|
Pineapple (Ananas comosus)
-
The
pineapple is the second most popular tropical fruit. Bananas are the
first.
-
Christopher Columbus first introduced the fruit to Europe in 1493 on the
second voyage to the new world.
-
Almost a
third of the world's production of pineapples is from Hawaii.
-
The
pineapple can be grown from a crown. These take about 18 months
from planting to harvesting.
-
The
pineapple has vitamins, minerals, fibre and enzymes.
-
Pineapple
contains enzymes from the bromelain group of enzymes. These aid the
digestion of protein. You can read more about this on one of the links
below.
-
Bromelain
helps the healing process for muscle injury in athletes. See the BBC
link below.
-
Tinned
pineapple doesn't contain any bromelain enzymes. This is because the
heat used in the canning process destroys it all. So the tradition of
adding a pineapple ring with a gammon steak to help digestion, can't
actually work, unless fresh pineapple is used. It doesn't really help
the dead pig either!
-
Pineapples
are a good source of Vitamin C
-
Pineapples
have minimal fat and sodium.
Links
-
"Bromelain
is a proteolytic enzyme (an enzyme that digests proteins) found in fresh
pineapple. It is often used to treat muscle injuries and as a digestive
aid."
-
http://www.worldhealth.net/...
-
The
Versatility of the Pineapple ... "When athletes injure their muscles
they should eat fresh pineapple, because the enzyme bromelain, as well
as other nutrients, aid the healing process by breaking down the
affected tissue. Some bromelain can be absorbed into the blood plasma
without being broken down, and therefore can affect muscle, tendons and
other tissues ... "
-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/...
-
PINEAPPLES: NATURE'S HEALING FRUIT
-
http://www.all-creatures.org/...
-
"Blue Skies Organic Collective Association (BSOC),
Pineapple Growers, Ghana"
-
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/.../blue_skies_products
|
|
pineapple
|
