Health & Living: Never Again Should You Throw Away Pineapple Peels
4 min read
Pineapple is a tropical fruit that’s delicious when ripe. The succulent fruit is covered with a tough, inedible skin which is the pineapple peel. Most people throw away the pineapple peel and consider it useless. However, pineapple peels have been proven to be very helpful as they are medically beneficial.
It can be eaten raw, boiled, or soaked in water for various purposes. Read on to find out the nutritional values of pineapple peels in this article that would stop you from trashing them.
The peel or back of Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and other helpful compounds that contribute to its medicinal properties. Here are some potential health benefits of pineapple peel:
* Enhances digestion
Taking the water gotten from boiled pineapple peels aids in the digestion process. These peels contain bromelain enzymes that aid the breakdown of proteinous foods, thereby improving digestion.
* Enhanced sexual performance
The juice gotten from boiled pineapple peel can serve as an aphrodisiac for sexual performance. Pineapple peel contains potassium which ensures the proper flow of blood through the arteries during intimacy. Pineapple peel juice ensures proper blood flow from the heart to the penis, which keeps it turgid and long-lasting during sex.
The bromelain contained in pineapple peel also boosts the testosterone in men and enhances both men’s and women’s sex drive.
* Relieves cough and catarrh
Pineapple peels contain anti-inflammatory agents that aid in combating cough and catarrh. It does this by reducing the mucous blocking your airways which could cause inflammation. It is also rich in vitamin C, which strengthens the body’s immunity to recover from flu and common colds.
* May improve female fertility
Taking pineapple peel days after ovulation might help thicken the lining of the uterus, thereby increasing the chances of pregnancy. It also enhances the level of fertility in women because it contains bromelain, an anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulation (blood-thinning) agent that can improve implantation by increasing blood flow to the uterus. However, research supporting this benefit has not been established.
* Promotes healthy skin
The vitamin C and surplus amino acid present in pineapple peel help to smoothen the skin and make it glow. Pineapple peel also contains manganese which eliminates dead skin and reduces aging. The bromelain enzyme from pineapple peel was also found to improve oral health by restricting the growth of Streptococcus mutans
* Promotes sound sleep
Taking pineapple peel juice before sleeping can relax your nerves, thereby making you fall easily asleep. The magnesium present in pineapple peel modifies your blood pressure and also relaxes your muscles to make you feel relaxed.
* Protects against cancer
A 2017 study found out that pineapple peel was a potential source of antioxidant compounds. They found out that pineapple back or peels contained phenolic compounds, ferulic acid, and vitamin A and C, which exhibited antioxidant activities. This means that pineapple peels might help protect the body against cancer. Another study found out that pineapple peels was effective in combating alcohol-induced oxidative stress.
* Destroys intestinal worm
The bromelain present in pineapple is an active enzyme that helps in eradicating intestinal worms such as tapeworms. A 2016 study demonstrated that bromelain from pineapple peel could destroy gastrointestinal worms.
Boiling and consuming pineapple can help to improve your dental health and keep them healthy. This is as a result of its inflammation properties that helps to fight bacteria in our mouth thereby leading to the health of our gums and teeth.
In addition manganese in pineapple peels are very essential in promoting the health of our gums and teeth. It helps to strengthen and repair them.
* Improves Digestion
Pineapples are very beneficial when it comes to digestion. It contains high levels of bromelain enzyme which is very helpful in the breakdown of protein foods as well as improve the processes of your digestive system.
Consuming this healthy fruit helps to relieve digestive and stomach problems like bloating, constipation etc.
* Helps To Reduce Inflammation
Pineapple is packed with lots of bromelain enzyme and antioxidants that helps to combat inflammation. They also help our wounds to heal faster by removing damaged cells from our body and breaks down protein that trap fluids in the tissues after an injury.
* Fights Arthritis
Anti inflammatory property in pineapple called bromelain has the ability to fight and reduce risk of rheumatoid arthritis (swelling in the joints) by reducing the swelling.
Several medical studies have stated that pineapple peel might possess antimalarial, anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.
How to prepare it
1. Wash the pineapple, cut off the crown and separate the pulp from the peel.
2. Pour some water into the pot. Put the pineapple peel with some small pieces of pineapple pulp and allow it to boil.
3. After boiling, allow it to simmer and cool.
4. Once cooled, add a glass of water in it and squeeze in the juice of 1 lemon.
5. Add the quantity of honey you want.
6. Then filter the mixture, taking only the liquid part.
Your pineapple peel drink is ready to be served.
· Culled from healthguide.ng
