Pineapple: useful properties, harm, composition, recipes

2024 Author: Arianna Cook | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:23

The most interesting thing about pineapple. Composition and calorie content, useful properties for women, men and children. Who can and who can not eat the fruit? How to choose and cut it correctly? What to cook with tropical fruit - the best recipes for food and drinks.

Pineapple is the fruit of the perennial herb of the same name, which resembles a huge cone. There are many varieties of fruit, but all food and dessert ones belong to the large-crested Pineapple species. The homeland of this species is Brazil, from where it spread throughout the world. Today it actively grows in all countries with a tropical climate, the largest plantations are located on the Hawaiian Islands. However, until the 19th century, they tried to grow the culture in regions with inappropriate temperature conditions, for example, in Russia, special greenhouses were created in St. Petersburg. However, as soon as it became possible to deliver fruit by steamboats from tropical plantations, this practice quickly faded away. A tasty "lump" under the golden brown "armor" hides a very aromatic and sweet yellow pulp with a pleasant sourness. The great traveler Magellan described pineapple as the most delicious fruit that can only be found on earth. It is noteworthy that, speaking about this culture, we are dealing not only with a really tasty delicacy, but also with a healthy product that contains many useful substances.

Composition and calorie content of pineapple

Pictured pineapple

Pineapple is a low-calorie fruit, but it contains a lot of simple sugars, and therefore, if it is recommended on a diet, then in moderation.

The calorie content of pineapple is 52 kcal, of which:

• Proteins - 0.3 g;
• Fat -0, 1 g;
• Carbohydrates (mono- and disaccharides) - 11, 8 g;
• Organic acids (citric, tartaric, malic, etc.) - 1 g;
• Dietary fiber - 1 g;
• Ash - 0.3 g;
• Water - 85.5 g.

Pineapple contains many vitamins and minerals, the fruit is especially rich in vitamin C, silicon, manganese, copper, chromium.

Vitamins per 100 g:

• Vitamin A, RE - 3 μg;
• Beta carotene - 0.02 mg;
• Vitamin B1 - 0.06 mg;
• Vitamin B2, riboflavin - 0.02 mg;
• Vitamin B4, choline - 5.4 mg;
• Vitamin B5, pantothenic acid - 0.16 mg;
• Vitamin B6, pyridoxine - 0.1 mcg;
• Vitamin B9, folate - 5 mcg;
• Vitamin C, ascorbic acid - 11 mg;
• Vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol - 0.2 mg;
• Vitamin K, phylloquinone - 0.4 mg;
• Vitamin PP, NE - 0.4 mg;
• Niacin - 0.3 mg.

Macronutrients per 100 g:

• Potassium - 134 mg;
• Calcium - 17 mg;
• Silicon - 93 mg;
• Magnesium - 13 mg;
• Sodium - 1 mg;
• Sulfur - 5.3 mg;
• Phosphorus - 8 mg;
• Chlorine - 47 mg.

Microelements per 100 g:

• Aluminum - 29.7 mcg;
• Boron - 2.3 mcg;
• Vanadium - 4.1 mcg;
• Iron - 0.3 mg;
• Iodine - 0.6 mcg;
• Cobalt - 2.5 mcg;
• Lithium - 3 mcg;
• Manganese - 0.818 mg;
• Copper - 113 mcg;
• Molybdenum - 9, 9 mcg;
• Nickel - 20 mcg;
• Rubidium - 63 mcg;
• Selenium - 0.1 mcg;
• Strontium - 90 mcg;
• Fluorine - 4.2 mcg;
• Chromium - 10 mcg;
• Zinc - 0, 12 mg.

Fatty acids per 100 g:

• Saturated - 0.03 g;
• Omega-3 - 0.062 g;
• Omega-6 - 0, 084 g.

In addition to the above useful components, pineapple is very valuable for such a specific element as bromelain - a proteolytic enzyme with high activity that helps to digest protein foods and has many other beneficial properties. Today bromelain is actively researched by science.

