Tropical Treat Eases Digestion and Calms Inflammation

Summer is almost here.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some ripe, juicy fruit.

There’s one in particular that I love adding to my summer meals.

I especially enjoy grilling it along with my BBQ chicken.

And the best part?

With every bite, I’m getting a dose of nutrients that prevent disease, reduce inflammation, and more.

I’m talking about delicious pineapple.

Loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients, this tropical treat comes with many health benefits:

• Thanks to the enzyme bromelain, eating pineapple prevents constipation and promotes regularity. Bromelain aids in digestion and reduces inflammation in the digestive tract.
• Bromelain and other protective compounds in pineapple reduce cancer risk by combating oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.
• One cup of pineapple provides about 88 percent of your daily requirement for free-radical-fighting vitamin C, critical for immune function, collagen production, wound healing, iron absorption, and more.
• One cup of pineapple also provides more than half of the daily requirement of the mineral manganese, vital for regulating blood sugar, reducing inflammation, promoting healthy bones, and boosting healthy immunity.
• With its rich supply of potassium, vitamin C, and fiber, pineapple also supports heart health.

Now, as beneficial as pineapples are, I still advise eating them in moderation.

As with all fruit, pineapple contains fructose, which can contribute to metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and even arthritis pain (newsletter subscribers, be sure to check out your June issue, where I will discuss this link further) when you consume too much.

It’s also better to eat whole pineapples, instead of just drinking the juice. The fiber in the fruit prevents the sugar from entering your bloodstream as fast.

Not sure how to pick the perfect pineapple at the store? Look for these three signs of ripeness:

1. First, gently squeeze it—it should yield slightly to pressure without being soft.
2. Second, smell the bottom of the fruit—a sweet, fragrant aroma indicates ripeness.
3. Third, check the color—look for a golden-yellow hue spreading from the base (green is fine, but avoid pineapples that are completely pale green or have brown, soft spots).

The leaves should also look fresh, not dried out or brown-tipped. A ripe pineapple will reward you with the sweetest flavor and maximum nutritional benefits.

So, this summer, I’ll enjoy fresh pineapple in moderation as part of my healthy eating plan—whether grilled alongside chicken, diced into a refreshing salsa, or simply sliced as a juicy snack. I hope you’ll join me in savoring this tropical powerhouse that tastes like sunshine while supporting your health from the inside out.

P.S. “Fruit Bowl” secret fights metabolic syndrome.

View Sources

Hikisz P, Bernasinska-Slomczewska J. Beneficial Properties of Bromelain. Nutrients. 2021 Nov 29;13(12):4313. doi: 10.3390/nu13124313. PMID: 34959865; PMCID: PMC8709142.