Robertson Klaingar

Pineapple: The good, the bad, the ugly

Like many fruits, pineapple is rich in antioxidants. Taking this into account, scientists decided to test this fruit. These scientists have tested the repairing effects of pineapple vinegar on the liver.

They gave this vinegar to mice with paracetamol-induced liver damage and monitored the effects of pineapple. Within 7 days, the damage caused by paraceramol was significantly reduced and the livers of these animals were visibly positively affected.

How is this possible?

We’ll answer that, but first, let’s talk about the liver. The liver is the second largest organ in our body. It treats the food and beverages we consume, and also filters out harmful or toxic substances in the body.

Many problems or diseases can cause liver damage. Some problems are genetic and others result from chemicals, infections and toxic substances. All of these can cause liver damage, including hepatitis, cirrhosis and cancer.

Symptoms of liver damage include yellowish skin, itching, abdominal pain, dark urine, chronic fatigue, nausea, tarry stools and loss of appetite.

How can pineapple help?

It seems that some substances found in pineapple have the ability to help repair the liver cell membrane. Apart from that, the presence of a compound called bromelain makes pineapple really good for liver health. Bromelain is an enzyme that helps to disintegrate toxins in the human body and paves the way for their elimination. This helps the digestion process and keeps the liver free of toxins in the long term. In addition, the vitamin C content of pineapple helps the liver and increases immunity levels.

Note: The excess of annything is bad, and the same goes for pineapple! It is a tropical fruit that contains a trace mineral known as manganese. Your body needs manganese for various physiological processes. However, too much manganese can cause toxicity. A 1/2 cup serving of raw pineapple pieces contains 0.77 milligrams of manganese. Adults should not consume more than 11 milligrams of manganese per day.

People with any chronic liver disease are at higher risk of manganese toxicity because their bodies cannot remove excess manganese through bile. People with liver disease who eat too much pineapple or other manganese-rich foods may therefore develop neurological symptoms, such as Parkinson’s disease.

As in everything, moderation is key. Pineapple is only one part of the nutritional puzzle. You have to eat a balanced diet.

How to take pineapple without damaging your liver?

You can drink pineapple juice or eat the fruit without damaging your liver. Keep the following points in mind to be protected.

Look for the amount of manganese in the food you eat or your daily manganese intake will exceed safe limits.

Try to drink homemade pineapple juice to get the most nutrients and health benefits.
It is best to eat pineapples that are ripe and fresh.

Eating a healthy diet allows your liver to function optimally. Including pineapple – a natural ingredient – in your diet will improve your liver health!

Have you ever eaten pineapple for the health of your liver? How did it help? Do you like pineapple? Do you eat a lot of it? Tell us by commenting below.

If you know of other benefits of pineapple, share your knowledge to help others who may need it. Thank you.

Stay healthy.

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