Useful properties of pineapple

The most important role is played by the fetus for the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, circulatory and cardiovascular systems. It stimulates digestion, regulates metabolism, helps the pancreas, cleanses the intestines, thins the blood, reduces the likelihood of blood clots, and normalizes blood pressure. It is also effective in the treatment of various infections, since it has an anti-inflammatory effect, and is especially valuable in the fight against infections of the genitourinary system. In South America, the benefits of pineapple are actively used in traditional medicine. So, for example, in Africa with the help of it they treat edema, constipation, get rid of parasites, prepare on its basis various external means for rapid healing of wounds. In the country of Bangladesh, the sweet fruit is used to treat fevers and jaundice.

The benefits of pineapple for men

Pineapple works as an anticoagulant, it thins the blood, prevents thrombosis and cleanliness of blood vessels, and, accordingly, reduces the likelihood of developing acute cardiac conditions. Recent studies have confirmed that bromelain, for which the fetus is so valuable, has a powerful protective effect on the myocardium. For this reason, the fruit must be present in the diet of men who are known to be at risk for heart attacks.

Also, the fetus protects the joints, contributing to the synthesis of collagen, which, again, is important for a strong half of humanity, and especially for men who are engaged in hard physical labor. In addition, it should be noted that the fruit helps relieve muscle pain, which makes it very beneficial for athletes.

The high content of manganese in the fetus is of great importance, this element ensures the health of bone and connective tissue, and also improves the quality and speed of sperm.

The benefits of pineapple for women

In moderate quantities, the fruit helps to maintain a slim shape, this is due to the anti-edema effect, as well as the presence of fiber in the composition, which removes toxins and toxins from the body. In addition, pineapple is a good source of chromium, the lack of which in the body leads to sugar cravings. When this supply is replenished, the buns will no longer be so attractive and the process of losing weight will go more efficiently.

Vitamin C, which pineapple is rich in, is one of the best natural antioxidants. Antioxidants work against free radicals, which, in turn, reduces the likelihood of cell mutations, which means early aging. In addition, we have already talked about the value of vitamin C for collagen synthesis, and if for men it is important primarily for protecting joints, then for women it protects the skin from wrinkles and other signs of aging.

What else pineapple is useful for women is the ability to fight infections of the genitourinary system, which are most typical for the beautiful half of humanity.

Important! Many women believe that pineapple, or rather the bromelain contained in the composition, has a fat-burning effect due to its enzymatic action. However, despite the fact that bromelain is really an enzyme, it only helps in the breakdown of protein foods and has nothing to do with the breakdown of fats.

The benefits of pineapple for pregnant women

Pregnant women should definitely include pineapple in their diet. First of all, it should be said that, in general, it compensates very well for the vitamin and mineral imbalance, saturates the mother's body with useful components that are important for the development of the fetus.

In addition, the fruit is needed for strong immunity, the support of which is very necessary for the expectant mother, since in case of illness, not only the disease itself can affect the baby, but also the drugs that will be used for treatment.

The anti-edema effect for pregnant women is also irreplaceable; in the later stages, few women do not face this problem.

In addition, the product has a good effect on the nervous system - it raises mood, tones up, invigorates, which, again, is important in the last trimester of pregnancy, when a woman often feels tired.

The benefits of pineapple for children

The sweet fruit is valuable for the immunity of children, and this is not only about prevention, but also treatment. Due to its rich vitamin and mineral composition, the fruit is able to harden the body's immune forces and significantly reduce the likelihood of developing a particular disease.

If the child does get sick, pineapple will help to cope with the problem faster, since it has anti-inflammatory and regenerating properties. That is why it is often prescribed in the postoperative period, and, of course, not only for children.

Bromelain is also of great importance to children. Recently, it has been researched for its ability to treat allergic diseases and have had very successful results, especially with regard to asthma. Children are known to be susceptible to various allergic reactions, in view of the fact that their immune system has not yet been formed, and therefore the fetus will benefit here too.

A special plus is that the fruit is really very tasty, and therefore children are happy to "treat" it.

Contraindications and harm to pineapple

Like any other product, pineapple has not only beneficial properties, but also harmful ones. However, if the former are relevant for most of us, then the latter are meaningful only for a certain category of persons.

