Pineapples: The Healing Fruit of the Tropics (includes a
recipe for Pina-Banana Orange Smoothie) By Monique N.
Gilbert, B.Sc. href="http://www.geocities.com/moniquengilbert/index.html">http:/
/www.MoniqueNGilbert.com

For a natural and tasty way to improve your health and boost
your healing capacity, add fresh pineapple and pineapple juice
to your diet. Pineapples are nutritionally packed members of the
bromeliad family. This delightful tropical fruit is high in the
enzyme bromelain and the antioxidant vitamin C, both of which
plays a major role in the body's healing process. Bromelain, a
natural anti-inflammatory with analgesic properties, encourages
healing, promotes well-being and has many other health benefits.
Bromelain is very effective in treating bruises, sprains and
strains by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain. This powerful
anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect can also help relieve
osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and reduce
postoperative swelling. Additionally, bromelain can relieve
indigestion. The enzyme contained in fresh pineapple helps break
down the amino acid bonds in proteins, which promotes good
digestion. Pineapples also provide an ample supply of vitamin C,
a commonly known antioxidant that protects the body from free
radical damage and boosts the immune system. Vitamin C helps
build and repair bodily tissue and promotes wound healing. The
body uses vitamin C to help metabolize fats and cholesterol,
absorb iron, and synthesize amino acids and collagen. Collagen
is one of the primary building blocks of skin, cartilage and
bones. Vitamin C also decreases the severity of colds and
infections. Furthermore, due to its high vitamin C content,
pineapples are good for your oral health as well. Recent studies
have found that vitamin C can reduce your risk of gingivitis and
periodontal disease. Besides increasing the ability of
connective tissue to repair itself, vitamin C also increases the
body's ability to fight invading bacteria and other toxins that
contribute to gum disease. Periodontal disease, which destroys
gum tissue and underlying jaw bones, has been linked to heart
disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. So if you are searching for
a natural way to enhance your body's healing mechanisms, promote
overall good health and tantalize your taste buds, pineapples
are the way to go. Choose the fresh fruit because it has the
most healing properties. Unfortunately, most of the bromelain in
canned pineapple is destroyed due to the heat used in the
canning process. When choosing a fresh pineapple, do not judge
ripeness solely based upon color. There are several varieties on
the market that range from green to golden yellow. The most
important factor in determining ripeness is smell, let your nose
help you decide. Ripe pineapples give off a sweet, fresh
tropical smell. Avoid pineapples that give off an unpleasant
odor or have any soft spots or areas of dark discoloration. Once
home, let the pineapple sit on your counter at room temperature
until ready to use. This will preserve its sweet and tangy
flavor. To prepare pineapple, you need to peel it, remove the
eyes (the thorny protrusions within the puffy squares of the
skin) and the fibrous center. One way to do this is to remove
the top of the pineapple with a sharp knife. Then cut the
pineapple lengthwise into 4 wedges (quarter it) and place each
pineapple wedge horizontally on a cutting board. Carefully cut
the fruit from the outer skin, and cut out the eyes and fibrous
center core. Another way is to cut off the top and bottom of the
pineapple, place the pineapple vertically (upright) on a cutting
board and carefully slice off the outer skin. With a sharp
paring knife or the end if a vegetable peeler, remove the eyes.
Don't cut too deep, just enough to lift out the section that
contains the eye. Then, slice the pineapple crosswise and remove
the fibrous core individually with a cookie cutter. Once the
fruit is prepared, it can be diced and eaten fresh, added to
salads and entrees for an exotic flavor, or made into tasty
tropical drinks and smoothies. To get you started, try Monique
N. Gilbert's delicious, nutritious, cholesterol-free smoothie
recipe. It's high in bromelain, vitamin C, beta carotene,
potassium, thiamin (vitamin B-1), riboflavin (vitamin B-2),
iron, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and soy isoflavones.
Pina-Banana Orange Smoothie
__________________________________________ 1 frozen banana 1 cup
fresh pineapple 1/2 cup soymilk 1/3 cup orange juice 1
tablespoon canned pumpkin 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds 1
tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
__________________________________________ Place all of the
above ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend for 1-2
minutes, or until smooth and creamy. Makes about 2-3/4 cups (2
servings)

Copyright © Monique N. Gilbert - All Rights Reserved
Monique N. Gilbert, B.Sc. is a Health, Nutrition, Weight-Loss &
Lifestyle Coach; Certified Personal Trainer/Fitness Counselor;
Recipe Developer; Freelance Writer and Author of Virtues of
Soy: A Practical Health Guide and Cookbook. She has offered
guidance in natural health, nutrition, fitness, weight-loss and
stress management since 1989. You can reach Monique at href="http://www.geocities.com/moniquengilbert/index.html">http:/
/www.MoniqueNGilbert.com

Monique N. GilbertB.Sc.