Have you been throwing out your pineapple peels? Well, I urge you to reconsider as there are some health-packed (and planet-friendly) reasons why you might want to keep these next time.
Pineapples are praised for their anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting abilities due to a powerful enzyme they carry called bromelain. Pineapple peels, have been used extensively in my country, Colombia, due to their heavy content of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that combat disease. The skin of the pineapple is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and other helpful compounds that can help fight inflammation, and consuming pineapple water is an easy way to reap peels' benefits.
So, drink up your pineapple agua! This concoction is another one of my mom’s best-kept self-care secrets, and as simple as it sounds, pineapple peel water makes for an excellent natural diuretic that’s been typically used after procedures or during pregnancy to get your juices flowing. I have been drinking it daily in my third trimester and has made drinking water a lot more juicy!
Here's how:
- Start by setting aside all of the peel and trimmings of one large pineapple. Then place the outer skins in a medium saucepan with water to submerge the pineapple body, and let it simmer on low heat for 25 to 35 minutes. Turn the heat off and let this concoction steep for another 30 minutes before straining the peels out. Serve hot or cold. ( It also makes for an excellent water-based flavoring substitute worth keeping around your kitchen. )
Benefits:
- Acts as a diuretic - The pineapple peel contains various minerals that help eliminate toxins. When consumed, the minerals act as a natural diuretic and give your kidneys a cleanse.
- Works as an anti-inflammatory - The main property of the pineapple peel is bromelain; This enzyme reduces swelling and inflammation by eliminating toxins in the body.
- Improves digestion - The bromelain enzyme is also known to quickly break down nutrients and dead tissue in the digestive tract, improving bowel function, and is great for constipation.
- Loaded with Vitamins & Antioxidants - Not only are pineapples rich in nutrients, but they are also loaded with healthy antioxidants. These antioxidants (flavonoids and phenolic acids) help to combat different infections and strengthen your body’s defense when fighting different bacteria.
- Bone-strengthening properties - Pineapple skin is packed with manganese and beta carotene which has been shown to stimulate the production of bone-forming cells and protect bone cells from damage.
