The juicy fruit called the pineapple originated in South America. It is thought to be named by Europeans who commonly referred to fruit as apples and associated the resemblance of the fruit to that of the pinecone. It is truthfully not an apple or a pinecone, it is a bromeliad. Pineapples are not a single fruit, rather they consist of a group of berries that have fused together to become a collective fruit. Like many other fruits, pineapples are packed with powerful nutrients and antioxidants. One of the things that sets pineapples apart from some other fruits is its ability to fight inflammation and disease. Per WebMD, a leading source of health and nutrition information, pineapples contain manganese, vitamin C, Copper, Vitamin B6, Thiamine (B1), beta-carotene, and vitamin A. However, it’s the bromelain in pineapples that triggers the body’s ability to fight pain and reduce swelling and inflammation. For these reasons, pineapple may be used to help treat sports injuries and reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis. Bromelain may also benefit people with colds and allergies by reducing congestion. Due to the pineapple’s medicinal properties, and possible side effects, it’s important for people to check with their doctor before consuming them. This is especially necessary for people with preexisting conditions, food allergies, or kidney disease.
Perfect pineapple parfait recipe:
(serves 4)
Ingredients:
• 2 cups fresh chopped fresh ripened pineapple (bite-size pieces)
• 2 cups cubed store-bought or homemade pound cake (bite-size pieces)
• 2 cups vanilla pudding (16 oz.)
• 1 cup whipped topping
• 4 maraschino cherries*
Directions:
In four tall glasses, neatly and evenly layer some pound cake, pudding, then pineapple. Repeat layer once more until each glass is nearly full. Then add a big dollop of whipped topping and top each glass with a cherry. Enjoy!
*Maraschino cherries are preserved, sweetened cherries that are typically made from light-colored sweet cherries such as the Royal Ann, Rainier, or Gold varieties. Originally, the name referred to those grown in Croatia and soaked in Maraschino wine from Italy.