Health

By Nifemi Owolabi

Pineapple, a tangy cousin of all fruits, which goes by the botanical name Ananas comosus, is an herbaceous, tropical, and monocot perennial plant. The size of the plant ranges from approximately 1–2 m tall and wide. Its leaves are spiral in arrangement and on the terminal ends are flowers that produce edible fruit. The fruit has a tough exterior, while being tasty inside, tad pulpy and crunchy.

But while the fruit is hailed and eaten almost everywhere, not many people know about the benefits of its peel. Here, we discuss some of these health benefits and how to incorporate them into your diet.

From lowering diabetes risk to boosting metabolism, the skin has bromelain, which is a powerful enzyme, and anti-inflammatory. It can be used to reduce swelling post-surgery or an injury.

 It is also believed to help with digestion. It is said the peels can fight intestinal parasites and help with constipation.

If you are looking to boost immunity, you must consider the pineapple peel. Just like the fruit, the skin is rich in vitamin C, which can build the overall immunity of the body, fight bacteria, help with cough, etc.

The skin can also be a teeth and bone strengthener since it is rich in manganese. It is great for oral health, because the vitamin C can keep the gums healthy. Enzyme bromelain can prevent the clotting of blood, too.

In fact, it can even make the blood healthier by helping with the formation of more red blood cells. Women, who are looking to conceive, can consider it, too. As a fruit, pineapple is liked by everyone because it has beta-carotene and bromelain, which can reduce any inflammation in the womb and create an ideal environment for growth.

Here are some ways you can prepare the skin. Remove the skin and place it in a saucepan. You can also add cloves, ginger and cinnamon sticks, sobo flavour. Add some water and allow it to brew for some 15 minutes on low flame. Turn it off and let it steep for another 15 minutes. You can serve it either hot or cold, and can also add a sweetener of your choice.

Culled

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group 

Tourism

The Big Pineapple is literally, the biggest manmade pineapple in the world, located in Bathurst, South Africa.

The fibreglass, steel and concrete structure stands 16.5m high, comprising 3 floors with a magnificent view from the top all the way to the coast.

The structure features an antique and gift shop selling all kinds of pineapple related products such as jams and juices, t-shirts, puzzles and gifts.

On the middle floor, there is a static display about the pineapple industry that flourishes in the Bathurst area.

This well-known landmark is an ideal spot for tourists to visit.

Situated on a pineapple experimental farm, there are lovely expanses of lawn for children to run freely. There is also a restaurant offering delicious choices of food and drinks in a historical stone settler building.

Titilayo Kupoliyi