Pineapple 1 Each

The pineapple ($\textit{Ananas comosus}$) is a tropical, multiple fruit renowned for its sweet and tangy flavor, distinctive spiky exterior, and numerous health benefits. It is particularly famous for containing a unique enzyme and being a symbol of hospitality. ### Key Facts * **Botanical Classification:** A herbaceous perennial plant; the fruit is a **multiple fruit**, meaning it is a cluster formed from the fusion of hundreds of individual flowers/fruitlets. * **Origin:** Indigenous to South America (the region where Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil meet). * **Unique Feature:** It is the only known food source of the enzyme **bromelain**. ### Nutritional Highlights One cup of fresh pineapple is an excellent source of several key nutrients: * **Vitamin C:** Provides a significant portion of the daily recommended intake, supporting immune function, tissue repair, and collagen production. * **Manganese:** Contains over 100% of the daily recommended intake, essential for bone formation, metabolism, and antioxidant defense. * **B Vitamins:** Contains several B vitamins (like thiamin, B6, and folate) that help the body process energy from food. * **Antioxidants:** Rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, which help protect cells from damage by free radicals. ### Health Benefits The powerful enzyme **bromelain** is responsible for many of pineapple's health benefits: * **Aids Digestion:** Bromelain is a group of proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzymes. It helps the body break down protein, making it easier to digest food. * **Anti-Inflammatory Effects:** Bromelain has potent anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It is often used to help reduce swelling and bruising after injury or surgery and may help relieve symptoms of conditions like osteoarthritis. * **Muscle Recovery:** Its anti-inflammatory action can help soothe muscles and speed up recovery time after strenuous exercise. * **Supports Immune System:** The combination of Vitamin C and bromelain helps to fight infections and support overall immune health. ### Culinary Uses Pineapple is consumed fresh, canned, or juiced, and is used in a wide range of dishes: * **Fresh:** Eaten raw as a snack, in fruit salads, and as a topping. * **Savory Dishes:** Popular in many cuisines, including on pizza (a highly debated topic), in stir-fries, and as a component in glazes and marinades. The bromelain is why fresh pineapple is an effective natural **meat tenderizer**. * **Desserts & Drinks:** Used in cakes, tarts, smoothies, and the famous Piña Colada cocktail. *** **Note on Bromelain:** Bromelain breaks down protein, which is why eating a lot of fresh pineapple can sometimes cause a temporary tingling or slight burning sensation on the tongue or lips—it is temporarily dissolving some of the protein in your mouth tissue!