Pineapple harm can bring to those who:

• Suffers from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract … With mild disorders of the digestive system, the fruit helps to heal them, but if we are talking about severe pathologies, such as an ulcer, gastritis of high acidity, etc., then the product is excluded, since it can irritate the diseased mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines.
• Has dental problems … The acids contained in the fruit can have a negative effect on the tooth enamel if it is sensitive or damaged. Otherwise, there will be no negative effect, but for greater confidence, after eating the fruit, you need to rinse your mouth with clean water.
• Is in early pregnancy … Many women use a delicious fruit to prevent toxicosis and nausea, but this should be done with great care, since unripe pineapples contain large quantities of special components with an abortive effect. It is better to include the product in the diet in the second, third trimester, when the fetus is already well established, but you still need to eat it only ripe and in limited quantities in order to get only the benefits.
• Has decreased blood clotting … Pineapple thins the blood, and therefore if it already has reduced clotting characteristics, it is worth eating it in strictly limited quantities.
• Prone to allergies … Paradoxically, pineapple, which is used to treat allergies, can also cause allergies if there is an individual intolerance to the components. For this reason, allergy sufferers should try it with caution, in small quantities, the same recommendations should be followed by nursing and giving fruit to young children.

For the rest, it should be said that in moderation, pineapple will only be useful. However, do not forget that it contains a lot of fast sugars, and therefore it is better to eat it in the morning.

Keep in mind that the form in which you consume the fruit matters a lot. If you bought a fresh fruit, it will definitely be beneficial in the absence of contraindications, but if we are talking about a canned product or candied fruits soaked in sweet syrup, all the benefits come to naught and there are many more contraindications.

Note! If you have a disease that requires a therapeutic nutritional protocol, be sure to discuss with your doctor the advisability of the presence of pineapple in the diet.

How to choose a pineapple?

Choosing pineapple of optimal ripeness in the stores of our country is a real art. Often you have to deal with either unripe fruits or already spoiled ones. The problem is in fact, and in another case, not only in taste - both spoiled and unripe fruit can cause digestive upset.

So, how to choose the right pineapple:

• Hardness … The fruit itself is quite hard - both ripe and unripe, it must keep its shape, otherwise the fruit is already spoiled. To determine the optimum ripeness, take the fruit in your hands and try to mash it. If it is ripe, you will feel soft - the fruit will not rinse, but there will be no unequivocal hardness, but unripe pineapple will be too hard.
• Leaves … They should be strong and fresh in appearance, if they are yellowed, dry, with white spots, such a fruit is not worth buying. Please note that slightly dry tips are acceptable on the leaves. By the way, you can try to twist the tail of the fruit before buying it: if it doesn't give in, the fruit is definitely not ripe; if, with a slight turn, the leaves fell off - overripe. Well, if it can be slightly cranked without damage to the "crown", then ripeness is optimal.
• "The bottom" … When choosing a pineapple, it is important to look not only at the tops, but also at the roots. The underside of the fruit must be dry and free from defects. Mold can often be seen on it, of course, there will be little benefit from such a fruit. Also, white moldy stripes can often be present between the "eyes" of the fruit, in the deepened grooves - due to the fact that they are deepened, they are often not paid attention to, but this is also necessary.
• Sound … Often, pineapple, like watermelon, is chosen according to its sound; with a light blow on a ripe fruit, you will hear a dense, dull, full sound, and an immature one will sound dry, weakly expressed.
• The size … As a rule, the larger the fruit, the less sweet it is, and although there are exceptions to this rule, you still have a much better chance of sweetness with a small fruit. In addition, take into account such an interesting point: a juicy fruit weighs more than it looks, but if, on the contrary, you take a large pineapple, and its weight is small, most likely its pulp does not have good taste properties.
• Scent … Pineapple is one of the few fruits that, when ripe, smells distinctly even through the "armor" surrounding the pulp. If there is no smell at all, the fruit is unripe, if it is felt too much, which is called "hits in the nose", most likely, it is already overripe. The scent should be palpable, but still not too strong. If the fruit smells unpleasant, this is also a bad sign - very often, due to improper storage, the fruit acquires a yeast, moldy odor.

