Pineapple has been used in Central and South America as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory for centuries. Bromelain, an enzyme in the fruit, was first isolated in the 1800s, and is a popular treatment in Germany to relieve inflammation after surgery. Whole pineapple does not contain as much bromelain as refined supplements, and research has not proven that the fruit itself can relieve degenerative disk symptoms.
Disks
Your spine is made up of alternating layers of vertebrae and disks. The disks are cushions that allow you to turn and bend. These pads are tough on the outside and soft on the inside. Over time, the thick outer layer can deteriorate, allowing the disk to bend out of shape and put pressure on the super-sensitive spinal nerves, causing pain and swelling. Smokers and the overweight are at higher risk for this disorder, which usually strikes around middle age.
Bromelain
The group of pineapple enzymes that may counteract inflammation is called bromelain, a family of protein digesting, or proteolytic, enzymes. According to MedLine Plus, bromelain helps your body make substances that fight pain and swelling. Bromelain is in both the stem and the fruit of the pineapple. Supplements are usually derived from the stem.
Bromelain and whole pineapple are generally safe for most people, but it is possible to have an allergic reaction.
Effects
More research needs to be done to understand the exact effects of pineapple on degenerative disk disorder. So far, most research has used refined bromelain supplements, not whole pineapple, arthritis sufferers. Although arthritis and disk degeneration have some similarities -- both involve pain and swelling -- they are different disorders.
Research has shown mixed results when arthritis sufferers used bromelain supplements: some people reported that they felt as much of an improvement as those who were taking traditional over-the-counter medications. In other studies, however, people taking bromelain did not have better results than those taking a placebo. (See ref 4,1)
Recommendations
The American Dietetic Association recommends getting your nutrients through a balanced diet made up of whole foods instead of relying on supplements. Choose fresh or frozen pineapple over canned for maximal nutrition with minimal sugar.
Although it may not cure your back problems, the fruit can be a part of a healthy diet. The United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, recommends having half your plate made up of fruits and vegetables at each meal. That leaves plenty of opportunity for pineapple: consider blending a cup of frozen pineapple with orange juice and strawberries for a breakfast smoothie or spooning crushed pineapple on top of your salad instead of dressing at dinner.
References
- "The Journal of Clinical Biochemical Nutrition": Indian Herbal Medicines: Possible Potent Therapeutic Agents for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Brijesh Rathore: 2007
- American Dietetic Association: Nutrient Supplementation
- United States Department of Agriculture: ChooseMyPlate.gov
- MedLine Plus: Bromelain
- American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Herniated Disk
