Pineapples for your skin?

The pineapple. A slightly intimidating and strange looking fruit yet full of goodness!  No, I'm not talking about your grandma's delicious pineapple upside down cake that nobody can get enough of! ...unfortunately, not today.

Pineapples, or ananas as some may refer, is indigenous to South America.  Raw pineapple is an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C.  However, this fruit's benefits are most widely associated with its naturally occurring enzyme, bromelain.  

pause Bromelain?!

Have you ever experienced a tingling sensation on your tongue while eating pineapples?

I've come across several personal accounts of mouth irritation while doing this research (see here, annnd here). Well if you're apart of this group, thank the powerful bromelain for that!

What is bromelain?

Bromelain is a complex enzyme that occurs naturally, specifically within pineapples.  This enzyme is proteolytic. Or to put it simply, breaks down protein. 

Yes, your tongue = protein! 

There have been several clinical studies which account for bromelain's benefits when applied topically and ingested.  The enzyme has notably been used for the treatment of inflammation. In fact, the first reported acknowledgement of bromelain to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis was in 1964.

Pineapple's anti-inflammatory properties are from the bromelain component.  This decreases the activity of anti-inflammatory signals in responding to areas in the body.  Bromelain has also been implied to assist in skin conditions such as eczema, acne, dermatitis, psoriasis and rosacea.

Mature fruit of the pineapple also contains citric acid, malic acid among a list of vitamins and other goodies.  Our focus here are the citric and malic acids.  These alpha hydroxy acids aid in exfoliating the upper layer of our skin.  This is great for uneven skin tones, hyperpigmentation and providing that youthful glow.

Vitamin C is one the most widely known antioxidant.  Antioxidants are free radical scavengers. Their job is to search-and-destroy pollutants and irritants that we encounter on a daily basis.  In fact, one ripe pineapple can provide about 16.2% of the daily requirement for vitamin C.

Now, be sure to include pineapples in your diet!  They're delicious as on-the-go snacks, in smoothies or juiced!

Have you used pineapples to control inflammation?