Pineapples - a Superfood

While all fruits and vegetables are good for you, some are so exceptionally high in nutrients with targeted health benefits that they belong in a class of their own: Superfoods.
The concept of nutrition powerhouses creates superfoods based on those vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes that help support the function and protect the health of your eyes, heart, immune system, skin, bones joints and your brain.
The wealth of scientific knowledge on health and nutrition can be overwhelming and so this book is an attempt to make you identify foods which can help you meet specific health concerns. Whether it’s a matter of improving your memory, your brain or your complexion - there are superfoods to address these concerns. It is also important to identify superfoods that score highest in various categories such as those that neutralize free radicals, and thus defend against DNA damage and some negative effects of aging.
Pineapples are a superfood for your joints because they are a top source of bromelain, an enzyme that helps support joint health. Several studies have shown bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties that may alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis.
In the British Review researchers looked at ten studies examining bromelain’s effects on osteoarthritis of the knee and found significant relief of pain and swelling. As a proteolytic enzyme, research also shows bromelain acts to "clean up" dead cells after injury or joint stress, thereby helping to restore normal function.
A bonus feature is that bromelain also helps reduce inflammation associated with asthma and may even inhibit the growth of malignant cells in both lung and breast cancer, while the phenolic compounds in pineapple also provide a protective benefit.
In a Review of Clinical Studies, bromelain was considered a treatment for osteoarthritis. The extract from the pineapple plant has been demonstrated to show anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and may provide a safer alternative or adjunctive treatment for osteoarthritis. All previous trials, which have been uncontrolled or comparative studies, indicate its potential use for the treatment of osteoarthritis. This paper reviews the mechanism of its putative therapeutic actions, those clinical trials that have assessed its use in osteoarthritis to date, as well as considering the safety implications of this supplement for osteoarthritis and reviewing the evidence to date regarding the dosage for treating this condition. The data available at present indicate the need for trials to establish the efficacy and optimum dosage for bromelain and the need for adequate prospective adverse event monitoring in such chronic conditions as osteoarthritis.

Don’t be intimidated by the selection and preparation of a pineapple. Look for a golden-copper look if you are going to use it within a day or two. Pineapple slicer and coring tools are available and make it easy to core and slice the pineapple with a twisting device that produces perfect circles like those found in canned pineapple. You can even use the cored pineapple as a decorative container for fruit smoothies.