What is boil pineapple skin good for?
Pineapples are a delicious and nutritious fruit that have been enjoyed for centuries. While the sweet, golden pineapple flesh gets most of the attention, the spiky pineapple skin and core are also edible and contain their own unique health benefits.
Boiling pineapple peels and cores can help extract extra nutrients and compounds from these often discarded parts. The resulting pineapple tea or broth can provide antioxidants, enzymes, and other advantageous substances.
Read on to learn more about why you may want to boil pineapple skins and how to utilize this simple preparation method.
Nutrients in Pineapple Peels
Pineapple peels contain a diverse array of vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds. While peels are not as densely nutritious as the juicy flesh, they still contribute valuable substances when consumed.
Some of the main nutrients found in pineapple skins include:
- Vitamin C – Pineapples are loaded with immune-boosting vitamin C, with ample amounts found throughout the fruit.
- Vitamin B1 – Also known as thiamin, vitamin B1 supports energy production and nerve health.
- Vitamin B6 – This B vitamin is involved in over 140 enzyme reactions in the body and supports red blood cell production.
- Copper – A trace mineral that helps maintain healthy bones, nerves, and immune function.
- Dietary fiber – The tough pineapple peel contains fiber that promotes healthy digestion.
- Manganese – An essential mineral that aids bone formation and metabolism.
In addition, pineapple skins provide an array of polyphenols, flavonoids, and other antioxidant compounds that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.
Benefits of Boiling Pineapple Peels
While pineapple skins can be consumed raw, cooking them allows you to extract more of their nutrients and flavors. Boiling peels in water helps break down their tough, fibrous texture so they are easier to digest.
Here are some of the main advantages of boiling pineapple skins:
- Increases nutrient bioavailability – Boiling helps release nutrients like vitamin C and manganese for better absorption by the body.
- Enhances flavor – Cooking tones down the tangy tartness of the peel and produces a sweeter, more mellow flavor.
- Extracts beneficial compounds – Boiling peels in water can help pull out antioxidants like polyphenols into a concentrated, beneficial tea.
- softens texture – The fibrous peel becomes soft and chewy when boiled, making it easier to eat.
- Kills microbes – Boiling can help destroy any bacteria, yeasts or molds that may be present on the surface of the peel.
Overall, boiling is an easy way to transform the normally tough peels into a nutritional and flavorful ingredient you can actually enjoy eating or drinking.
How to Boil Pineapple Peels
Preparing boiled pineapple peel tea or broth just takes a few simple steps:
- Wash pineapple thoroughly and remove peel/skin. Cut into smaller pieces if desired.
- Add the peel pieces to a pot and cover with water. Use around 3 cups of water per one large pineapple peel.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Strain out the boiled peels, reserving the remaining liquid broth or “tea”.
- The peeled pineapple pieces can be eaten as is, added to other recipes, or blended into smoothies. Drink the pineapple tea either hot or chilled.
For best flavor, consider adding complementary ingredients to the boiling water like cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger, honey, or lemon slices. Simmering the peels for a longer time period will continue to extract more nutrients.
You can also repeat the boiling process a second time using the same peel pieces to create a more concentrated, antioxidant-rich tea.
Potential Uses for Boiled Pineapple Peels
There are many potential ways to use boiled pineapple peels and the resulting tea/broth:
- Drink as hot tea or chilled pineapple water
- Use as the base for soups, sauces, oatmeal or smoothies
- Blend into juices or health tonics
- Sweeten with honey and drink to soothe a sore throat
- Combine with lime juice and mint for a refreshing immune-boosting drink
- Pour over ice cubes for a hydrating sports drink
- Simmer rice or quinoa in the pineapple broth for added flavor
- Marinate and cook meat or tofu in the tea
- Use to make jellies, sorbets, or popsicles
The softened pineapple peels can also be utilized in creative ways like:
- Chop and add to yogurt, oatmeal or cottage cheese
- Purée into a jam or chutney
- Blend into smoothies, juice or protein shakes
- Mix into muffin, bread or cake batters
- Slice and use as a pizza topping
- Candy by coating in sugar or chocolate
Get creative with this nutritious pineapple “waste” and discover delicious new ways to eat and drink every bit of this tropical fruit!
Health Benefits of Consuming Pineapple Peels
Incorporating boiled pineapple peels into your diet can provide the following health benefits:
- Boosts immunity – The vitamin C, antioxidants and nutrients in the peels support immune defense and cell protection against disease and infection.
- Aids digestion – The fiber content helps promote regularity, gut health and healthy elimination.
- Anti-inflammatory – Compounds like bromelain reduce inflammation which is at the root of many chronic diseases.
- Supports wound healing – Antioxidants and vitamins speed up recovery from injuries, burns and illnesses.
- Strengthens bones – The manganese, copper and other minerals in peels promote bone density and strength.
- Benefits skin health – Antioxidants can help protect against skin damage and slow signs of aging.
Pineapple peels may also have potential benefits for conditions like arthritis, sore throat, nausea, indigestion, and morning sickness according to some preliminary research.
Nutrition Information
Here is an overview of the nutrition found in a 1 cup serving of boiled pineapple peels (140g):
Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
---|---|---|
Calories | 83 | 4% |
Carbohydrates | 21g | 7% |
Fiber | 5g | 18% |
Vitamin C | 18mg | 20% |
Manganese | 1.4mg | 61% |
Copper | 0.2mg | 10% |
Pineapple peels provide a substantial amount of manganese and copper along with high fiber and vitamin C. The peel tea would be lower in calories but still contain beneficial antioxidants and active enzymes like bromelain.
Potential Precautions
Consuming pineapple peels is generally safe, but there are a few precautions to keep in mind:
- May cause mouth irritation or stomach upset in some – Try a small amount first to check tolerance.
- High fiber content could cause gas or bloating – Introduce gradually and drink plenty of water.
- Contains natural acids that can erode tooth enamel – Don’t swish boiled peels in mouth and rinse afterwards.
- Not recommended in large amounts during pregnancy – Talk to your doctor about safety.
- May interact with certain medications – Speak with your doctor, especially if taking blood thinners.
To prevent any choking hazard, be sure to cut pineapple peels into small pieces and cook thoroughly before eating. Introduce boiled peels slowly and discontinue use if any negative reaction occurs.
Conclusion
Don’t throw away nutrient-packed pineapple skins and cores! Boiling these discarded parts can provide a simple and effective way to extract extra nutrition and flavor.
Simmering the tough peels softens their texture while also releasing beneficial compounds and antioxidants. The resulting pineapple peel tea, broth or boiled pieces offer healthy nutrients that support immunity, digestion, bones and more.
Consider incorporating boiled pineapple skins into drinks, recipes and meals as an easy way to reduce waste and maximize this fruit’s natural health benefits.