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Community Corner

Pineapple: What's Not to Love?

Summertime is here, which means our favorite fruits are in season. Time to taste the delights of the season.

My husband brought home a fresh pineapple yesterday and it was gone in one day. Everyone in my family loved it and it was so great to see my kids enjoying fresh fruit with comments like, “This is my favorite fruit mom. We should have this every day.”

It’s hard for me to think about pineapple without going straight to Hawaii and our summer trip before our kids were born. We would go and buy a fresh pineapple in the morning and have it for breakfast. Those were the days!

Pineapple has more than great memories; it’s a healthy treat as well. Pineapple is rich in manganese, which is a trace mineral needed for the formation of connective tissue and bones as well as the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates.

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In addition, pineapple is a good source for vitamin C, which is one of our most essential water-soluble vitamins. Vitamin C is an immune system booster and antioxidant.

Pineapple also contains vitamin A, which unlike vitamin C is a fat-soluble vitamin. This vitamin A is necessary for the maintenance of bone growth, tooth development, skin and eye function. We are not done yet; pineapple also contains a proteolytic enzyme called bromelain that aids in the digestive process.

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Some of the best desserts and main courses in the American diet are served with pineapple.

For example, pineapple upside-down cake is a popular choice for group gatherings and my personal favorite, a Teriyaki chicken burger with a slice of pineapple and mozzarella cheese. Don’t forget the salads—pineapple can be a great addition to any fruit salad.

No matter how you eat your pineapple, enjoy!

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