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Pineapple juice is a unique product containing a lot of water-soluble vitamins. It is involved in the metabolism of lipids and helps to reduce weight. Pineapple juice contains many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, manganese, and copper. Pineapple juice also helps with digestion and can help reduce inflammation. Several equally delicious and satisfying fruit juices contain similar health benefits and can replace pineapple juice.
Benefits of Pineapple Juice
Scientists have proven the benefits of pineapple juice with many studies:
- The composition of the initial product includes a unique enzyme-bromelain, which is found exclusively in pineapples and has an active physiological effect on the body. The enzyme participates in the breakdown of lipid molecules and regulates fat metabolism. Thanks to this function, pineapple juice has an active fat-burning effect and is recommended by people with excess weight. Also, this component has a positive effect on the digestive process, relieves spasmodic pain in the digestive tract, and destroys the pathogenic intestinal microflora.
- Due to the content of B vitamins in the product, the drink has a positive effect on the work of the central nervous system, stimulates the transmission of nerve impulses, and improves memory. This function determines the optimality for use during the study of a large amount of information.
- The presence of vitamin C in the product gives it an immunostimulating function.
- has an antihistamine effect and can reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood.
- we use lotions with pineapple juice in the treatment of sprains and injuries.
- helps to reduce the symptoms of motion sickness during long flights and trips.
- the antibiotic properties of the product and use it for treating colds.
Composition And Nutrient Contents
Pineapple is rich in various vitamins and minerals, has a positive effect on the body. It is often appreciated not for the standard set of useful substances that can be found in any other fruit, but for a certain bromelain enzyme, concentrated mainly in the core of the fruit. To date, science knows that the proteolytic enzyme bromelain promotes the breakdown of proteins, but there is no evidence of its involvement in the process of fat breakdown.
Pineapple can help better assimilate protein foods (meat, fish, dairy products), but it will not get rid of excess weight. In addition to participating in protein breakdown, bromelain also has an anti-inflammatory effect and fights edema. The enzyme contributes to the normalization of intestinal peristalsis, has a beneficial effect on digestion, and helps to get rid of constipation.
Pineapple contains a large amount of vitamin C. Being an antioxidant, it helps to protect healthy cells that are attacked by free radicals, contributes to the protection of the body from bacterial and viral infections.
There are also vitamins of group B in the composition of pineapple. Pineapple also contains vitamin E and beta-carotene. The first is necessary for the normal functioning of the reproductive system. In addition, it provides strengthening of the heart and eye muscles, thus supporting the work of the cardiovascular and visual systems. Vitamin A also has a positive effect on eye health. It contributes to the normal development of a growing organism and is responsible for skin and mucous membranes.
In addition to vitamins, pineapple contains a lot of minerals. The exotic fruit is a rich source of potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Potassium is actively involved in the process of water-salt metabolism. Calcium plays a leading role in the renewal of bone tissue. The level of phosphorus compounds in the body affects the mental and physical activity of a person. Magnesium regulates the heart rate and participates in a large number of enzymatic reactions.
What is Bromelain? A Closer Look
Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme of plant origin that helps to improve digestion. Most of these substances are contained in the core of fresh pineapple, so you can use bromelain both in the form of preparations and simply in the form of pineapple slices. Both in the first and the second case, you will get a sufficient amount of it.
You can find bromelain in the stem and juice of pineapple fruits. It is an anti-inflammatory protein enzyme that helps reduce puffiness. Patients with osteoarthritis often use pineapple juice as an effective pain medication when symptoms flare up.
The main property of bromelain is the ability to break down proteins in gastric juice effectively. In the course of clinical studies, good anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating properties of this substance have been confirmed. It is not absorbed into the blood and is well excreted from the body.
In addition to improving digestion, bromelain is recommended for various gastrointestinal diseases as an anti-inflammatory agent and to accelerate the regeneration of the affected tissue. The practice has proven the positive effect of bromelain in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, and the removal of edema. And it will be interesting for athletes because it helps to restore muscles after training or a match. Bromelain reduces blood clotting, resolves blood clots in blood vessels.
Types Of Substitutes
- Papaya juice contains papain, a bromelain-like proteolytic enzyme that functions as a digestive aid and helps break down protein. Papain has a similar anti-inflammatory effect on pineapple juice and can be useful for reducing inflammation if you suffer from forms of arthritis or asthma. Papaya juice is also a rich source of antioxidant vitamin C.
- Pomegranate juice offers a delicious substitute for pineapple juice. Pomegranate juice shares the anti-inflammatory properties of pineapple juice and is also an excellent ally in the fight against cancer. A 2010 study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry by researchers at the University of Quebec showed that pomegranate extract significantly inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells.
- The old reserve grapefruit juice remains an excellent source of antioxidants. Grapefruit juice also has the bonus of d-limonene, which is a compound designed to prevent the development of skin cancer.
Substitute For Pineapple Juice In The Cake
Papaya is a sweet tropical fruit that can be an excellent substitute for pineapple. It does not have a sour taste and chefs most often use it as a substitute for pineapple in cakes.
However, it is considered the best substitute for pineapple juice in terms of medical reasons. Papaya also contains a significant amount of bromelain, which is responsible for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.
