Pineapple, characteristics of the plant
THEananas (Ananas comosus L.) is a species native to Central America, today cultivated in all tropical regions for the commercialization of the fruit.
La pineapple plant it belongs to the Bromeliaceae family and the infructescence has the particularity of being constituted by the fusion of various fruits.
Il pineapple fruit it is rich in carbohydrates, in particular mono and disaccharides, as well as organic acids, B vitamins, vitamin C and carotenoids.
Both the fruit and the stem also contain a set of proteolytic enzymes including bromelina, which boasts above all anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous activity.
Lesser known properties of pineapple
In addition to being a tasty and thirst-quenching fruit, thepineapple possesses numerous properties more or less known.
Being a fruit rich in vitamins, minerals, phenols and flavonoids, pineapple possesses antioxidant properties - which help the body to defend itself from the action of free radicals - e inflammatory.
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action of pineapple it is beneficial in inflammatory states, for example following acute muscle injuries that cause pain and swelling or in the case of inflammation affecting the tendons or the nasal mucosa.
Extracts obtained from the peel of the pineapple have instead antirheumatic action useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the joints.
The bromelain contained in the stem and in the fruit of the pineapple has a fibrinolytic action, that is, it favors the degradation of fibrin. This results in a decrease in venous stasis, in a 'draining action and in an increase in the permeability of blood vessels.
Preparations based on bromelain are used for topical use to promote the detachment of scabs following wounds and for facilitate healing of the skin in case of injury.
Another less known property is that of the extracts obtained from the edible part of the pineapple, which they have stimulating effect on uterine contractions and they are able, therefore, to induce the contraction of the uterus or to determine a greater tonicity of the uterus. Uterotonics are generally used to induce labor and to reduce postpartum bleeding.
The pineapple, and in particular the bromelain contained in it, finally seems exert a protective action against colorectal cancer.
Pineapple is also attributed with sexual properties such as aphrodisiac food and how fruit capable of improving the flavor of sperm: there is no scientific evidence in this regard.
