Sometime this year, I visited a family friend and I saw he was drinking herbal tea. He told me he had weaned himself off metformin (a diabetes medication) because the tea regulates his blood sugar. He said he was so impressed by the result that he had to buy the tea for many people.

I looked at the pack and I saw it has NAFDAC approval and that got me more interested in it. I had to travel down to Osogbo in Osun state to see the tea maker. At Osogbo, I had a lengthy discussion with Mr Fadele Oluwafunso Adebowale, the CEO of Ancient Organic Herbal Enterprise and Research Home, the maker of this tea.

He told me his grandfather taught him the rudiments of herbal medicine. This is a wake-up call to persons who have people who are versed in herbal knowledge in their lineage; do not let them take this knowledge to their graves, humanity needs them. He told me a lot about the tea and some other products from his stable that are already NAFDAC-approved. That same day, we had a deal and I became a marketer of his products.

It is impressive that herbal medicine has evolved. Also, with NAFDAC approval, one’s mind is at peace that the product has undergone clinical studies and the safety is ascertained. Dr C Pfeiffer was right when he said for every drug that benefits a patient, there is a natural substance that can achieve the same effect.

This week, I will be discussing pineapple, botanically known as Ananas comosus. It is in the family Bromeliaceae. Pineapple contains a protein-digesting enzyme called Bromelain which is derived from the stems, although it exists in all parts of the fresh fruit. The medicinal qualities of pineapples are attributed to bromelain.

Bromelain can break down tough meat proteins, which is why it is often used as a meat tenderizer commercially. Pineapple is a good source of several phytochemicals, such as flavonoids; coumaric acid, ellagic acid, ferulic acid and chlorogenic acid.

It contains a significant amount of dietary fibre and it is also a source of important vitamins and minerals like thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, manganese, potassium, beta-carotene and other antioxidants.

While we were on medicine in the unlikely plant part series in 2022, I discussed pineapple leaves and peels extensively. So, if you have not read it and you are interested, let me know. I will send the link to you.

Some of us already know that the leaves, which is the part that is planted, can be boiled and the water taken as tea. The peels can be boiled and the water taken as tea too. Most people cook the peels with zobo.

In a laboratory study from 2015, researchers exposed cancer cells to fresh pineapple juice. They found that juice from the core, stem and flesh suppressed the growth of ovarian and colon cancer cells.

One test-tube study found that bromelain suppressed the growth of breast cancer cells and stimulated cell death. In a 9-day study from 2014, 98 healthy children ate either no pineapple, roughly 1 cup (140 g) of pineapple or roughly 2 cups (280 g) of pineapple daily.

Those who ate pineapple had a significantly lower risk of viral and bacterial infections. Also, the children who ate the most of this fruit had almost four times more disease-fighting white blood cells than the other groups.

In another study in people with osteoarthritis, a digestive enzyme supplement containing bromelain helped relieve pain as effectively as common arthritis medicines.

Several studies have shown that bromelain may reduce the inflammation, swelling, bruising and pain that often occur after surgery. It may likewise reduce markers of inflammation. It may even reduce discomfort, pain or swelling after dental surgery.

Let us check some of Pineapple’s health benefits. Several studies note that pineapple and its compounds, including bromelain, may reduce cancer risk by minimising oxidative stress and reducing inflammation.

Some studies show that bromelain may also help treat cancer that has already developed. Pineapples contain various vitamins, minerals and enzymes, such as bromelain that may collectively improve immunity and reduce inflammation. Bromelain’s anti-inflammatory properties may provide pain relief for those with inflammatory arthritis.

Pineapple contains vitamin C and beta-carotene. These antioxidants can help reduce wrinkles and improve overall skin texture. Pineapples aid digestion. It boosts immunity. It promotes tissue healing. It has antioxidant activity. It lowers cholesterol.

A study titled Pineapple consumption reduced cardiac oxidative stress and inflammation in high cholesterol diet-fed rats by Porrnthanate Seenak et al concludes that pineapple possesses antioxidant and lipid-lowering properties, therefore, daily consumption can reduce hypercholesterolemia-induced cardiac lipid peroxidation and pro-inflammation in an in vivo model.

This study has demonstrated that pineapple is a potential candidate for cardioprotection against hypercholesterolemia.

According to Pavithra N Raj, Chief Dietician at Columbia Asia Hospital  “Pineapple is a powerhouse of nutrition. It is loaded with vitamin C, vitamin B12 (thiamine), iron, antioxidants, bioflavonoids, anti-inflammatory properties and is rich in magnesium and potassium.

It also contains the enzyme bromelain which aids digestion and acts as a diuretic. Pineapple is rich in fibre which can keep you full for longer and slow down the absorption of sugar but a medium GI score makes it not-so-good for blood sugar levels.”

A study titled Antibacterial effect of pineapple (Ananas comosus) extract towards staphylococcus aureus by Yong Ker Loon et al concludes that pineapple extract had an antibacterial effect towards staphylococcus aureus due to the bromelain compound and its phytochemical factors such as Vitamin C and flavonoid.

A study titled “In Vitro Antiproliferative Activity of Fresh Pineapple Juices on Ovarian and Colon Cancer Cell Lines” by Madihah Binti Abdul Gani concludes that a 100 μg/ml concentration of bromelain would efficiently inhibit the cancer cells without affecting the surrounding normal cells.

In a study titled, “Pineapple peel wastes (PPW) as a potential source of antioxidant compounds” by Saraswaty et al, the results showed PPW contained phenolic compounds, ferulic acid, and vitamins A and C as antioxidants. Both dried and fresh PPW were extracted using mixtures of ethanol and water with various concentrations and the highest antioxidant activity was in the water extract

In a study titled, “Ameliorating hyperglycemia by Ananas comosus leaves extracts,’’ by Atiq Ur Rahman, the study was carried out on 20 male rats. Rats were provided with A. comosus leaf extract for 35 days.

Serum samples were collected to check the level of serum glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, AST, ALP, ALT, uric acid, urea and creatinine. Results indicated that A. comosus leaves have anti-diabetic properties and do not possess any harmful effects on the kidney and liver.

A study titled “An Evaluation of the Effects of Pineapple-Extract and Bromelain-Based Treatment after Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Randomised Three-Arm Clinical Study” by Alessandro Colletti et al concludes that bromelain is potentially effective against various conditions associated with inflammation. This justifies its consideration as a potential alternative to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Diabetics should avoid pineapples, but if they want to eat it, they should pair it with foods that have a low glycemic index.