Tough on the outside and sweet on the inside, pineapples are a tasty tropical fruit packed with nutrients. When you chop one up, you’re probably eager to get to the golden goods in the middle.
Did you know that the pineapple has more to offer? Just like other fruits, there’s awesomeness in the skin. We don’t mean for you to eat it like candy, but there are a host of benefits that the spiky exterior has to offer. Don’t throw it away, because below we’ll show you why it’s good for you and what you can do with it.
Benefits
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Anti-inflammatory
Bromelain, a powerful enzyme found in high concentrations in pineapple skin and stems, helps to cut down inflammation in the body. It’s been touted for reducing swelling after surgery or injury, and works as an anti-inflammatory in the sinuses and throughout the body.
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Digestive Aid
Not only do the peels serve to make digestion smoother, but they’ve also been found to help fight intestinal parasites, constipation, and possibly IBS symptoms. They also build up healthy gut flora.
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Immune Booster
The high levels of vitamin C in the pineapple and its skin prevent and fight infections. The power of bromelain and vitamin C act as a bacteria fighter, mucus cutter, cough suppressant, wound healer, and overall system booster in the body.
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Arthritis and Joint Pain Fighter
Here again bromelain works its anti-inflammatory magic in those who have arthritis or joint pain. Mixing up a potion with pineapple peels works directly on the source of the pain. Check out how to make a topical remedy below.
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Vision Protector
Beta carotene and vitamin C present in the entire plant aid in battling degenerative eye diseases like glaucoma.
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Dental and Bone Strengthener
In addition to fighting inflammation in gums and tissues, pineapple skins have a high manganese content. Manganese helps to grow, strengthen, and repair bones and teeth. In terms of oral health, its vitamin C and astringent properties keep gums clean and healthy.
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Anti-Cancer
Some early studies have shown that skins’ amounts of manganese, vitamin C, bromelain, and antioxidants have the ability to fight tumors and aid in cancer prevention.
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Good Blood
Bromelain helps with preventing blood clots from forming, and the copper content in pineapple juice increase the formation of healthy red blood cells. Bits of potassium helps the blood vessels stay healthy and can counteract large amounts of sodium, enabling the blood pressure to be stable.
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Fertility
Women who are looking to conceive usually pay close attention to their diet. Pineapple gets a lot of love because of its beta carotene and bromelain. Reducing inflammation in the womb helps create an ideal environment for implantation. Having warm liquids like the tea or broth listed below also support healthy fertility, and a pineapple dessert certainly wouldn’t hurt either.
Public Domain Pictures There are a variety of ways you can prepare pineapple skins for your health. Here are a few suggestions:
Make Tea
You can brew a tea and serve it hot or cold to reap pineapple skin’s benefits. To make a tea, scrub the outer skins thoroughly and place in a medium saucepan. Add 2 cinnamon sticks, cloves, and 1 peeled knob of ginger. Cover with about 4 quarts of water. Simmer on low heat for 20-25 minutes, turn off heat, and allow to steep for another 25 minutes. Serve hot or refrigerate; sweeten to taste.
Make Juice
Follow the instructions for making tea but add only peels and water – no spices or sweetener. Allow the mixture to cool down and then place some in the blender; blend it up! Pour liquid through a strainer and refrigerate.
Make Vinegar
Pineapple vinegar can be used as food or as a topical remedy for arthritis, bruises, or joint pain. Follow this recipe from Fermented Food Lab for a simple DIY version. Be sure to wash the skins first to scrub off any pesticide residue!
Make Stock
Take it easy and add clean pineapple skins to your veggie, chicken, seafood, or beef stocks. It’ll pack a flavorful and nutritious punch to your dish. Just toss in 1-2 cups of skins and strain them out when done.
Much like the scrumptious fruit, pineapple peel contains properties that improve inner and outer health. If you don’t use the skins right away, you can store them in the freezer in an airtight bag.
During manufacturing, the core and peel is saved to make other products like alcohol and vinegar. Now you can do the same at home with the skin and create your own pantry of power-packed pineapple potions.
Did you know pineapple skins were so versatile? Had you already been using them to make drinks or skin care remedies? Tell us in the comments!
Sources:
Parenting
University of Maryland
NIH
Remedy Daily