Consider also that the chance to get a good pineapple is higher in winter, the season of this tropical fruit is December, January.

Store the purchased fruit in the refrigerator for no more than a week, and if you want to extend the shelf life, cut into cubes and put in the freezer. Of course, when freezing, many useful components are lost, but still frozen pineapple is better than canned pineapple.

How to eat pineapple correctly?

Having dealt with the question of how to choose a fruit, very soon you will come across a new one - how to eat pineapple correctly and what tools are needed to peel it quickly and accurately.

So, how to cut pineapple:

1. Take a well-sharpened knife, set the fruit with its bottom on the board and grab the tail tightly.
2. While rotating the fruit, cut off the skin, making sure that no particles of the skin remain in the pulp. On the other hand, also try not to remove too much of the pulp.
3. You will end up with a small "keg". Examine it well and, if there are still dark spots, carefully remove them as you cut out the "eyes" from a potato.
4. Place the "clean barrel" back on the bottom and cut in half, then halve each half again.
5. Remove the dense core from each quarter.
6. Now it remains only to beautifully cut the soft pulp and serve.

It is worth noting that this method is good when you need to serve a whole pineapple at once, but if you do not need a lot of pulp at once, you should not use it, since without a protective peel it will be stored in proper form for a much shorter amount of time.

How to cut a pineapple if you only need a small amount of fruit - just cut off the top and cut several rings, each ring then free from the peel and hard core. Put the rest of the fruit on a plate with the cut end and put it in the refrigerator.

There are also special ways of slicing the fruit, which are created not so much for convenience as to produce an effect on guests. Many of them are very complex and require skill, but there are also simple ones. Here's one of those ways:

1. Put the pineapple on the bottom and cut it in half right with the tail.
2. Now cut each half in half more.
3. Place one quarter in front of you, cut off the hard core, and then cut the flesh in one piece, but leave it to rest on the skin.
4. Cut the pulp into slices about 1-2 cm thick.
5. Move the slices in a checkerboard pattern - one to the left, one to the right, one to the left again, the fourth to the right, etc.

Do the same with the rest of the quarters. Received "boats" can be additionally served with berries, grapes, flowers.

Pineapple food and drink recipes

Pineapple is versatile in cooking, and despite the fact that we can only imagine it in desserts, there are many savory dishes in the world in which this fruit is very appropriate. Suffice it to cite Hawaiian pizza as an example, the main feature of which is the presence of pineapple in the recipe. There are also many lesser known dishes - hot and salads, which, although you can cook without this fruit, but their taste will be greatly affected.

Savory dishes with pineapple

The fruit is perfect for preparing hot dishes and sauces, salads, savory pastries - the range of its application is very wide. It goes especially well with chicken, pork, cheese.

Several interesting recipes with pineapple of different categories:

