Burning pains and regurgitation of food back up the esophagus and sometimes all the way into the mouth are sure signs of a condition known as acid reflux or acid indigestion. If you suffer from reflux, then you most likely use antacids or possibly other over-the-counter medicines. Using bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, is a wonderful, natural method to treat reflux symptoms by assisting in protein digestion and to treat yourself to a delicious and healthy snack or dessert.
Step 1
Use only fresh pineapple to be sure of having adequate bromelain enzyme available in the fruit for treating your reflux, suggests AcidRefluxCure.com.
Step 2
Buy a pineapple that is firm but not hard and with skin that is golden-yellow brown for absolute freshness. It should feel heavy due to the amount of juice inside.
Step 3
Prepare the pineapple in one of several ways. To eat as a fruit, remove the leaves and cut the very top off the pineapple. Slice off the skin and remove the little brown dots that remain, which are called eyes.
Step 4
Slice the pineapple and eat around the core--but don't eat the core of the fruit. Pineapple is wonderful for reducing inflammation and encouraging healing, explains AcidRefluxCure.com.
Step 5
Juice the pineapple for a refreshing treat. Use a power juicer for this process and remember to include the skin to utilize the maximum amounts of digestive enzymes that are contained in the rind, says DoctorYourself.com.
Step 6
Eat a piece of pineapple after a meal to help aid with digestion especially of proteins or to soothe a case of reflux, recommends CureAcidReflux.com. Or have a small glass of pineapple juice for relief.
Tips and Warnings
- Store any remaining pineapple in its own juice in the refrigerator. It will keep for several days, although the amount of active enzymes will be reduced over time. Bottled or canned pineapple juice has no active enzymes and can aggravate reflux due to the presence of acids in the juice. Bromelain supplements are available at health food stores if you are unable to tolerate the pineapple fruit or juice.
- The suggestions offered here are for educational purposes and not intended to replace medical advice.
Things You'll Need
- Fresh pineapple
- Power juicer
- Bromelain supplements