This also makes it an excellent meat softener. It is necessary to eat papaya raw, without heating it, since heating destroys proteolytic enzymes.
Substitute For Pineapple Juice In Teriyaki
Teriyaki sauce is an indispensable part of Asian cuisine. Having spread all over the world, teriyaki has become a common seasoning, and the composition is now slightly different from the original. The sauce includes the following ingredients: garlic (for flavor), ginger (for spice), pineapple (for sweetness), and sesame oil (for bitterness).
Since we use pineapple juice to make the sauce sweet, you can replace it with the main component bromelain.
What Can You Do With Pineapple Juice?
In addition to drinking pineapple juice in its pure form, you can prepare healthy cocktails from it. They are very tasty in combination with orange, apple, peach juices.
Lovers of spicy drinks will have fun trying a cocktail with pineapple juice and carrots, or lemon. Such mixes are prepared simply. Juice is made from each component and they are mixed in equal proportions. But you can also experiment with the ratio of components. The finishing touch is the addition of an ice cube.
Can You Substitute Orange Juice For Pineapple Juice?
Oranges are one of the most widely consumed fruits worldwide. Orange juice is an excellent analog of pineapple juice. Thanks to what?
The properties of orange juice are close to the properties of grapefruit juice. The taste of this drink is perfectly balanced. Due to the high content of citric acid, an orange can produce a small acid. In this, the two juices are very similar: a combination of sweetness and acid.
What Can I Use Instead of Pineapple Juice For Ham?
Asian dishes are famous for their sweet and sour taste. The analog for them should correspond to this balance. The same can we can say about pineapple juice. The substitute should have a good ratio of two opposite tastes.
Ham contains a small percentage of pineapple juice. What should I do if it is not at hand? You can use a combination of lime juice and honey. Lime gives the ham a sour taste and honey sweetness.
As another option, you can consider orange juice. It is very similar in taste saturation to pineapples. You can also consider mango juice, but you will need to add a little lime there.
What Is A Substitute For Crushed Pineapple?
Pineapple is an ideal tropical fruit. In cooking, crushed pineapple is often used, which has several analogs. Crushed pineapple can give the dish a tropical flavor and become an excellent snack. You can crush pineapples at home, but it takes too much time.
1) Filling For Canned Apple Pie. This substitute can add a similar texture and aroma. To get the desired consistency, you should add a little apple juice there. The filling for canned apple pie has an excellent taste. You can make it from apples, butter, spices, and brown sugar. The canned filling is suitable for baking and desserts.
2) Grapefruit. This citrus fruit has a tropical aroma that can help copy the aroma of crushed pineapple. The fruit has a sweet taste and a dominant sour taste. There are many varieties of grapefruit, but the most suitable is pink.
3) Passion fruit. It can recreate the tart and sweet taste of crushed pineapple. The fruit has the same sweet and sour taste, so it is considered a good substitute. The best option is to use passion fruit with purple or yellow pulp.
4) Lime. This fruit not only recreates the taste of pineapple but is also rich in nutrients. The main thing is not to overdo it with the quantity. To give a sweet taste, you can add honey.
5) Orange. The most affordable substitute for pineapple. The fruit provides a well-balanced taste and aroma but contains a large amount of citric acid. Orange slices can create a combination of light bitterness and sweetness. They are well suited for adding to baking.
6) Papaya. This fruit has an oily texture and has a slight bitter tint. To block it, you need to add honey.
Non-Obvious Substitutes For Pineapple Juice
Pineapple is a legend in dietetics. It earned fame thanks to the content of bromelain. The highest concentration of this substance is concentrated in the stems, the upper part, and the stem of the fruit. When canning, the benefits of pineapple disappear altogether: the delicate fruit does not like heat treatment. In cases where the diet still involves pineapple, you can replace it with kiwi. It contains a substance similar to bromelain — actinidin, which also helps to lose weight.
Pineapple substitutes should have both a sweet and slightly sour taste. Pineapple has a persistent taste. Fruits best keep the balance of sour and sweet, so they should be used as substitutes. Some people don’t like the taste of pineapple.
Key specifications for the perfect pineapple substitute:
- desired consistency
- floral and complex fragrance
- some kind sweet and tart
To replace the acidity of pineapple juice a mixture of lime, mango and orange juice is a good option, as well. You will need to find the right balance, depending on the components used. You can add honey or salt to taste.
Closing
There are many substitutes for pineapple juice. Each of them is easily accessible. In choosing, you should start from the purpose of the application. For baking, they use sweeter options, for cooking, more sour ones. The best options are orange, mango, grapefruit, and lime juices. All substitutes are cheap, you can find them at home or in any store. If the taste does not suit you, you should add sugar, salt, or honey.
Pineapple itself is rich in various vitamins and minerals, so many people want to use it. Do not be afraid, other fruit juices also contain many substances. You should think about the taste component of substitutes.
It is worth paying attention to the search for pineapple substitutes in Asian cuisine. For example, in teriyaki sauce, pineapple gives the sweetness, without which the sauce will not be the same. For such dishes, is it worth using sweeter substitutes – honey, mango, or orange juice. Choose the most suitable option for you and use it in your dishes!