhea. Also, it helps digesting protein-rich foods like steak better.
- Relieve nausea
A glass of pineapple juice can help you beat morning nausea for pregnant women. Also, anyone suffering from motion sickness can drink a few glasses of pineapple juice before heading to the airport or sneak a bottle for a long bus trip.
- A great solution for acne
In this case, pineapples can be used both externally and internally to improve your skin condition, thanks to the great anti-inflammatory qualities of vitamin C, bromelain and special enzymes. Mix it with some turmeric and you have an amazing natural mask to treat your face.
- Help treating foot cracks
Been hitting the road for too long? Treat your feet with a pineapple scrub to get some soothing relief for inflammation and swelling, triggered by the cracks and make your feet smooth and radiant.
- Strengthen your nails
If your organism lacks vitamin A and B, your nails are likely to break and crack a lot.To keep your nails strong and healthy, use pineapple. A source of both, it could be applied topical and munched regularly.
- Cure chapped lips
Mix pineapple with coconut oil to sooth chapped skin and hydrate it properly. It’s healthy and tasty at the same time, so no worries if you lick off some mixture before it soaks.
- Prevent hair loss and make it thicker
Vitamin C antioxidant properties are a powerful mean against free radicals that damage hair growth. Pineapple extracts, when applied to the scalp, are known to provide vital nutrients to the follicles to make your hair grow better, thicker, and more shiny.
- Improve fertility
As free radicals can damage the reproductive system, getting a regular intake of antioxidants pineapples is highly recommended for couples trying to conceive.Vitamin C, beta-carotene, copper and the other vitamins and minerals present can positively affect both male and female fertility.
- Help your body produce more energy
Manganese, which is abundant in pineapples, is a key co-factor boosting the creation of enzymes that a responsible for production of energy within your body.
- Prevent asthma
Beta-carotene is found in pineapples can lower the risk of asthma.Pineapples also help to detox your organism from harmful substances and reduce inflammation levels caused by stress, pollution and poor nutrition.
- Help with your mental health
Pineapple is full of amino acid tryptophan that your body uses to produce serotonin – the “happy hormone”.Getting enough amino acid, along with other nutrients like vitamin B is essential to keep your neurological system up and running smoothly – for enough energy and positive mood hormones.
Financial Benefits
With the world population expected to grow by another 2 billion by 2050, the demand for food is continuously increasing. The UN already warned that in order to avoid mass global unrest, food production must increase by 60% by 2050.
Personal income growth, especially in new growth economies like China, India and Latin America, has increased global demand for a wider variety of crops. The aspiration to healthier lifestyles and diets also boosts the demand for nutritious, organic and diverse superfoods.
Global sales from pineapples exports by country amounted to US$2 billion in 2016.
Overall, the value of pineapples exports were up by an average 17.7% for all exporting countries since 2012 when pineapples shipments were valued at $1.7 billion. Year over year, the value of global pineapples exports appreciated in value by 16.2% from 2015 to 2016.
Among continents, Latin American (excluding Mexico) and Caribbean countries accounted for the highest dollar worth of pineapples exports during 2015 with shipments valued at $1 million or 51.1% of global pineapples exports. Panama exported $21.7 million worth of pineapples in 2016, which amounted to 1.1% of total pineapples exports.
In wholesale prices, the global pineapple market grew to $ 14.9 billion in 2016. Over the past nine years, the market has grown on average by 3.3% per year