Pineapple juice is one of the more well-known juices that, alongside apple juice and orange juice, can often be found on the menu of restaurants. However, making pineapple juice with a slow juicer is an entirely different experience: both a taste sensation and a fantastic health boost. It’s no wonder that pineapples gained popularity in the sixteenth century during maritime voyages, as they have an incredibly high vitamin C content. As a result, pineapple positively influences your immune system and helps maintain your resistance. Additionally, pineapples contain the unique enzyme bromelain. In this article, we’ll explore several health benefits of pineapple juice. For true pineapple enthusiasts, we’ll also provide some amusing facts, information about nutritional value, and of course, tips for making your own pineapple juice.
Facts about Pineapple and Pineapple Juice
- When pineapple was first introduced to Europe, it symbolized wealth and exoticism. Thanks in part to canned pineapple, this fruit has become much more common.
- Pineapples are mainly cultivated in Africa and South America, with very little production in Europe. Hence, it’s not a particularly sustainable choice.
- Technically, it’s not a fruit since it doesn’t grow on a bush or tree, but on a low plant.
- Each pineapple plant produces only one pineapple at a time.
- You can also ferment pineapple juice for a delicious prebiotic drink [1].
How Do You Grow a Pineapple?
Do you have green thumbs? Similar to avocados, you can cultivate a pineapple plant from a pineapple. The fruit doesn’t have seeds, but the plant grows from the pineapple itself, specifically from the leaf. To grow a plant, cut off the top of the pineapple and place it in a pot in a warm, sunny spot. From here, the plant will develop roots and grow into a full-fledged pineapple plant, about one by one meter in size. However, you’ll need some patience, as it will take two to three years for the plant to produce its first flower! When the time comes, a large flower will grow in the middle of the leaves, gradually transforming into a pineapple. Finished enjoying it? Be patient again: you’ll have to wait until next year for another one to grow.
8 Reasons Why Pineapple Is Healthy
1. Pineapple juice combats free radicals
The pineapple plant contains a significant amount of vitamin C. This antioxidant helps your body capture free radicals, thereby protecting your healthy cells and tissues from oxidative damage.
The vitamin C content of a pineapple decreases as the fruit ripens. Since pineapples ripen from bottom to top, the top always contains more vitamin C than the bottom. One of the smartest and healthiest ways to consume pineapple is by cutting it lengthwise into sections and slow juicing it! This way, you’ll get both the bottom and top parts of the pineapple, easily obtaining a lot of vitamin C.
2. Pineapple juice for your skin
The high vitamin C content of pineapple juice not only helps capture free radicals, but it’s also essential for collagen formation in your skin. Collagen is a protein important for the structure and firmness of the connective tissues in your skin. Drinking a glass of pineapple juice is not only a delight due to its deliciously sweet and fresh taste but also helps keep your skin healthy from the inside out.
Pineapple juice for your brain
Pineapple juice is also a perfect drink for supporting your brain function. Vitamin C contributes to memory and concentration. Additionally, it benefits your mood and helps maintain a good mental balance. So, if you have a busy workday ahead or need to study hard, don’t forget to pack a delicious pineapple juice in your bag!
4. Pineapple juice for your digestion
Our pineapple juice is a good source of calcium. This mineral is well-known for its crucial role in bone composition. However, calcium also plays an important role in maintaining a healthy digestive system. It helps your body release energy from your diet, among other functions.
5. Pineapple juice for a healthy heart
Our Reboot pineapple juice is also good for your heart. With its substantial vitamin B1 content, it positively affects heart function. Additionally, the high vitamin C content in pineapple juice keeps your blood vessels strong and flexible. Therefore, this juice is an ideal choice for optimal heart and vascular health support.
6. Pineapple juice for extra energy
Feeling tired and sluggish? A glass of pineapple juice might provide the solution. Vitamin C in pineapple juice can help reduce fatigue and make you feel refreshed again. Furthermore, pineapple juice contains the mineral manganese, which supports your energy levels. So, pineapple juice is a great idea when you could use a refreshing boost.
7. Pineapple juice for better iron absorption
Vitamin C is crucial for iron metabolism in your body. It enhances iron absorption from your diet and increases iron levels in your blood. Due to its high vitamin C content, pineapple juice is an excellent drink to boost your iron absorption.
8. Pineapple juice for your immune system
Pineapple juice is one of the best and most delicious ways to get your daily dose of vitamin C, a vital player in our immunity, as most people know. For instance, in our Reboot pineapple juice, you get more than 100% of your daily requirement in one go, along with a host of other immune-supporting vitamins and minerals.
Nutritional Value of 165 grams (1 cup) of Pineapple
Calories: 82.5
- Fat: 1.7 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
- Carbohydrates: 21.6 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 2.3 grams
- Vitamin C: 131% DV
- Manganese: 76% DV
- Vitamin B6: 9% DV
- Copper: 9% DV
- Thiamine: 9% DV
- Folate: 7% DV
- Potassium: 5% DV
- Magnesium: 5% DV
- Niacin: 4% DV
- Pantothenic Acid: 4% DV
- Riboflavin: 3% DV
- Iron: 3% DV
Is Pineapple Juice Healthy?
Overall, we’re quite amazed at how a fruit that tastes so good can also offer so many health benefits. Vitamin C is truly a versatile nutrient, and drinking pineapple juice with its juiced core seems like one of the best ways to naturally add vitamin C to your diet. The vitamin C in pineapples could be a beneficial daily support for your immune system. There appear to be no risks associated with consuming pineapple or drinking pineapple juice: the substance bromelain has very low toxicity [2], and excess vitamin C is naturally eliminated from the body through urine. The only reason to maybe not consume too much pineapple juice is its relatively high fruit sugar content. Our healthy vegetable juices with pineapple, like Boost, Reboot, and Ron’s, offer the goodness of pineapple.
Pineapple Juice Recipe
While we believe that nothing can surpass our Reboot drink, we understand that it might be a bit complex to make on your own. Here’s a simpler yet equally delicious recipe:
Pineapple Juice for One Person with:
Pomegranate, Celery, Lemon, and Ginger
Ingredients:
- 200 grams of pineapple, peeled and cut. Use the tough core for the abundant bromelain!
- Seeds of half a pomegranate or 50 ml of pomegranate juice.
- Juice of half a lemon.
- 2 stalks of celery with leaves.
- 2 cm of ginger, peeled and sliced.
Feed pomegranate seeds, pineapple pieces, ginger, and celery into the slow juicer. Add lemon juice and enjoy your deliciously summery and refreshing drink. Perfect for breakfast!
Conclusion
Pineapple juice is a tasty health booster with an incredible array of essential nutrients. Moreover, it contains the compound bromelain. Therefore, it’s a valuable addition to your diet. The only aspect to consider is that most pineapples are cultivated thousands of kilometers away from the Netherlands, making it a not very environmentally conscious choice. Furthermore, we’re also impressed by how long it takes for a pineapple plant to produce a single pineapple. Thus, respect for the healthy, special pineapple that ripens slowly and its delicious pineapple juice.