1. Hawaiian pizza … Combine flour (250 g), sugar (10 g), salt (5 g), yeast (4 g) in a deep bowl. Add olive oil (20 ml), warm water (250 ml), knead the dough. Leave it for an hour for it to rise. Meanwhile, cut the pineapple (250 g) into cubes, the mozzarella cheese (250 g) into thin slices, and fiber the smoked chicken (150 g). Roll out the dough - you can make several small pizzas, or one large one. Brush the dough with ketchup (220 g) or tomato paste, previously salted to taste and mixed with your favorite spices. Pizza can be cooked in the oven or skillet. In the first case, first bake the dough for 10-15 minutes at the highest temperature, then put the filling in random order and bake for another 15-20 minutes. If you want to fry pizza in a pan, you do not need to grease the dough with sauce in advance. Fry it first on one side, then turn it over, brush with sauce, lay out all the filling, close the lid, cook for 5 minutes. Open the lid, turn off the heat, let the pizza cool. Decorate the finished pizza with basil leaves.
2. Pork in sweet and sour sauce … Mix sugar (100 g), ketchup (150 g), soy sauce (50 ml), sushi vinegar (30 ml), mirin (30 ml), leave to infuse. Cut onion (1 piece) into half rings, bell pepper (3 pieces), mushrooms (100 g), pineapple (300 g) and pork (400 g) into cubes. Dip the meat a little in flour (50 g), fry over high heat in olive oil for 7-10 minutes. Add all the prepared ingredients, cook another 3-5 minutes, then transfer the sauce to the pan. Stir well, simmer for a couple of minutes, turn off the heat and leave the dish to infuse for another 5-10 minutes, then serve.
3. Chicken with pineapple and cheese crust … Beat off chicken fillet (4 pieces), salt and pepper, rub with dry garlic powder to taste. Cut pineapple (300 g) into slices. Grate cheese (100 g), mix with mayonnaise or sour cream. Place the meat on a baking sheet, top with the pineapples, then the cheese mass. Bake at 180^OC for half an hour.
4. Original ham appetizer … Cut the white bread into pieces (10 pieces) about 4x4 cm, dry them in the oven. Cut the ham into pieces (10 pieces), which are about the same size as the bread. Remove the bread, cool, spread with butter (100 g). Place the ham on top. Grate cheese (100 g), cut pineapple into cubes (150 g). Place on top of the sandwich - pineapple first, then cheese. Bake the resulting snack for 5-10 minutes in the oven at a temperature of 180^OWITH.
5. Pineapple and squid salad … Cut ripe pineapple pulp (300 g) into cubes. Squid (600 g), peel, cut, boil in slightly salted water, cut. Boil eggs (4 pieces), grate. Cheese (120 g) also grate. Now collect the salad in layers in this order: pineapple, squid, eggs, cheese - each coat with mayonnaise to taste.

Desserts with pineapple

This fruit is literally created for desserts, sweet dishes with pineapple surprise with a variety: pies, cookies, cakes, fruit salads, yoghurts and just pieces of fruit cooked in the original batter - the choice is really huge. Try one of these recipes:

1. Glazed pineapples … Heat ghee (50 g) and sugar (50 g) in a skillet. When the sugar dissolves in the butter, add 8 cardamom seeds, cook everything together over low heat until the mixture begins to thicken. At this point, turn off the heat and add lime juice (from 1 fruit) to the glaze, mix well. Preheat a frying pan separately - preferably a grill, fry pineapple slices (800 g) in it for 3-5 minutes. Then remove the slices from the pan, add the icing and stir.
2. Fruit salad with coconut … Cut pineapple (1 piece) into large cubes, bananas (4 pieces) into rings, tangerines (4 pieces) into slices, strawberries (500 g) cut into 2-4 pieces. Chop 1 coconut in half, scrape off some of the white pulp (1/2 cup), grate or grind it in a blender. Whisk the coconut cream (100 ml) with the pineapple juice (50 ml). Combine pineapple slices with banana, tangerine, strawberries, blueberries (300 g), coconut pulp, pour over the dressing. Serve the salad in coconut halves or regular bowls.
3. Fruit cookies … Cut pineapples (1.5 kg) into cubes, transfer to a blender, beat. Put the mashed potatoes in a saucepan with a thick bottom, put sugar (100 g), cloves (0.5 tsp buds) there, cook until thickened for about 20 minutes, then remove the cloves. Combine flour (350 g), cornstarch (2 tablespoons), powdered sugar (4 tablespoons), salt (pinch). Soften butter (230 g), mix with flour mass and egg yolks (2 pieces). Knead the dough well, it should come off your hands. Divide the dough into 30 equal pieces, roll each into a flat cake, put the filling in the center, connect the edges of the dough over it and pinch. Give the liver a beautiful elongated shape, you can also make neat shallow cuts crosswise with a sharp knife. Whisk the yolk (1 piece) with cream (1 tablespoon), brush the cookies with it, bake for half an hour at 180^OWITH.
4. Healthy yogurt … Cut the pineapple (200 g) into cubes, peel the avocado (1 piece), remove the bone and chop the flesh. Put the ingredients in a blender, whisk, add water or coconut milk (1 cup), honey or other syrup (1 tablespoon), whisk again. Serve yogurt sprinkled with your favorite nuts.
5. American pie flip … Melt the butter (120 g), pour onto the bottom of a large baking dish (about 20-25 cm in diameter), coat the sides well. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the pan (3/4 cup). Cut the pineapple (500 g) into rings, leave one whole, cut the rest into halves. Put a whole ring in the center of the form, spread the halves around. Also distribute the halves on the sides of the form. Fill the empty areas with cocktail cherries (12-15 pieces). Sift flour (1 cup), mix with salt (pinch), baking powder (2 tsp), sugar (3/4 cup). Beat eggs (1 piece) separately, mix with sour cream (1/3 cup), melted ghee (3 tablespoons), 10% cream (120 ml), vanilla (1 sachet). Combine both mixtures. Pour the dough over the pineapples, flatten, bake for about 40 minutes at 180^OC. Cool finished cake, turn over.
6. Pineapple in batter … Cut pineapple (1 piece) into rings, remove the core. Whisk the yolks (2 pieces) with sugar (1 tsp) and salt (a pinch), add flour (200 g), dry white wine (250 ml). Whisk the whites (2 pieces) separately and add gently into the dough. Heat ghee (500 g) in a frying pan, dip the pineapple rings in batter and fry until golden brown on both sides. Spread the finished pineapple on a napkin to drain off excess fat. Serve with powdered sugar.

