Choose fruit that should be free of soft spots, mold, bruises and darkened "eyes," all of which may indicate that the fruit is past its prime. A good, ripe pineapple has a dull, solid sound while immaturity and poor quality are indicated by a hollow thud.

It stops ripening as soon as it is picked; therefore, choose fruit with a fragrant sweet smell at the stem end.

Avoid those that smell musty, sour or fermented.

fruit is rich in B-complex group of vitamins like folates, thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and minerals like copper, manganese and potassium

·         Pineapples are a rich source of antioxidants. They fight against free radicals in the body, preventing cell damage. These antioxidants help protect you from diseases like atherosclerosis, heart diseases, arthritis, various cancers etc.

·         Pineapples are abundant in vitamin C and bromelain, which fight against microbial infections. Eating pineapples with the prescribed medicines can help cure cold and cough effectively and thwart off cold.

·         A cup of pineapple juice gives you roughly 73% of the required manganese for a day which helps in strengthening bones and connective tissues.

·         Eating pineapple benefits in strengthening your gums, keeping your teeth healthy and strong. And make gum healthy.

·         Beta-carotene present in pineapples empowers vision and should be consumed regularly for eye health and thus help in macular degenartion.

·         Pineapple fruit is very much known for its anti-inflammatory properties which prevent inflammation in arthritis patients and gives strength to the bones.

·         Pineapples are a great source of bromelain which help prevent sinusitis. Pineapples are also effective in curing sore throat, gout and swellings.

·         The abundance of antioxidants in pineapples helps fight against free radicals. This halts the process of cell damage, preventing several types of cancers.

·         Powerful antioxidants keep free radicals away and lower the cholesterol levels, preventing heart diseases. Include other heart healthy foods too for a healthy heart.

·         Higher amounts of potassium and lower amounts of sodium in pineapples help maintain normal blood pressure levels.

·         Pineapple is very effective acne both externally and internally as well.

·         Helps Your Skin Look Younger, fruit helps in collagen synthesis in body a boost, higher the collagen synthesis the firmer and flexible your skin will be. It is a natural exfoliating agent(eliminates the dead skin and accentuates the blood flow).

·         It softens and strengthens the Nails

·         Its eating  prevent the hair loss and for thicker hair (by applying externally pineapple extracts).

Ripe fruits perish quickly if left at room temperature and should be eaten rather early. Since they are chill sensitive and therefore, cannot be stored in the refrigerator for long periods. However, if not readily eaten; you may prepare the fruit and place the whole or cut sections wrapped inside a thin plastic cover in the refrigerator for 1-2 days for later use.

Pineapple can be cut and peeled in many ways. Usually, the crown and the base of the fruit are chopped off with a knife. Then, to peel the fruit, place its base side down and carefully slice off the skin, carving out any remaining "eyes" with the tip of your knife. Once the rind is removed, cut the fruit into your desirable sizes.

Serving tips:

·         Fresh ananas sections are a great addition to fruit salads and in toppings.

·         Fresh pineapple juice can be a refreshing intra-day drink.

·         It also used in the preparation of desserts, jams, and jellies.

·         The fruit is used in a variety of delicious pineapple recipes, mainly as a flavoring ingredient.

Pineapple fruit contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain that may cause excessive uterine bleeding if consumed in large quantities during pregnancy.