Anti-Inflammatory Benefits of Pineapple
Shared by Dr. Justin Thompson
Now that the weather is slowly starting to warm up, my mind goes to one thing…. grill season! This healthy and delicious grilled chicken with pineapple salsa is perfect for a summertime barbecue or a quick weeknight dinner. It’s low in fat, high in protein, and packed with vitamins and minerals. Pineapple is not only sweet and delicious but also loaded with nutrients. Pineapple is a rich source of antioxidants, such as vitamin C and beta-carotene, which can help protect the body against oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce pain and swelling in conditions such as osteoarthritis and sports injuries. Additionally, pineapple is high in fiber, which can promote digestive health and regulate blood sugar levels. This recipe is full of Anti-Inflammatory Benefits and such an easy to way to ensure you are eating well and ultimately living well! There is a ton of room for customization with this one too, so let me know what you did to make it your own!
Research
“Evidence from several in vitro and in vivo studies highlights its excellent bioavailability, lack of side effects, and broad spectrum of medical efficacies, of which the antiphlogistic properties are among the most valuable ones. Bromelain has indeed been employed for the efficient treatment of many inflammatory disorders, ranging from osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases to cancer-related inflammation.”
“Pineapples have anti-inflammatory properties that may help enhance your immune function.”
“Pineapple contains considerable amounts of bioactive compounds, dietary fiber, minerals, and nutrients. In addition, pineapple has been proven to have various health benefits including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity, monitoring nervous system function, and healing bowel movement.”
“From the review, it is proven that pineapples have various health benefits and are a potential breakthrough in the agricultural and food industries.”
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups fresh pineapple, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
Directions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and olive oil.
- Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side or until fully cooked through.
- In a medium bowl, mix together pineapple, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño pepper, cilantro, and lime juice (can add other peppers, veggies, sauces to desired spice level)
- Serve grilled chicken topped with pineapple salsa.
References
Basu, A., & Lyons, T. J. (2012). Strawberries, blueberries, and cranberries in the metabolic syndrome: clinical perspectives. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 60(23), 5687-5692.
Brien, S., Lewith, G., Walker, A. F., Middleton, R., & Prescott, P. (2006). Bromelain as a treatment for osteoarthritis: a review of clinical studies. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 3(3), 379-388.
Bottega R, Persico I, De Seta F, Romano F, Di Lorenzo G. Anti-inflammatory properties of a proprietary bromelain extract (Bromeyal™) after in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2021 Jan-Dec;35:20587384211034686. doi: 10.1177/20587384211034686. PMID: 34387509; PMCID: PMC8366142.
Maimunah Mohd Ali, Norhashila Hashim, Samsuzana Abd Aziz, Ola Lasekan,
Pineapple (Ananas comosus): A comprehensive review of nutritional values, volatile compounds, health benefits, and potential food products, Food Research International,
Volume 137, 2020, 109675, ISSN 0963-9969, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109675.
Miller, E. R., Pastor-Barriuso, R., Dalal, D., Riemersma, R. A., Appel, L. J., & Guallar, E. (2005). Meta-analysis: high-dosage vitamin E supplementation may increase all-cause mortality. Annals of Internal Medicine, 142(1), 37-46.
Our Message
When you are looking for a Chiropractor near you that you can trust, choose one who will not only get rid of your back pain, neck pain, or headaches but who will also guide you to living a healthier lifestyle to keep you out of pain. Our Chiropractors located in Dallas, near the corner of Mockingbird Ln. and Abrams, will teach you what the research says about how and why we should eat a better diet, move more and have more positive thoughts. By improving these areas of our lives we can restore motion, decrease pain and reduce stress by staying positive!