We all experience unexpected food cravings for chips, ice cream, pasta, or pizza, but have you ever had a sudden urge to eat pineapples
Craving pineapples may be odd for some people.
There could be various reasons for sudden pineapple cravings, so keep reading to find the answer to why I am craving pineapple and some benefits of eating pineapples.
A Little about Pineapples
Pineapple is a fruit and also referred to as Ananas Comosus, their scientific name. The term “pineapple” comes from the fact that it looks like a pinecone. The fruit is a native of South America and was initially discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, who found it on the coast of Guadeloupe.
Today, just 10% of the world’s pineapple harvests are grown in Hawaii. Mexico, the Philippines, Honduras, Thailand, China, and Costa Rica are some other nations that support the pineapple sector.
The pineapple plant grows slowly and has spiked leaves sticking out of the soil. The fruit develops on a central stem on the plant, takes around two years to form, and is ready to be consumed.
Pineapple is widely available in supermarkets worldwide, people make several delicious dishes with the fruit, and it is reasonably priced given how much fruit you get.
Why Am I Craving Pineapple?
Below are a few reasons why you might be craving pineapples:
Your Body Requires Nutrients of Vitamin C
Pineapples have a lot to offer; they are not only delicious, but they are also high in nutrients and minerals such as vitamin C and magnesium. If you suddenly urge to eat pineapples daily, it is best to seek your doctor’s advice as it might signal an underlying nutrient deficiency.
We recommend talking to a healthcare professional and getting checked for Vitamin C deficiencies if it’s not controlled initially; it may cause severe issues like anemia, teeth and gum problems, or dry and brittle hair.
Your Taste Buds Miss the Flavor of the Fruit
Another reason for craving pineapples is that you might be missing the fruit’s flavor and texture. If pineapple is your all-time favorite fruit, then your pineapple cravings may not be a cause of concern because you may just be missing the fruit’s flavor. However, if the cravings get out of control, it is best to get yourself tested for nutrient deficiencies.
Pregnancy Cravings Are Kicking In
Many women have unexpected cravings for foods they disliked before becoming pregnant. So, even if you disliked pineapples previously, you could crave them while pregnant. Pineapples are healthy and rich in essential minerals and nutrients like B12 that will help you and your baby stay healthy during pregnancy.
You May Be Starting Your Period
A lot of women also crave pineapples right before starting their period. Sometimes our bodies need extra enzymes and nutrients to induce a period; pineapple cravings may signal that your body needs a boost of enzymes to start the menstrual cycle.
Pineapples also have anti-inflammatory properties that may help women ease their period cramping. The fruit also helps regulate the blood flow in our bodies and creates more white and red blood cells, which is excellent for our overall health.
Pineapples May Be Your Comfort Food
Do you crave pineapples when you might be struggling with feelings of anxiety, depression, or sadness? If yes, then pineapples are most probably your comfort foods.
We crave comfort foods when we are sad or going through a rough patch because they act as self-medication and may help us calm our feelings and feel much better.
So, if you crave pineapples on bad days, it is good to give in to the craving and much on the sweet fruit. However, anything in excess is unhealthy, so you should be good as long as you eat the fruit in moderate portions.
Your Body Might Need Melatonin
Pineapple is also an excellent source of melatonin, and studies have shown that consuming pineapple increases melatonin production by over 266 percent. If you don’t know what melatonin is, it can be described as the hormone that helps us sleep. Thus, routinely consuming this fruit before bed may help you doze off more quickly and sleep for longer.
Therefore, it might be time to ditch your sleeping pills and go for the healthier and tastier option, which is pineapples. It’s a good idea to give in to your nighttime pineapple cravings since doing so can help you sleep faster and longer.
However, if you have health conditions like diabetes, we recommend asking your doctor if it is okay for you to consume the fruit at night.
You Might Be Sick
Do you crave pineapples when you have flu or any other sickness? This could again be a way for your body to tell you that it needs the enzymes and nutrients from the food to recover.
Romain, an anti-inflammatory enzyme found in pineapples, strengthens our immune systems and aids in the prevention of flu or cold. Pineapples also offer vitamin C and other nutrients that enhance the immune system.
Hence, if you are craving pineapples while you are sick, consuming them may be a great idea as they might help you recover quicker.
