Pineapple juice has long been recommended by natural healers for relief of joint pain. In addition to high levels of antioxidants and assorted beneficial vitamins and minerals, pineapple contains bromelain, an anti-inflammatory enzyme. However, human clinical studies show mixed results, with some supporting pineapple's ability to ease joint pain while others show no difference. Whether your pain arises from a recent sprain or strain or is the result of an inflammatory condition such as osteoarthritis, pineapple juice is probably worth a try. Pineapple juice can interact with prescription medications, so check with your doctor before using it.
Features and Uses
The pineapple, which comes from the tropical perennial plant botanically known as Ananas comosus, is native to South America. Cultivated on a large scale in Hawaii in the early 19th century, pineapple is now grown in Thailand, the Philippines, Brazil and parts of Florida and California. The squarish, thorny fruit develops from many small fruits fused together; the juicy flesh, which can range in color from white to yellow, has a sweet, mildly tangy flavor. Pineapple has been used for centuries in Central and South America as a folk remedy for inflammation. Pineapple juice may ease joint pain. University of Maryland Medical Center reports that bromelain may help healing time, swelling and pain following surgeries and injuries. However, UMMC notes that although bromelain comes from the stem and juice of the pineapple plant, bromelain ingested from dietary sources alone may not be in a high enough dose to have a medicinal effect.
Constituents and Effects
Drugs.com reports that pineapple is rich in the antioxidants citric acid, malic acid and ascorbic acid, and adds that some clinical trials have suggested both have anti-inflammatory and analgesic -- or pain-killing -- effects. A single 8-oz. cup of canned unsweetened pineapple juice also provides 25 mg of vitamin C, or over 25 percent of the recommended daily value for adults. Vitamin C has antioxidant properties -- helping to scavenge destructive free radicals in the body -- and is vital for the production of collagen, essential in wound healing. Zinc is also present in pineapple juice, with an 8-oz. serving yielding .28 mg of this essential mineral. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, zinc plays a role in immune function and wound healing.
Research
Studies on pineapple juice's ability to relieve pain are inconclusive. In an article published in 2003 in "Alternative Medicine Review," the authors noted that the bromelain in pineapple can reduce swelling, bruising, healing time and pain after trauma and surgical procedures, while its content of vitamin C can promote healing by supporting formation of collagen and its immune-boosting and antioxidant effects. However, a clinical study published in 2002 in "Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine" showed that ingestion of bromelain had no effect on symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness, including elbow flexor pain and loss of range of motion. Other studies -- involving pineapple juice and arthritis -- have yielded mixed results.
Considerations
Adverse reactions to pineapple -- including diarrhea, nausea, rash, and vomiting -- have been reported. Drugs.com cautions that consuming large amounts of pineapple or pineapple juice can cause canker sores and irritation around the mouth, while drinking the juice of unripe pineapples can cause violent vomiting. Pineapple juice has blood thinning effects and can interact with prescription medications. The sugars in pineapple juice -- a whopping 24.95 g of sucrose, fructose and glucose per 8-oz. cup of unsweetened juice-- may be of concern if you are diabetic. Consult your doctor before drinking pineapple juice for joint pain.
References
- Drugs.com: Complete Pineapple Information
- USDA National Nutrient Database
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin C
- "Alternative Medicine Review;" Nutritional Support For Wound Healing; D. MacKay and A.L. Miller; November 2003
- "Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine": Comparison of Bromelain; Marcus B. Stone et al.; November 2002
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Bromelain; UMMC Staff; March 2009
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