15+ Surprising Health Benefits of Drinking Pineapple Juice

Pineapple health juice benefits include immune booster and inflammation fighter, helps to detoxify the body and mind, incredibly great for vision, regulates blood pressure, cancer protective, strengthens gums, promotes healthy digestion, treats ulcerative colitis, good for arthritic patients, reduces menstrual cramps, supports healthy skin, cures Asthma, Cough, and Sinusitis, strengthens the bones and prevents signs of aging.

Once, the pineapple was served only at the royal banquets due to its exoticism, scarcity, and novelty. Now, it’s a whole different story – you could find this tropical fruit in any every supermarket.

Love pineapple? Rejoice! Multiple studies found that pineapple offers a myriad of health benefits in the form of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and C, bromelain, manganese, copper, potassium, beta-carotene, folic acid, and dietary fibers. In fact, it can even cut the cancer risk!

Here, we’ve made up a list of the most awesome reasons to drink more pineapple juice.

Pineapple Juice Nutrient Profile

Here’s a look at what just 1 cup (8 oz or 250 g) of unsweetened canned pineapple juice contains:

  • Energy: 132 Cal
  • Water: 215 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Calcium: 32 mg
  • Iron: 0.78 mg
  • Magnesium: 30 mg
  • Manganese: 1.26 mg
  • Phosphorus: 20 mg
  • Potassium: 325 mg
  • Sodium: 5 mg
  • Vitamin A: 12 IU
  • Folate: 45 mcg
  • Vitamin C: 25 mg
  • Choline: 8.2 mg

15 Pineapple Juice Health Benefits

1. Immune Booster and Inflammation fighter

Bursting with the ‘Immunity Vitamin’ – Vitamin C, pineapple juice helps increase granulocyte count in the blood. Granulocytes – Basophils, Eosinophils, and Neutrophils – are the white blood cells responsible for fighting off viruses and bacteria. Also, high levels of essential and non-essential amino acids, antioxidants, and Vitamin A in pineapple juice help reduce inflammation.

2. Helps to detoxify the body and mind

Because it is loaded with antioxidants and proteolytic enzyme – Bromelain, pineapple juice is a good detox drink. Pineapple has a long-standing history as a digestive aid, a potent cleanser that alkalizes the body, and a metabolism booster.

The B vitamins present in pineapple stimulate brain functioning and reduce stress and strain. In addition, pineapple contains Tryptophan – an amino acid involved in Serotonin (happy hormone) production.

3. Incredibly great for vision

Regular consumption of pineapple juice means reduced risk of developing cataract and macular degeneration. Vitamin C and antioxidants present in pineapple counteract opacification of the ocular lens that eventually results in cloudiness and vision loss. Beta-carotene, Vitamin A, potassium, and manganese fight off cell damage that leads to macular degeneration in the elderly.

4. It is a heart-healthy drink

Include pineapple juice in your diet and your heart will thank you. Because of its potassium and bromelain content, pineapple prevents blood clotting, eases the tension of the blood vessels, promotes circulation, and improves cardiovascular health. It will also protect from heart attacks and strokes.

Pineapple also contains copper, an essential mineral in red blood cell (RBC) formation. RBCs carry oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the body.

5. Regulates Blood Pressure

A how sodium-low potassium diet leads to hypertension. Potassium helps you balance the amount of water in your body. Also, it is good for your blood pressure. And pineapple is among the fruits with the lowest sodium content. A cup of pineapple juice has about 1 mg sodium and 195 mg potassium. That’s why nutritionists suggest pineapple juice for people with hypertension.

6. It is cancer protective

Pineapple can offer protection from cancer by acting, literally, as a bolster. Vitamin C, Bromelain, flavonoids, and other antioxidants present in the fruit combat free radicals, but the hero that makes pineapple an anti-cancerous food is manganese. Manganese is the co-factor involved in the production of superoxide dismutase enzyme that helps to break down free radicals in the body.

Bromelain has superior cytotoxicity to the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil, says the animal studies. The high fiber content of pineapple is also said to lower the risk of colorectal cancer.

7. Strengthen your gums

Dentists recommend consuming fresh pineapple or pineapple juice a few days prior to and after dental surgery to prevent swelling, bruising, and inflammation. Bromelain and Vitamins C and K reduce inflammation and help with wound healing. The astringents present in pineapple can tighten up gum tissues and even fix teeth loosening or retracted gums.

Bromelain can remove stains and break up plaque. In addition, the manganese in pineapple promotes overall oral health.

8. Promotes healthy digestion

Have pineapple along with the meal, bromelain may help to breakdown complex proteins. This, in turn, potentially fastens digestion and reduces bloating or indigestion. It’s no secret that soluble and insoluble dietary fiber load is crucial for digestion. And, pineapple juice offers a decent amount of fiber required for proper digestion. Additionally, the fiber content can keep your gut healthy, preventing constipation, gas build-up, and diarrhea.

Many studies have proved its effectiveness in treating E. coli infection in the stomach as well.

