Nutritional Value and Medicinal Benefits of Pineapple

Abstract

This paper discusses nutritional values and importance of pineapple in the health aspects. Thailand, Philippines, Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, China, Nigeria, Kenya, Indonesia, Hawaii, India, Bangladesh are the major pineapple producing countries. The demand of pineapple in the international market is expanding day by day. Generally, the ripen pineapple fruit is consumed fresh and juice as source of essential minerals and vitamins with some medicinal values. Pineapple contains considerable calcium, potassium, fibre and vitamin C. Various food items like jam, jelly, pickles are produced from pineapple. Qualities of pineapple vary due to growing environment and variety. Ripening agents accelerates ripening, but affects the nutritional quality of the pineapple fruits.