Pineapple Fruit Extract

Indigenousness and History of Pineapple

The genus Ananas is recognized among Bromeliaceae by the characteristic inflorence, which is fused into a syncarp, a unique dense rosette of scape-wide leaves and medium to large fruits. Cultivated pineapple was first described and named karatas or ananas at the end of the 17th century by Charles Plumier on the island Hispaniola part of Antilles (located between Cuba to the west and Puerto Rico to the east).

Pineapple fruit was brought to Europe from South America by Christopher Columbus and very fast became popular as exotic and extravagancy fruit served on the most elegant and lavish banquets. Pinneapple cultivation expanded from South and Central America over South-East Asia, Australia, and Africa, today. Pineapple became so popular because of very pleasant taste. This made this fruit to became 6^th top selling fruit by value with global annual pineapple production of 26 million ton. The good taste is not the only aset of pineapple fruit. It consumption rises due to numerous helth benefts.

Pineapple Nutritional Constituents

Pineapple fruit provides numerous nutrients.

One cup of fresh pineapple chunks contains approximatelyTrusted Source:

• 82 calories
• 0.2 grams (g) of fat
• 0 g of cholesterol
• 2 milligrams (mg) of sodium
• 21.65 g of total carbohydrate (including 16 grams of sugar and 2.3 grams of fiber)
• 0.89 g of protein

As a percentage of your daily requirements, the same amount of fresh pineapple chunks provides:

• 131 percent of vitamin C
• 2 percent of vitamin A
• 2 percent of calcium
• 3 percent of iron

Pineapple is also a source of important vitamins and minerals, including:

• thiamin
• riboflavin
• vitamin B-6
• folate
• pantothenic acid
• magnesium
• manganese
• potassium
• beta-carotene and other antioxidants

Fresh pineapple is the only known source of an enzyme called bromelain, which might play a role in a range of different health benefits.

Pineapple benefits

Eating fruits and vegetables of all types has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like pineapples decreases the risk of obesity, overall mortality, diabetes, and heart disease. It also promotes a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, and an overall lower weight.

• Consuming pineapple can help in a number of health situations, including asthma and diabetes
• One cup of pineapple provides 82 calories and 131 percent of your daily vitamin C requirement
• Pineapple added to various dishes and salads "smooths" and makes their taste more attractive
• Only ripe fruits should be harvested, because after picking they will not ripen

Pineapple Proteolytic Properties

Proteolytic action is an enzymatic action consisting in breaking down the peptide bonds of proteins between specific amino acids from which they are built. Long protein and peptide chains are broken down into smaller parts. Enzymes that have a proteolytic effect are called proteases.

The main and unique ingredient in pineapple is the proteolytic enzyme* bromelain, and in fact it is a group of at least 5 sulfhydryl (thiol) enzymes, not one enzyme. Studies have shown that bromelaia contained in pineapple can reduce swelling, bruising (ecchymosis), shorten healing time and reduce pain associated with injury and / or surgical intervention. Currently, bromelain is used for injuries/inflammation of tendons, fascia, ligaments and other minor muscle injuries. Bromelain is also used in edema associated with an ear, nose, throat injury caused by surgery or other injury.

* Proteolytic enzymes - that is, breaking down protein. These are cysteine ​​proteases (otherwise known as thiol or sulfhydryl proteases) – containing a sulfhydryl (thiol) group of cysteine ​​(-SH) in the active center in the immediate vicinity of the imidazole ring.

Improving Fertility

Antioxidant-rich diets have been shown to improve fertility. Because free radicals can damage the reproductive system, foods with high antioxidant activity like pineapples are recommended for those trying to conceive. The antioxidants in pineapple, such as vitamin C and beta-carotene, and the vitamins and minerals copper, zinc, and folate have properties that affect both male and female fertility.

Diabetes

Studies have shown that individuals with type 1 diabetes who consume high-fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels, and individuals with type 2 diabetes may have improved blood sugar, lipids, and insulin levels. One medium pineapple provides about 13 grams of fiber.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 21-25 grams per day for women and 30-38 grams per day for men.

Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-related Macular Degeneration (abbrev. AMD) – is a chronic, progressive eye disease that occurs in people over 50 years of age. As a result of this disease, the retina is damaged (especially its central part - the macula), which leads to deterioration, defects, and often complete loss of central vision, and consequently to blindness. Consumption of large amounts of fruit (3 or more meals per day) has been shown to reduce the risk of AMD development and progression.

Respiratory conditions

The risks for developing asthma are lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients is beta-carotene, found in plant foods like pineapple, mangoes, papaya, apricots, broccoli, cantaloupe, pumpkin, and carrots.

In a clinical study of 124 patients hospitalized with chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, bronchiectasis, or pulmonary abscess, those receiving bromelain orally showed a decrease in the volume and purulence of the sputum.

Antibiotic Potentiation

Antibiotic potentiation is one of the primary uses of bromelain in several foreign countries. In humans, bromelain has been documented to increase blood and urine levels of anti-biotics. Combined bromelain and antibiotic therapy has been shown to be more effective than antibiotics alone in a variety of conditions, including pneumonia, bronchitis, cutaneous Staphylococcus infection, thrombophlebitis, cellulitis, pyelonephritis, perirectal and rectal abscesses, and sinusitis.

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