The exotic pineapple was brought to Europe from South America in the times of Christopher Columbus. It was originally a sign of prestige and featured only in lavish banquets. Nowadays, pineapples can be easily acquired and they are popular around the world for their sweet and fresh taste, and also for their health benefits.
In Central and South America, where this fruit is believed to originate from, it has been known for centuries for its positive effects on digestion and its anti-inflammatory properties.
The anti-inflammatory effect is attributed to the action of bromelain, which is an enzyme and a powerful antioxidant. Many studies to date looked at bromelain’s functions. It has been suggested that it alleviates joint pain, arthritis, reduces inflammation, inhibits tumor growth and shortens recovery time after surgeries.
Bromelain is one of the most popular supplements in Germany, where it has been recognized for its potential in reducing inflammation and swelling of the nose and sinuses, most commonly after a surgery or injury. Bromelain kills bacteria and fights infections. You can read more about the healing benefits of pineapple and how to use it to treat many ailments in my post on how to use pineapple as a medicine.
Pineapple is also rich in vitamin C. One cup of pure juice contains 50% of your recommended daily intake. If you eat fresh pineapple chunks, one cup will provide you with 131% of your vitamin C needs for the day. Vitamin C is an important vitamin and an antioxidant. It keeps your body healthy and strong by maintaining the bones, muscles and blood vessels.
Pineapple contains some other important nutrients too, including vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, manganese and potassium. It is an amazing source of essential vitamins and minerals.
When it comes to treating persistent cough and cold, pineapple juice can soothe a sore throat and helps to cough out all the stubborn mucus. One study that compared over-the-counter cough syrup and pineapple extract showed that pineapple was five times more effective. Patients recovered 4.8 times quicker when taking the natural pineapple remedy, and had an overall improvement in their cold symptoms.
In 2010, a group of Indian scientists looked into different treatments for tuberculosis. They discovered that a mixture of pineapple juice, raw honey, pepper and salt helped to dissolve the mucus in the patient’s lungs.
When you reach for pineapple juice as your healing modality, it is important to get unprocessed natural juice. Store-bought brands often contain a lot of sugar and not much real fruit. If you have a juicer at home, the best option is to make your own fresh juice. Just follow this simple recipe:
- 1 cup of fresh pineapple juice
- A quarter of a cup of fresh lemon juice
- Some fresh ginger
- A tablespoon of raw organic honey
- Half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- You can also add some turmeric (this will help with your digestion)
Mix all the ingredients and drink two to three times a day. Now you have your own cough remedy with no toxic chemicals added.
Pineapple is also one of the ingredients in my digestive enzyme detox smoothie which will help your digestive system to do it’s important role.
You can find more recipes and helpful information about how to detox safely in my e-book The Detox Guide, where you will find how to cleanse and energize your body, increase stamina and improve your body’s digestive process.
Jenny Hills
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