Pineapple drinks

The fruit is perfect for preparing not only various dishes, but also drinks. Of course, the signature drink is piña colada, but the fruit is suitable for making other cocktails, as well as punches, lemonades, smoothies.

Delicious pineapple drinks:

1. Real pigna colada … Squeeze the juice out of the fresh pineapple pulp (you need about half of the fresh fruit to get the right amount of juice). Pour light rum (50 ml), pineapple juice, coconut cream (2 tsp), sugar syrup (20 ml) into a shaker. Sugar syrup can be bought ready-made, or you can prepare it by simply mixing 1: 1 water and sugar. Mix all components well in a shaker. Serve the cocktail garnished with pineapple slices or cocktail cherries.
2. Pineapple smoothie … Coarsely chop pineapple (2 rings), banana (1 piece), transfer to a blender. Squeeze orange juice (3 tablespoons), add to blender. Pour in water (100 ml), whisk.
3. Tropical punch … Cut an orange (3 pieces) into thin slices, squeeze the juice from the lemons (4 pieces). Cut pineapple (1 piece) into cubes, cut strawberries (150 g) into 2-4 pieces, depending on the size. Mix all prepared ingredients, refrigerate. Before serving, take them out, fill with champagne (1 bottle), wine (2 bottles). You can pre-freeze some wine in the form of ice cubes.
4. Pineapple lemonade … Chop pineapple (500 g) coarsely, put in a blender, beat, add lychee pulp (150 g), mint leaves (5 g), beat again. Transfer the puree to a decanter, pour pineapple juice (250 ml), mineral water (200 ml). Serve over ice.

Interesting facts about pineapple

Unripe pineapples burn your lips and have a strong laxative effect, so you shouldn't eat them at all.

Fruit juice is great for motion sickness, and if this problem is typical for you, be sure to take a bottle of fresh drink with you on your trip.

Pineapple is a rather capricious agriculture. Fruits do not grow on trees, but on the ground - in essence, it is grass. 12-18 months pass from planting to flowering, then ripening takes another 3-6 months. At the same time, each plant produces only one fruit, and they can only be harvested by hand.

You can try to grow a tropical fruit at home, it is noteworthy that you need to plant the top-tuft carefully cut from the fruit. However, keep in mind that it grows and ripens for a very long time - about 3 years.

From a biological point of view, pineapple is not a fruit, it is a berry, or, to be more precise, a lot of berries that have grown together into one.

The culture is grown not only for food purposes, the leaves of the fruit are used to make dense fabric from which clothes are sewn, handbags and even shoes are made.

Pineapple is of great importance in China, it must be present on the New Year's table, otherwise you will not have to wait for happiness and success in it.

Watch a video about the properties of pineapple:

Pineapple is a very tasty and healthy fruit that has very few contraindications. The sweet fruit will appeal to everyone, even children, and therefore be sure to include it in the diet, especially since it is so simple. It fits easily into any culinary dish - hot, salad, pastries. However, do not forget that it is most useful to eat the fruit fresh and in its pure form.