Day 78 - Tropical Fruits -- Pineapple, Part Three

More on my survey of the tasty and healthy pineapple!  The pineapple is a tropical fruit which originated  in southern Brazil and Paraguay and is now grown in many tropical areas, especially in Hawaii.  The health benefits of eating pineapple are numerous.  Here are the top ten.

1) Pineapple is a rich source of vitamin C and contains antioxidants that  protect against cancer.  It also contains bromelain enzymes which slow down the growth of cancerous cells
2) Pineapple reduces the risk of hypertension. because it contains high amount of sodium and  potassium.
3) Pineapple is a natural remedy for angina because it improves the blood circulation in narrowed arteries
4) Pineapples reduces the risk of blood clots and prevents heart attack as it is rich with the bromelain enzyme
5) Pineapple is very efficient in treating arteriosclerosis and anemia
6) Pineapple helps in building up strong  healthy bones. Because it is rich with manganese and minerals (necessary for building bones) it is used  to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
7) Pineapples prevents plaque and gum diseases as it is rich with  vitamin C.
8) Pineapple accelerates the healing of wounds and it keeps skin soft as it contains enzymes that make skin elastic,  It also cures infected tissue resulting from injuries and reduce brown age spots
9) Fresh pineapple juice is a natural remedy for cold and flu as it is  rich with vitamin c more than orange juice drinking 3 cups of pineapple juice helps a body to recover from  the flu.
10) The bromelain enzyme in the pineapple is helpful in digestion, reduces bloating, nausea, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.

And if that isn't enough, pineapple is helpful in removing intestinal worms, is great for the brain and memory loss, is a diuretic and a good source of manganese,which helps produce energy and is helpful in preventing goiters.

I found this vegan Pineapple Upside-Down cake that looks like it would be fun to make!  It's fat-free, too.


Nearly Fat Free Pineapple Upside Down Cake


Topping
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 (16 ounce) can pineapple slices
maraschino cherries

Cake
3/4 cup cake flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup soy milk
egg substitute for 2 egg whites
1/3 cup corn syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Lightly spray a 9-inch round cake pan with oil.  Stir together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons corn syrup and lemon juice. Pour into pan, place in 350 degree oven for 3 minutes until sugar is melted.. Arrange pineapple slices in pan with a cherry in the center of each ring.  In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients.  In a small bowl, beat sugar and milk together to dissolve sugar, then add remaining ingredients and mix.  Add wet ingredients to dry and whisk until smooth.  Pour over pineapple topping.  Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Let stand for a few minutes before loosening the edges and inverting over a serving plate.