It’s summer. Therefore, it’s pineapple season.
Actually, any time is a good time for pineapple, especially if you need something equally refreshing and delicious. And it only gets better when you consider its health benefits are as good as the fruit tastes.
If you’ve been accused of eating too much pineapple (we’ve been there), here are three excuses you can use to defend yourself with, justifying your pineapple-heavy diet:
It’s loaded with vitamin C
A single cup of pineapple offers more than the 100% daily requirement of vitamin C. Vitamin C is responsible for the growth and repair of tissues in your body, supports immunity, and acts as an antioxidant.
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Vitamin C can also help your waistline – one study discovered that exercisers who didn’t get enough vitamin C burned 25% fewer calories during a workout session. Vitamin C deficiency has also been linked to higher body fat and waist size.
Related: 5 Healthy Foods Synonymous with Summer
It supports healthy skin
Pineapples contain a lot of manganese. The mineral, alongside vitamin C, builds collagen – a key component of skin that prevents wrinkles and sagging.
Manganese is also an antioxidant that protects skin cells against UV damage; we told you summer is pineapple season!
It promotes healthy digestion
If you’ve tried adding pineapple to a gelatin dish, you know that they’re simply incompatible.
This is due to enzymes in pineapples called bromelain, which breaks down gelatin material into its amino acid building blocks, ensuring it never finds a solid consistency.
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Related: How to Stay Hydrated this Summer, Sans Water
These enzymes don’t just affect cooking and food, however; eating pineapple with your meal can help you digest proteins potentially reducing bloating, indigestion, and sluggishness.
Pineapple also has the dietary fiber needed to maintain bowel regularity, preventing constipation.
