By Rosie Moore

The pineapple is a member of the bromeliad family. It is extremely rare that bromeliads produce edible fruit. The pineapple is the only available edible bromeliad today. It is a multiple fruit, one pineapple is actually made up of dozens of  individual flowerets that grow together to form the entire fruit. Each scale on a pineapple is evidence of a separate flower.

Pineapples stop ripening the minute they are picked. No special way of storing them will help ripen them further. Color is relatively unimportant in determining ripeness. Choose your pineapple by smell, if it smells fresh, tropical and sweet, it will be a good fruit. The more scales on the pineapple, the sweeter and juicier the taste.

After you cut off the top, you can plant it, it should grow much like a sweet potato will.

This delicious fruit is not only sweet and tropical it also offers many benefits to our health. Pineapple is a remarkable fruit. We find it enjoyable because of its lush, sweet and exotic flavor, but it may also be one of the most healthful foods available today.

The juice has an anthelmintic effect, it helps get rid of intestinal worms. It also is high in manganese, a mineral that is critical to development of strong bones and connective tissue. A cup of fresh pineapple will give you nearly 75%  of the recommended daily amount. It is particularly helpful to older adults whose bones tend to become brittle with age.

Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme is the key to the pineapple’s value. Proteolytic means “breaks down protein” which is why pineapple is known to be a digestive aid. It helps the body digests proteins more efficiently. Regular ingestion of at least one half cup of fresh pineapple daily is purported to relieve painful joints common to osteoarthritis. It is also known to discourage blood clot development, this makes it a valuable dietary addition for frequent fliers and others who may be at risk for blood clots.

Orange juice is a popular liquid for those suffering from a cold because it is high in vitamin C. Fresh pineapple is not only has this vitamin, but because of the bromelain, it has the ability to reduce mucous in the throat. If you have a cold with a productive cough, add pineapple to your diet.

Let’s finish this with a Pineapple Cake recipe:

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

2 sticks of butter (melt, put one in batter and one in pan)

1- 20 oz. can crushed pineapple

2 eggs.

Mix all ingredients and bake at 350 Deg for 45-50 min. Frost with 1 can of cream cheese frosting.

I stole this recipe from Lillian Bean. Thank you, Lillian. Went very well with my article.

Thought for the day: In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.  – Abraham Lincoln.

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