Pineapple is a sweet tropical fruit that enjoyed on its own or offers flavor to many food dishes. Not only does pineapple benefit the taste buds, it benefits the body as well through its vitamin content. According to NutritionData.com, which provides nutritional information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's nutrient database, pineapple is a good source of the vitamins necessary for overall health, making it an excellent addition to any diet.
Vitamin C
One cup of fresh pineapple contains 78.9 mg of vitamin C--a whopping 131 percent of the recommended daily value (DV) based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Getting a full supply of vitamin C is vital to numerous health processes in the body. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the body from damage caused by free radicals. A free radical is a cell that is malfunctioning, and this malfunction can affect other cells and cause them to malfunction as well, which can can lead to illness and disease. According to the Feminist Women's Health Center, vitamin C not only is a powerful antioxidant, but it also boosts the immune system, builds healthy skin and tissues, aids in wound healing, helps the body process fats, minerals and amino acids and helps prevent gum disease.
B Vitamins
The B vitamins are also found in pineapple, with the highest percent of DV coming from thiamine and vitamin B6: 1 cup of fresh pineapple contains 9 percent DV of each of them. Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is essential to the health of the body's muscles, including the heart, and the nervous system. The National Institutes of Health reports that vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is essential to the nervous system, boosts the immune system by producing antibodies and aids in the formation of red blood cells. Other B vitamins in pineapple are riboflavin, niacin, folate and pantothenic acid.
Other Vitamins
Two other vitamins can be found in pineapple: A and K. The Ohio State University Department of Human Nutrition reports that vitamin A, also known as retinol, is necessary for maintaining a healthy immune system and reproductive system, and is important to vision, healthy skin and membranes and overall growth and development. Vitamin K, according to the Linus Pauling Institute, is required for maintaining healthy bone structure, cellular growth and proper clotting of the blood. One cup of fresh pineapple offers 95.7 IU of vitamin A (2 percent DV) and 1.2 mcg of vitamin K (1 percent DV).
Member Comments