Pineapple For Weight Loss – 7 Best Reasons To Include It In Your Diet
If you are wondering how you can manage your sugar cravings and at the same time lose weight, we have got a solution for you. You may try pineapple for weight loss. Yes, you heard it right!
Adding a few slices of this fruit to your diet can go a long way in helping you lose weight, given its rich nutrient profile and the fewer calories it provides.
This article discusses how pineapple helps with weight loss, whether it helps reduce belly fat, and its overall health benefits. Take a look!
Caution: This fruit may trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. In that case, consult your doctor immediately.
In This Article
How Pineapple Helps In Weight Loss
1. Low In Calories
Pineapple is low in calories. One slice (84 g) of pineapple has only 42 calories, which makes this fruit perfect for weight loss.
This juicy and refreshing fruit is loaded with water (1 slice contains 72 g of water), which makes it quite filling and great for curb hunger pangs (1).
2. Low In Carbohydrates
Instead of indulging in refined carbs, it is better to grab a bowl of juicy pineapple slices to fulfil your sugar craving.
Studies have shown that low-carbohydrate foods, along with lifestyle management, help in losing weight (2).
3. Contains Proteolytic Enzymes
Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme, i.e., an enzyme that helps break down protein molecules. It is found in pineapple and has anti-inflammatory properties (3).
A study conducted on Wister rats fed a high-fat diet found that the bromelain found in pineapple juice aids weight loss by regulating the serum leptin and insulin levels (4).
Related: 15 Best Remedies To Lose Weight Naturally In 2 Weeks
4. May Help In Digestion
The bromelain in pineapple acts as a digestive aid (5). It breaks down protein molecules to aid digestion and nutrient absorption. Proper digestion helps reduce bloating and shed some weight.
Related: 14 Home Remedies For Digestive Problems And Prevention Tips
5. Good Source Of Fibre
165 g of pineapple contains 2.3 g of fiber (1). Fiber, both soluble and insoluble, helps you lose weight by adding bulk to your diet and making you feel fuller for longer (6).
6. Curbs Appetite
If you feel the urge to munch on a snack, cut up a pineapple to fill your stomach as it is rich in fiber, juicy, and loaded with water. This will keep your stomach busy for a while.
Fruits rich in fiber help curb appetite, delay gastric emptying and provide satiety (6). This, in turn, helps you cut down on unnecessary calorie intake and aids weight loss.
Related: Natural Appetite Stimulant: Home Remedies, Exercises, And Medicines
7. Powerhouse Of Manganese
Pineapple is rich in manganese (7).
A study conducted in China found that dietary intake of manganese is inversely proportional to abdominal fat and metabolic syndrome (8). So, enjoy pineapple juice or chunks of pineapple as your mid-morning drink or snack to lose weight.
Now, let’s answer the question that is on everyone’s mind.
Does Pineapple Burn Belly Fat?
The enzyme bromelain found in pineapple has lipolytic and proteolytic effects, which helps burn overall body fat (4). Bromelain also increases the rate at which food passes through the stomach and intestines, making it easier to digest. It also targets your belly area when combined with diet, lifestyle changes, and exercise routines.
So, let’s check out how you can consume pineapple to aid weight loss.
How To Consume Pineapple For Weight Loss
1. Pineapple Juice
Serves: 2, Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped pineapple
- Juice of half a lime
- 1 tablespoon organic honey
- A pinch of Himalayan pink salt
How To Prepare
- Toss all the ingredients into a blender.
- Blend well, pour in a glass, and refrigerate.
2. Pineapple And Cucumber Juice
Serves: 3-4 cups, Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 medium-sized cucumbers
- ½ cup chopped pineapple
- 5 celery sticks
- 1-inch fresh, grated ginger
- A pinch of black salt
How To Prepare
- Add all the ingredients in the juicer and blend well.
- Add water to adjust the consistency and sprinkle some salt for taste.
- Drink chilled.
3. Pineapple Iced Tea
Serves: 6, Preparation Time: 10 minutes, Cooking Time: 5 minutes, Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 cups of water
- 1 cup freshly prepared pineapple juice
- 7 tea bags
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
How To Prepare
- Pour the water in a large saucepan and boil it for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the flame and dip the tea bags in it.
- Let the tea steep for at least 5-7 minutes.
- Add the pineapple juice to the tea and stir well.
- Refrigerate the decoction to enjoy chilled pineapple tea.
Stylecraze Says Alternatively, you can also add ½ tablespoon of ginger or turmeric or 2 pinches of cinnamon powder to enhance the flavour of your pineapple juice and lose weight effectively.
4. Pineapple Smoothie
Serves: 2, Preparation Time: 5 minutes, Cooking Time: 1 minute, Total Time: 6 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup fresh pineapple juice
- 1 medium-sized banana
- 1 ½ cups pineapple chunks
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
How To Prepare
- Put all the ingredients in a blender.
- Blend till you achieve a smooth consistency. Add water to adjust the consistency.
- Pour the smoothie into glasses and garnish with thinly sliced pineapple wedges.
Pineapple offers many health benefits besides weight loss. Check them out in the next section.
Other Health Benefits Of Pineapple
- The bromelain in pineapple not only aids digestion but also possesses anti-inflammatory properties (9). Thus, it may provide relief from osteoarthritis (10).
- The bromelain and vitamin C in pineapple help boost immunity (11), (12).
- The rich antioxidant profile of pineapple can help reduce oxidative stress in the body (13).
- Bromelain may help treat asthma (14).
- Bromelain also helps treat diarrhea and constipation, aids digestion, regulates the functioning of the small intestine and kidneys, and normalizes the colonic flora (15).
- The malic acid in pineapple improves oral health, boosts immunity, and smoothens your skin (15).
- Manganese, an essential mineral in pineapple, improves bone health (15).
Did You Know? Christopher Columbus used to carry tons of pineapples in his voyages to protect his crew against scurvy after observing the healthful effects of the fruit.
The benefits of pineapple for weight loss are primarily due to its low calorie and anti-inflammatory properties. Rich in dietary fiber and sweet to taste, a few slices of pineapple make you feel full and satiated with healthy nutrition. A good source of manganese, lipolytic, and proteolytic enzymes, pineapple helps burn fat and fight obesity and other signs of metabolic syndrome as well. Once you are aware that you are not allergic to pineapple, you can enjoy this nutritious fruit in smoothies, juice, tea, cocktail, or salads amidst various other preparations.