Thursday, January 2, 2014

Super Fruit Friday - The Pineapple!




Welcome to my first Super Fruit Friday! Every Friday I’ll be featuring a different super fruit and its health benefits, recommended recipes and even some fruit inspired style & design!

To kick off the first Super Fruit Friday I’ll be featuring the tropical summer fruit, the PINEAPPLE!

I recently went to Phuket in Thailand and it was such a fantastic, relaxing holiday destination. The beaches are pristine, the local people are lovely and everywhere you looked along the beachfront were rows of fresh fruit and juice bars. I loved the way the Thai people created 'fruit cups' out of hollowed out fresh pineapples and coconuts, and decorated them with tropical flowers and wedges of fruit. Not only do fruit cups look amazing and are fun to drink out of, the flavour infuses with the juice or smoothie inside the cup!

PINE-INSPIRED eats & drinks
Delicious ways to use pineapples!

 Since arriving back home to Australia I've been inspired to create my own fruit cups and also do a bit more research on health benefits associated with eating pineapple.

Pineapples are one of Australia's tropical fruit and not only do they taste delicious I've got 10 reasons below why we should be eating pineapples more frequently according to research. (Debnath P, Dey P, Chanda A & Bhakta T 2012, 'A Survey on Pineapple and its medicinal value.' Scholars Academic Journal of Pharmacy, vol. 1, Sep-Oct, pp.24-29.)

1. Pineapples contain Vitamin C and bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme that breaks down protein. The bromelain in Pineapple helps fight infections by dissolving layers of bacteria-rich surfaces and can aid in digestion.

2. Pineapples have anti-inflammatory and digestive properties. The anti-inflammatory properties in this fruit help reduce pain after surgery and sports injuries.

3.  Pineapples are low in sodium and rich in potassium.

4. Pineapples can clear bronchial passages in those suffering with pneumonia and bronchitis.

5. Pineapple juice's high manganese content means it can contribute to boosting male fertility. A 1-cup serving of of pineapple juice provides 1.3mg of manganese; the daily recommended intake for men is 2.3mg each day.

6. Vitamin B1 in Pineapples allows the cells of the body to convert carbohydrates into energy. Heart, muscle and nervous system function depend on vitamin B.

7. Pineapples are good for your gums and can reduce the risk of gingivitis and periondontal disease, which is linked to heart disease. Just make sure you have a glass of water or brush your teeth after eating pineapple as the acids can have a corrosive affect.

8. Pineapples contain significant fiber and according to the Harvard School of Public Health, several studies indicate that increased fiber intake diminishes the metabolic syndrome, a cluster of health hazards including high blood pressure, high insulin levels and excess abdominal weight.

9. Pineapples improves your skin! Apply mashed pineapple to the affected areas including rough skin on your feet, elbows or wrinkles on your face and leave it on for an hour. Rinse and gently scrub the area to remove the dead skin. Several treatments may be needed.

10. Pineapples contain several essential minerals including manganese and copper, instrumental in the formation of bone and the activation of certain enzymes and regulates blood pressure and the heart rate.

Here are a few of my favourite Pine-inspired style finds to celebrate the Pineapple!

PINE-INSPIRED style


Hope you enjoy Pineapples even more!

~ Arielle

Image credits:

Pine-Inspired Eats & Drink
1.http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2012/05/pineapple-sorbet.html
2.http://what2cook.net/2013/04/06/luau-hawaiian-fruit-salad/
3.http://www.brooklynlimestone.com
4. http://modernweddingshawaii.com/create-your-own-tropical-cocktail/

Pine-Inspired Style
1.http://www.pinterest.com/pin/42010208998202258/
2.http://www.elle.fr/Mode/Le-guide-shopping/Printemps-ete-2013/Alerte-tendance-fruitez-vos-looks/Bague-ananas-Julia-Monteiro-de-Carvalho
3.http://www.pinterest.com/pin/42010208998202212/
4.http://lemonstripes.com/fashion/preppy-pineapple/#_a5y_p=946628
5.http://www.dorothyandevelyn.com/product_info.php?cPath=915_916&products_id=7145
6.http://www.pinterest.com/pin/42010208998202202/

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