9. Treats ulcerative colitis

Some research also suggests that bromelain can reduce the incidence and intensity of colitis, irritable bowel disorder (IBD) in mice. It does so by interfering with the pathways that produce cytokines, the signaling proteins that mediate and regulate inflammation and immunity. Consume pineapple juice to decrease the inflammation and swelling in your large intestine and colon.

10. Good for arthritic patients

Bromelain seems to help reduce arthritis pain. A study published in Evidence-Based Complement Alternative Medicine looked at 28 subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee. The researchers found that when the subjects were given varying doses of bromelain, they had a significant reduction in soft tissue swelling, pain and/or joint stiffness. Surprisingly, no adverse effects were reported, which is a great relief.

Bromelain reduces inflammation, edema, and pain by lowering the levels of cytokines and bradykinin, the inflammatory agents.

11. Reduces Menstrual Cramps

Dysmenorrhea or painful period is the result of uterine contractions triggered by a group of lipids called prostaglandins. Bromelain decreases PGE2 (causes the contraction) levels while increasing PGE1 levels (PGE1 relaxes the smooth muscles of the uterus). While bromelain capsules work faster, drinking pineapple juice also help reduce the cramps.

12. Pineapple juice supports healthy skin

Pineapple is rich in manganese (about 75% of the RDI per cup). This mineral, along with vitamin C, is required for synthesizing collagen – a structural component of skin that prevents sagging and wrinkles, strengthens joints, and increases skin hydration.

Manganese also functions as an antioxidant to protect skin cells from UV damage. One more reason to consume pineapple juice especially during summer.

13. Cures Asthma, Cough, and Sinusitis

Pineapple juice may also be a boon to cure asthma, based on the results of a study done on 82 subjects suffering from Bronchial asthma. The researchers found that 90 days of consuming pineapple juice has significantly improved the Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) value of the subjects. PEFR is nothing but the maximum speed of expiration of an individual.

Bromelain can also dilute the mucus and improves expectoration rate. Decongesting the nasal passage is helpful to reduce sinusitis-related cold and cough.

14. Strengthen the bones

Magnesium and manganese deficiency has direct links with osteoporosis. Since pineapple is a rich source of these minerals, it can improve bone health and prevent osteoporosis. In fact, the combination of magnesium, manganese, calcium, copper, and zinc can reduce spinal bone loss in post-menopausal women.

Manganese deficiency affects the cartilage and bone development as well. Hence it might be a good idea to lean on a glass of pineapple juice (read: daily) for strong bones.

15. Prevents signs of aging

Pineapple juice is rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene. You’re probably well aware that Vitamin C not only boosts immunity, but repairs tissues, promotes collagen synthesis, acts as an antioxidant, and protects skin against premature aging.

16. Helps you lose weight

Pineapple juice may also have an effect on your waistline: with no unhealthy fat, low calorie, and lots of water, it is an excellent drink to stay fit. It also contains a good amount of fiber. One study found that subjects who are vitamin C deficient burn 25% lesser calories during gym sessions. Plus, less vitamin C in the circulation is said to increase body fat and waist size.

Include fresh pineapple or pineapple juice in the meals if you are low on Vitamin C. One cup of pineapple meets more than 100% of your RDI for Vitamin C.

17. Increases chances of conception

Another promising benefit: Pineapple contains copper, zinc, and folate, the minerals related to fertility. Researchers also link bromelain with positive effects of conception. In fact, some studies also mentioned that pineapple juice can increase sperm mobility.

Know this: too much consumption before ovulation may cause an opposite effect due to bromelain’s blood thinning property.

Can diabetic people consume pineapple juice?

Being diabetic doesn’t mean you should shy away from pineapple juice. Rich in fiber and vitamins, one cup of fresh pineapple contains about 2.3 grams of fiber, almost 99% insoluble. Insoluble fibers, in fact, are known for reducing the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Considering Pineapple’s GI (Glycemic Index) ranking of 59, the word here is ‘moderation’.

Note: Including canned, sweetened pineapple juice is a definite no-no!

Beware of Bromelain allergy

  • Go easy if you’re allergic to wheat, celery, papaya or latex because you might be allergic to bromelain too. Bromelain can cause mild headaches to skin rash, flatulence, diarrhea, and nausea in certain individuals.
  • While pineapple is good for people with ulcerative colitis, those with stomach ulcers shouldn’t consume pineapple.
  • Pineapple juice may increase the risk of bleeding in people who are on blood thinners. Pineapple is also said to enhance the effects of antibiotics, which is harmful to the body.

To sum things up, pineapple juice is undoubtedly delicious, nutritious and offers many health benefits. And, consuming it in moderation is the key to good health.

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About Rinkesh

A true environmentalist by heart ❤️. Founded Conserve Energy Future with the sole motto of providing helpful information related to our rapidly depleting environment. Unless you strongly believe in Elon Musk‘s idea of making Mars as another habitable planet, do remember that there really is no 'Planet B' in this whole universe.