healthy
Pineapples are touted as the ultimate home remedy for colds and flu – but what does the science say?
Victa Malishchicz – stock.adobe.com
A pineapple a day keeps the doctor away?
A tropical fruit-loving mum has gone viral with a series of unusual tips on how to kill cold and flu germs this winter by drinking lots of pineapple water.
“This is my go-to when my family gets sick. It’s quick and easy to make and one of my best discoveries about natural cold/flu remedies.” Jewell is on TikTok as @raisereverie. he wrote in the caption of a video that has racked up 8.2 million views since it was posted a few weeks ago.
Jewell claimed that drinking the suddenly popular solution could alleviate symptoms of the disease.
“Whenever someone in our family starts to feel sick, I run to the store and buy a pineapple. Not only is pineapple delicious, it’s packed with vitamins and minerals that can help you fight infection,” she says.
The enterprising mum showed her followers how to make the concoction.
“So whenever someone in our family gets sick, I just make pineapple water,” she added.
She then detailed the easy-to-make recipe on camera.
“You’ll be using the entire pineapple, except for the crown, so be sure to wash the outside of the pineapple thoroughly,” she says.
Jewell then placed the pineapple in a solution of water and vinegar in the sink to properly clean the fruit.
“Then we get a pot of water and boil it – I don’t have a way to measure the amount of water. I just fill the pot about halfway and once the pineapples are added I pour the water into the pot. Water will be removed or added as needed,” she explain.
Then she chopped the pineapple and added it to the pot.
“While you’re waiting for the water to boil, chop the pineapple into small pieces,” she adds.
“After you put all the pineapples in the boiling water, wait for the water to boil again and then turn off the heat,” she explains.
She then lets the pineapple soak for “a few minutes” before pouring the pineapple water through a sieve into the jug, leaving behind any pineapple slices.
She says people can add some honey (another anti-inflammatory) to the mix.
“Hot foods can soothe a sore throat, and cold foods can boost immunity,” she says.
Some of his followers expressed gratitude for the advice.
“Fork! I’ve been doing this for two years, I swear! I also add cinnamon, cloves, ginger and honey,” one person said.
“Great for bloating and inflammation. I had a tummy tuck and my nurse gave it to me twice a day to help with the swelling,” said another.
Other viewers didn’t quite see the benefit.
“Why not just eat the pineapple?” someone mused. Jewell responded that her recipe kept patients more hydrated than eating pineapple alone.
Pineapple is a nutritious fruit, but the jury is still out on its healing powers.
“Pineapple contains bromelain, a group of enzymes found in the stem and fruit of the pineapple. Some people use it to treat bronchitis and sinusitis because of its ability to dissolve mucus and its anti-inflammatory properties,” according to Medicine Today News” article.
“There are some small studies on the use of bromelain to treat sinusitis. However, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH) states that there are not enough high-quality studies from trusted sources to provide this,” the authors wrote.
While pineapple may not be proven to be a miracle worker, it does have immune-boosting and antibacterial properties.
This fruit is rich in vitamin C to support immune health, fiber to aid digestion, manganese to prevent cell damage, as well as beta carotene, copper, zinc and folate.
Meanwhile, elsewhere on TikTok – the hashtag #Pineapplehacks currently has more than 3.7 million views – some influencers insist pineapples can help you sleep better.
This time, experts appear to be in agreement.
“Pineapple is one of the foods that has a reasonable amount of natural melatonin,” sleep coach and hypnotherapist Dave Gibson explains to British wellness company Vitabiotics.
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain in the dark that balances the body’s circadian rhythm to improve sleep.
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