Pineapple is the fruit of Ananas comosus plant. It belongs to the Bromeliaceae family and it is native to Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. Often people think pineapple to have the property to burn fat, but it is not true: in fact it is simply rich in the enzyme bromelain, which promotes protein digestion. This means that pineapple is suggested after a highly protein meal. Bromelain is inactivated by high temperatures, so it is always better to prefer fresh pineapple. Citric acid also has digestive properties and gives to this fruit its characteristic flavor in combination with sugar. Pineapple is particularly rich in vitamin C (useful for preventing scurvy) vitamin A (important for the eyesight) and potassium. Finally, the high water content gives to pineapple excellent diuretic properties.
Francesca Locatelli