We are all familiar with the impressive benefits of superfoods like pomegranates, acai berries, and blueberries; however, there is a new superfood on the scene! Refreshing and delicious, pineapple is the newest fruit proven to provide many health benefits. Pineapple water benefits have been shown to include antioxidant protection, protection against macular degeneration, and help with energy production through manganese and thiamin.
This sweet and juicy fruit has been beloved for centuries and received its name, pineapple, because its prickly exterior resembles the shape of a pinecone. Pineapple water has been getting a lot of exposure on the health food watch lately, and there is no wonder why.
Rich in essential vitamins and nutrients, pineapple water has no added sugar and is a great way to flight inflammation, stimulate and protect the liver, and stay hydrated.
Below you will find instructions on how to make pineapple water so you, too, can benefit from drinking this healthy drink daily. Easy to prepare, this delicious water is the perfect way to start out the day!
How to Make Pineapple Water
Making pineapple water is very simple and can be made in a large batch to last throughout the day. Simply cut pineapple into chunks, removing rind. Fill a jug with chilled water and ice, and add the chunks of pineapple.
Let the water chill in the fridge for a few hours to give the pineapple time to infuse the water.
Another way to make pineapple-infused water is to cut the pineapple in half and remove the rind, but do not discard the rind. Boil a liter of water on the stovetop, cut the pineapple into chunks, and add to the pot of boiling water.
Add rind into the water as well for extra infused flavor and let boil for 20 mins. Allow mixture to rest and cool for 15 mins, then strain liquid into a pitcher and allow to cool in fridge until cold.
You can also add other healthy, fresh ingredients into your pineapple water to give it more health-boosting power. For example, a cinnamon stick or a twig of rosemary would complement the pineapple flavor nicely and add many health benefits.
The health benefits of drinking pineapple water are varied, yet scientifically proven to help with a wide range of health problems.
To fully reap the benefits of pineapple water, it is recommended to drink it in the morning on an empty stomach. Start your day with a glass of the refreshing water to better absorb the nutrients.
After eating, the benefits of pineapple water and its purifying and anti-inflammatory action can be impeded by other nutrients.
Pineapple Nutrition Facts
One of the most popular tropical fruits in the world, pineapples are a good source of many nutrients, such as vitamin C, manganese, copper and folate.
Pineapples are also the only source of the plant compound bromelain. Bromelain is associated with many benefits, such as enhanced immune function, better gut health, improved wound healing, and cancer prevention.
Fresh pineapples contain 50 calories per 100 grams, which equals only 83 calories per cup. They consist of 86% water and 13% carbohydrates with almost no protein or fat. (1)
For a Serving Size of 165g
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Daily values may differ on an individual bases, therefore your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Pineapple Water Health Benefits
1. Pineapple Water Combats Inflammation
Pineapple is a fruit highly regarded for its ability to fight inflammation thanks to the enzyme, bromelain, which can be found in high amounts in the fruit.
Bromelain helps fight inflammation by destroying the toxins that attack the tissue and cause pain, edema, and fluid retention. Drink pineapple water to relieve symptoms of arthritis or other types of pain or discomfort in the joints such as sports injuries.
Thanks to the high amount of bromelain in pineapple, the tropical fruit also flushes out toxins. When pineapple juice is consumed, the liver and intestines get flushed out, and you are left feeling less bloated. (2)
2. Pineapple Water for Weight Loss
Those looking to lose a little weight will want to stick to a pineapple water diet, and make it a staple in their daily food allowance.
Pineapple is high in fiber, which means it takes a longer time for the digestive system to break it down. As a result, you will feel fuller longer; and when you drink pineapple water on an empty stomach, you will experience fewer cravings for sugars and fats.
Pineapple water for weight loss is a great idea to help curb those sugar cravings and to help stay hydrated throughout the day! Try doing a pineapple water detox to flush out any impurities, and shed some extra pounds easily and with added health benefits!
3. Rich Source of Vitamin C
High in vitamin C, pineapple water is a great way to combat against the severity of many conditions. Vitamin C, the body’s primary water-soluble antioxidant, helps defend the body against free radicals that attack and damage normal cells.
Free radicals have been shown to promote the plaque build-up on arteries in those with conditions such as diabetic heart disease, which causes the airway to spasm and lead to asthma attacks.
They can also damage the cells of the colon by turning them into colon cancer cells and can contribute to the joint pain and disability in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Fruits rich in vitamin C such as pineapple are vital for the proper function of the immune system to help fight against any free radicals thatcan cause a variety of health problems, including cold and flu.
Other Health benefits of Pineapple Water
- Higher energy production through the trace mineral manganese.
- A great source of the mineral, pineapple water helps restore manganese in our mitochondria, (the energy production factories within our cells).
- Rich in thiamin, a B vitamin that is also central to energy production.
So, drink pineapple water daily to recharge your energy amounts and feel more awake throughout the day!
Pineapples are a complex pile of many flowers whose individual fruitlets join together around a central core. Each fruitlet can be identified on the pineapple as an ‘eye,’ the rough spikes on the pineapple’s surface.
The area closest to the base of the fruit has a more tender texture with more sugar content and, therefore, a sweeter taste.
The popular fruit has an exceptional juice content and a vibrant tropical flavor that helps to balance the tastes of sweet and tart. Although the season for pineapples is from March to June, the fruit is available year-round in local markets. So pick one up today and make a jug of this super healing pineapple water!
Related:
- Is Pineapple Acidic?
- How to Tell if a Pineapple is Ripe
- Ginger Water Benefits & How to Make It
- Honey Water: Health Benefits & Detox Recipes
- Lemon Water Before Bed: Benefits & Side Effects
Sources:
“Pineapple, Raw, all Varieties Nutrition Facts and Calories,” SELF Nutrition Data web site; http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/2019/2, last accessed January 18 2017
