Benefits of Drinking Pineapple Water and Is It Really Good For You
Written by Olena Lastivka
Olena is a nutrition and healthcare writer, runner, and gym enthusiast. She is keen on health and fitness research, modern studies on sports and nutrition, and various physical activities.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Olena Avdiievska, MD, RDN
Dr. Olena Avdiievska is a nutritional and medical expert at Unimeal. She is an MD and RDN in Dietology and nutrition and a university professor with 76 scientific publications.
In this article, we will share some practical and scientific-based knowledge about pineapple water. Here, you will understand how it influences your body and the weight loss process. You will also learn how to prepare pineapple water in several different ways!
What is pineapple water?
Pineapple water is fruit-infused water that has a slight pineapple taste. It can also contain other ingredients such as ice, mint, cinnamon, or other fruits.
1 cup (250 ml) of pineapple water contains only 20 calories if you eat the pineapples from the bottom. It is a great source of antioxidants such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. It also contains sufficient doses of vitamins A, B6, E, and C1USDA Food Data Central. (2019, April 1). Pineapple, raw, all varieties. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service. Retrieved from https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169124/nutrients.
What is pineapple water good for?
You shouldn't expect much from fruit-infused water in terms of its nutritional qualities and active components. But here are some things that you should know about pineapple water.
Pineapple-infused water has certain benefits:
- Keeps water balance. When you take care of preparing some pineapple water, it is more likely that you will drink it.
- Has zero calories. You might consume a little energy when you eat pineapples. If you only drink pineapple water, there are no calories at all.
- Tastes better than plain water. With the sweet taste, you can enjoy your drinks and take care of your health at the same time. It also works well when you need to convince a child to drink more liquid.
- Cuts sugar intake. Pineapple water has a slightly sweet taste, so you can drink it instead of eating snacks. It is also an excellent replacement for binge eating or high-calorie drinks.
- Helps digestion. Pineapple water contains Bromelain, which helps to protect your digestive tract from different bacteria and reduces gut inflammation. It also helps to digest protein easier and faster2Huang, Y. L., Tsai, Y. H., & Chow, C. J. (2014, March 12). Water-insoluble fiber-rich fraction from pineapple peel improves intestinal function in hamsters: evidence from cecal and fecal indicators. Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.). DOI:10.1016/j.nutres.2014.03.001.
- Has an anti-inflammatory effect. Bromelain also helps to reduce inflammation that might be an effect of chronic or acute illnesses3Pavan R, Jain S, Shraddha, Kumar A. (2012, December 10). Properties and Therapeutic Application of Bromelain: A Review Biotechnol Res Int. DOI:10.1155/2012/976203. But it is still better to choose prescribed medication in severe cases.
Is it good for weight loss?
A healthy water balance is definitely a significant advantage to weight loss and your body in general. It can improve your skin condition, sleep quality, digestion, and appetite control. However, it only helps to lose weight when you can maintain a healthy calorie deficit (up to 500 calories a day).
Pineapple water doesn't contribute to weight loss or detox your body if you have poor eating habits. However, you can see results if you replace high-calorie fizzy drinks with pineapple water. Studies have shown that you can effortlessly decrease your calorie intake by 9% (or about 180 calories) if you drink enough water4Muckelbauer, R., Sarganas, G., Grüneis, A., & Müller-Nordhorn, J. (2013, June 26). Association between water consumption and body weight outcomes: a systematic review. The American journal of clinical nutrition. DOI:10.3945/ajcn.112.055061.
Studies suggest that increased water intake can help you lose weight faster. You also burn calories when you digest water, which can slightly increase your metabolism. Drinking water before meals can make you feel fuller and eat less as a result5Van Walleghen, E. L., Orr, J. S., Gentile, C. L., & Davy, B. M. (2007). Pre-meal water consumption reduces meal energy intake in older but not younger subjects. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.). DOI:10.1038/oby.2007.506.
See also: Healthy Water Intake: How Much Water Should You Drink a Day
How to make pineapple water?
The good part about pineapple water is that it is very easy to make. Here are three pineapple water recipes we want to share with you:
- Chop a ripe pineapple into cubes and put it in the bottom of a big jar. Add ice and mint to create a fresh taste. Pour some cold and fresh water into the jar. Wait about 15 minutes, so the water saturates with the pineapple taste.
- This one is more like a pineapple smoothie. Cut a pineapple into cubes or chunks. Blend it with water, ice, and mint. Add a little sugar to the drink if you can't find a ripe pineapple.
See also: Pineapple-mango smoothie recipe
If you want to go with a more sophisticated version, try making it with pineapple peel. You probably throw it away after eating pineapples, but we know how to put it to use. This pineapple water can be served hot, which makes it a perfect winter drink.
- Cut the rind into several big pieces to fit in a saucepan and pour some water over it. You will need about two liters for an average pineapple. You can also add some cinnamon, ginger, cloves, or other spices to your taste. Boil for 10-20 minutes. Serve hot if you want to drink it as tea. Cool down naturally, or put it in a big jar with ice if you want a cool drink.
Final words
Pineapple water is a healthy and diverse drink, but it can be effective only with a high-quality diet and sleeping. Certainly, it can be a part of your healthy lifestyle, but don't expect any miracles! Although it has certain health benefits, most of them come from drinking enough water. If you quit eating junk snacks and replace them with pineapple water, it is more likely that you will lose weight. Try preparing pineapple water in different variations, don't be afraid to add other ingredients, and remember that you can always invent your own perfect formula for this drink.
Unimeal does not diagnose or suggest treatments. Any description of the diet, training plan or supplement should be discussed with your current physician or nutritionist. This article does not address specific conditions and is simply meant to provide general information on healthcare topics. Following any advice is at your own initiative and does not impose any responsibility on the blog authors for your health and safety.
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