Remember that pineapples don’t replace medication. Therefore, taking the proper medications and eating healthy foods like pineapples are essential for your recovery.
Am I Addicted To Pineapples?
Developing an addiction to pineapples is rare, but it is possible if you are not mindful of the number of pineapples you consume daily and if you consume more than the recommended amount.
You might have a pineapple addiction if the fruit starts replacing meals and you start consuming large amounts of it daily. The best way to prevent a pineapple addiction is to consume the fruit in moderation while eating other healthy foods essential for our health.
We recommend seeking advice from a health care professional if you think you might have a pineapple addiction.
Health Benefits of Pineapples
Here are a few ways pineapples may benefit your overall health:
- Decrease the likelihood of developing cancer: According to a study, pineapples are rich in Bromelain, which helps reduce inflammation and oxidative stress and decreases the likelihood of developing cancer (1).
- Reduce arthritis inflammation: According to a recent study on the anti-inflammatory properties of Bromelain, researchers found that consuming bromelain supplements or foods containing the enzyme can help reduce the inflammation caused by arthritis and other diseases (2).
- Immunity booster: Pineapples are a rich source of nutrients like Vitamin C, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, and Folate that help boost our immunity. According to 9-day-long research, 98 healthy school-going kids were allocated randomly to consume either no pineapple, approximately 1 cup, or approximately 2 cups of pineapple each day (3).
- Both viral and bacterial illnesses were much less common in the kids who consumed pineapple. Additionally, compared to the other groups, the kids who consumed the most of this fruit had nearly four times as many disease-fighting white blood cells.
- May help with digestion: According to a study, Bromelain found in pineapples also acts as a digestive enzyme (4). Pineapples with meals may make it easier to digest heavy foods like meat. Hence, pineapples are served as a sideline with beef and other dishes in many countries like Brazil.
- May help recovery after surgery: Bromelain found in pineapples is said to help reduce inflammation, scarring, bruising, swelling, and pain. Therefore, many doctors recommend consuming pineapples after surgeries to help boost recovery. If you have had any recent dental or skin procedures, consuming pineapples may help you recover quickly.
Takeaway
Now that we have answered your concern about why am I craving pineapple, you can quickly assess and come down to a reason behind your pineapple cravings.
Our bodies give us signals when something is wrong, and it is our job to debunk those signals; hence if you think that your pineapple cravings may be linked with vitamin or mineral deficiencies, it may be a great time to consult a healthcare professional.
Additionally, consuming pineapples offers many benefits, like boosting immunity and helping digestion. So, replacing any unhealthy snacking habits with pineapples can be beneficial. However, remember that every food, including pineapples, should be consumed in moderation.
FAQs
1. How can I add pineapples to my diet?
There are many ways of adding pineapples to your diet, e.g., make pineapple smoothies for breakfast, pineapple salads for snacking, or pineapple frozen yogurt as dessert. Your choices are endless, and it is just a matter of getting creative with the fruit to make delicious dishes.
2. Are there any risks of consuming pineapples?
There are not many risks associated with pineapple consumption. However, we recommend not consuming pineapples if you are allergic to them. Moreover, eat ripe pineapples to avoid stomach aches, diarrhea, or nausea, and patients with diabetes should consume the fruit in moderation.
In addition, Bromelain has known to have an impact on blood clotting (5). So, individuals on blood thinners should limit their pineapple consumption.
3. Will pineapples make my skin better?
Individuals struggling with dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, and eczema may benefit from pineapple consumption as the anti-inflammatory qualities of the bromelain enzyme makes pineapples a great source of antioxidants that help improve not just you’re the look and texture of your skin but also helps boost the overall health.
4. Why am I craving pineapple after a workout?
You may crave pineapples after working out, as our bodies may become dehydrated after a good workout. Craving pineapples is a way for your body to tell you to provide it with essential nutrients for it to start recovering from the exercise.
5. Do pineapples help with weight loss?
Pineapples may not have much effect on metabolism. However, you can replace unhealthy snacks like cookies, chips, and sweets with pineapples to help lose weight.
6. Can I eat pineapples daily?
Consuming a moderate amount of pineapples daily can help your body fight off the chance of developing diseases by boosting the immune system. Pineapples also help enhance your overall beauty by nourishing the skin, hair, teeth, and nails and keeping your body in the best condition.
Leave Feedback: Was this article helpful?