Originally published on The Running Bug
Spiky on the outside and sweet on the inside with a funky green crown, pineapples are the coolest fruit in town. But they don’t just look fabulous, pineapples come with a whole host of health benefits that apply directly to runners.
Strong bones
The funky fruit contains 75 per cent of our daily-recommended dose of manganese, the essential mineral for developing strong bones and connective tissue. A recent study suggests that manganese also prevents osteoporosis in post-menopausal women, so get snacking!
Guilt-free
Fat-free, cholesterol-free and low in sodium, they may taste as sweet as sunshine but one serving of pineapple chunks contains only 82 calories, making them the perfect guilt-free treat for when you’re craving a sugar fix.
Immunity boost
Forget the humble orange, pineapple contains half your daily-recommended dose of vitamin C, essential for heart disease and joint pain prevention, not to mention warding off the dreaded sniffles so you can keep on running.
Gut health
Pineapples are rich in fibre, which is essential for intestinal health and will keep your tummy in tip top shape on race day.
Eyes on the road
Another bonus for runners, pineapples can help reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a disease that affects the eyes as people age, enabling you to keep running into your golden years.
Anti-inflammation
Our favourite spiky fruit also contains bromelain, which studies have shown can help reduce inflammation, making it the ideal snacking fruit for weary runners recovering from a big race.
