Pineapple is good for weight loss, as it’s low in calories, regulates appetite, hydrates, and helps the body burn belly fat.
Pineapple regulates appetite with only a few calories!
Above all, pineapple is good for weight loss, as it has a few calories. Pineapple has only 50 calories per 100g! A slice of pineapple has less than 30 calories. A whole cup of chopped pineapple has only 83 calories.[1]
Moreover, pineapple contains moderate amounts of fiber. Fiber is good for weight loss. Fiber keeps us full for hours. It takes time to digest and keeps the stomach full.[2]
Vitamin C in pineapple supports weight loss
Additionally, pineapple is good for weight loss because it’s a great source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is beneficial for weight loss, due to its antioxidant properties! Vitamin C regulates glucose, reduces inflammation, and helps the body synthesize hormones that burn belly fat.[3]
Bromelain in pineapple helps the body burn belly fat.
Most noteworthy, pineapple is the only food containing high amounts of bromelain. Bromelain is an enzyme with potent anti-inflammatory properties. It has beneficial effects on joint pain. Furthermore, bromelain has powerful lipolytic activity! It helps the body burn belly fat for energy.[4]
Antioxidants in pineapple protect from obesity!
Additionally, pineapple is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which can cause oxidative stress and inflammation. Chronic low-grade inflammation has been linked to obesity. In fact, pineapple contains 8 phenolic compounds: gallic acid, gentisic acid, syringic acid, vanillin, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, isoferulic acid and o-coumaric acid.
Pineapple burns belly fat, as it hydrates the body!
Moreover, pineapple is good for weight loss, as it hydrates the body. It’s mainly water! Actually, around 86% of pineapple is high-quality, purified water! Fruits are natural water filters. We need at least 64 oz of water per day for good health. Water is crucial for weight loss, as it’s involved in fat metabolism.[5]
Furthermore, pineapple hydrates better than tap water because it has electrolytes! A cup has 180 mg potassium, 20 mg magnesium, and 21 mg calcium! Diets high in potassium, magnesium, and calcium support weight loss!
Other important electrolytes are sodium and chloride. We can get high amounts from half a tsp of salt!
Pineapple has a low Glycemic Load
Furthermore, pineapple is good for weight loss, as it has a pretty low glycemic load of 6. Foods with a low glycemic load tend to be more filling and reduce insulin secretion. On the contrary, foods with a high glycemic load make us gain weight, as they increase appetite, causing overeating![6]
How much pineapple should I eat a day for weight loss?
Actually, you can eat as much pineapple as you want. As pineapple is low in calories, it won’t make you fat. Even a whole pineapple has only 450 calories!
On the other hand, it’s better to avoid consuming more than a cup of pineapple juice a day if you want to lose weight. Pineapple juice has more sugar per 100g than whole pineapple. Also, pineapple juice can’t regulate appetite, as it has less fiber!
Moreover, you should avoid eating dried pineapple if you want to lose weight. Dried pineapple has too many calories and sugar. It has 73 grams of sugars and 310 calories per 100g! It can spike blood sugar levels.
Only athletes or active people can eat more than 1 oz of dried pineapple or drink more than a cup of pineapple juice per day without gaining weight.
What’s the best time to eat pineapple for weight loss?
The best time to eat pineapple for weight loss is before a high calorie meal. Fiber in pineapple reduces hunger. So, we eat fewer calories. In addition, pineapple can satisfy your sweet tooth. Consuming pineapple instead of fattening sweets supports weight loss!
In addition, you can eat pineapple at night. It can improve sleep quality and duration, as it’s one of the richest foods in melatonin! A good night’s sleep is crucial for maintaining a healthy body weight.
On the other hand, the best time to drink a cup of pineapple juice for weight loss is at breakfast or before/after exercise. The body stores the sugar of pineapple juice as muscle glycogen in the morning or after a workout. Then, it has increased insulin sensitivity.
