Dried pineapples: uses and nutritional benefits

The pineapple is an herbaceous plant of the family Bromeliaceae. Although small (about 1 m) the pineapple plant has a robust, thick and thorny stem. In its center, its fruit is formed: the pineapple. Its name comes from a South American language which means "perfume of perfumes". Its fruit is known for its sweet and sour taste. Its sweetness comes from its high content of simple carbohydrates, it is also among the sweetest fruits. Concerning its acidic taste, it is the citric acid which composes it which is at the origin. Dried, it is the sweetness of the pineapple which takes the top. Beyond its gustatory characteristics, dried pineapple is a concentrate of antioxidants and an enzyme: bromelain. This proteolytic enzyme is concentrated in the stems. The pineapple pulp also contains it, but to a lesser extent. Bromelain degrades when temperatures exceed 60°C, so it is important that pineapples are dried at a lower temperature. Indeed, numerous scientific researches indicate anti-hypertensive, blood-thinning, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties to bromelain. Latin name: Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. Botanical family: Bromeliaceae. Part used: Fruit.

Recommended consumption

Dried pineapple is a dry fruit. It therefore contains more sugar than a fresh Pineapple, the recommendations of daily consumption are defined. In classic cure or for pleasure, a portion of dried pineapple is estimated between 20 and 30 g per day, which represents three slices per day.

In what form?

To make the most of their benefits, you can use them :

  • Whole
  • In pieces
At what time of day?

We advise you to use them during the following meal(s) to take full advantage of their benefits:

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Snacks
  • Dinner
What modes of use?

You can incorporate them into the following preparations to make them easier to take:

  • Dessert
  • Yoghurt, dairy
  • Aperitif
  • Dish
  • Only
  • Mixed with other dried fruits
  • Smoothies, juices
  • Drink, water
  • Infusion
  • Muesli

Health Nutrition Benefits

Dried pineapple can complement your healthy, varied diet.

Digestive system

The bromelain found in dried pineapples is a protein enzyme (protease). It contributes to the digestion of proteins.

Metabolism

Pineapple contains many polyphenols with antioxidant activity.

Immune system

Pineapple is a carrier of bromelain: an enzyme. Several researches have been done on the properties of this enzyme: it would be antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and also anti-metastatic.

Circulatory system

Dried pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that influences blood circulation through its anti-thrombogenic and antihypertensive properties.

Cardiac system

Pineapple is naturally low in saturated fatty acids, sodium and rich in fiber. This combination does not cause or aggravate cardiovascular disorders. Moreover, it contains bromelain, an enzyme that influences blood circulation through its anti-thrombogenic and anti-hypertensive properties.

Nutritional properties

Main properties

  • Antioxidants (polyphenols): dried Pineapple is composed of polyphenols: epicatechin, gallic acid, ferulic acid, catechin. These four polyphenolic compounds have shown their antioxidant capacities.
  • Digestive (bromelain): dried Pineapple improves protein digestion.
  • Immunomodulant (bromelain): dried Pineapple modulates the immune response, it is said to have anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory power.
  • Blood Thinner (bromelain): dried Pineapple reduces the process of forming a blood thrombosis or clot.

Secondary property

  • Cardiovascular protector (bromelain, fiber): the nutritional profile of dried Pineapple allows it to act in prevention of cardiovascular disorders: it contributes to the maintenance of normal cholesterol levels and normal blood pressure.

Nutritional values

*Recommended Daily Allowance

To know more about the plant : Pineapple

The pineapple is a herbaceous plant, its stem carries thick and thorny leaves in the shape of gutters. It grows in hot regions where the climate is tropical: South America and Africa are the two major representatives of its culture. The pineapple plant can reach 1.50 m in height. The cultivation of the pineapple is quite particular, since it has the power to flower on demand, thanks to a treatment of floral induction. The fertilized inflorescence makes appear a reddish flower, which will gradually give way to the fruit: the pineapple. There are many varieties, each one proposes fruits going from white, to orange yellow to conical to round forms. Nevertheless, the pineapple industry is largely dominated by a single variety: the Cayenne.

History of the Pineapple

Its name "Pineapple" is borrowed from the Guarani, which means "perfume of perfumes". Its beautiful name is a great indication of its country of origin. Christopher Columbus was the first Westerner to mention its presence in Guadeloupe. Forty years after its discovery, the pineapple arrived in Spain. Its sweet and sour taste quickly conquered the Westerners. Because of its fragility and its difficult production, this fruit is expensive and reserved for the aristocracy. Gradually, the pineapple made its mark and became the most cultivated exotic fruit in Europe. The craze for exotic fruits exploded in the 1980's and pineapple was democratized in the fruit baskets of Europeans.

Organic pineapple (sliced,... source of antioxidants

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