Pineapple Peel Tea: From Waste to Wellness

If you love sipping healthy and easy-to-make beverages full of nutrients, Pineapple peel tea is an excellent choice. Pineapple was one of my favorite fruit until I knew; the peel I trash is also incredible. Are you aware that pineapple peel contains vitamins and minerals that can enhance your health? For instance, it has vitamin C, which fortifies your immune system and nourishes your skin. Moreover, pineapple peel (3) (4) is an excellent source of vitamin B6, which regulates your mood and supports brain function. Other vital nutrients in pineapple peel include potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which are essential for maintaining robust bones (6) and muscles.

It's crucial to mention that Bromelain, (1) (7) a collection of enzymes, can be found in the pineapple plant’s fruit and stem. Bromelain possesses antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. (2) Bromelain has been used for ages as a dietary supplement for reducing pain and swelling, especially of the nose, sinuses, gums, and other body parts after surgery or injury. In addition, it is used for osteoarthritis, cancer, and muscle soreness. (2) Pineapple peel extract is a potential probiotic (5) that aids good digestion. It also has a mucolytic effect, dissolves mucus and phlegm from the lungs, and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. In addition, pineapple tea acts as a natural diuretic and flushes excess toxins from the body. Pineapple peel tea is made in different ways and is customizable. I add cinnamon sticks to enhance their taste and nutritional value. You can add ginger, mint leaves, and cloves according to your palate. You can drink this tea hot or cold as you please. It has a pleasant taste, slightly sweet and refreshing. See how much we can reap from a peel we throw regularly. Therefore, don't discard the peel the next time you consume pineapple; we are extracting the best from waste here.

Caution

1. Do not incorporate pineapple peel tea if you are allergic to pineapple.

2. Using organic pineapple to make tea is advisable, refraining from pesticide residue on the peel. Besides, cleaning pineapples with a vegetable brush is also recommended to remove dirt.

3. Consuming excessive pineapple peel tea may cause digestive discomfort, bloating, or diarrhea. Therefore, adapting your intake to your body's response is imperative.

Serves- 3-4

Preparation time- 10 mins

Cooking time - 20 mins

Total time- 30 mins

Ingredients

Pineapple peel- 1 pineapple

Water- 6 cups

Cinnamon stick-1

(or grated ginger, mint leaves)

Honey – (optional)

Directions

1. Thoroughly Wash the pineapple with the vegetable brush to clean dirt and potential pesticidal residue. Then, chop the pineapple and keep the peel aside.

2. Add pineapple peel, cinnamon stick, and water to the saucepan, switch on the stove, and simmer for 20 mins.

3. Strain the tea and Enjoy.

(Tip- You can preserve the tea for a week in the refrigerator to enjoy it later)

References

1. Bromelain, a Group of Pineapple Proteolytic Complex Enzymes ( Ananas comosus) and Their Possible Therapeutic and Clinical Effects. A Summary - PubMed (nih.gov)

2. Bromelain and acetylcysteine (BromAc®): a novel approach to the treatment of mucinous tumors - PubMed (nih.gov)

3. Foods | Free Full-Text | Impact of Simulated Human Gastrointestinal Digestion on the Bioactive Fraction of Upcycled Pineapple By-Products (mdpi.com)

4. Purification and characterization of bromelain from pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) peel waste - PubMed (nih.gov)

5. Potential of pineapple peel in the alternative composition of culture media for biosurfactant production - PubMed (nih.gov)

6. Bromelain: biochemistry, pharmacology, and medical use - PubMed (nih.gov)e role of nutrients in bone health, from A to Z - PubMed (nih.gov)

7. Bromelain, the enzyme complex of pineapple (Ananas comosus) and its clinical application. An update - PubMed (nih.gov)