h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: The Versatility of the Pineapple - A9708311
Author: Galaxy Babe - U128652

Bet you can't read this without salivating

Enjoy!

Submitted 29 Mar

Perhaps you should mention that pineapples were considered an incredible delicacy when they were first imported to Europe. In the 18th century, one could cost the equivalent of £5000.

EMR

Pineapples grow nicely in Queensland too.

Incidentally, I've been warned off pineapple because it can provoke attacks of gout.

There's two completely unrelated facts for you. Have fun!

Really?
Could you give me any links to info about that?
I better have a section about any health-impediments, for the sake of balance.

Now I don't know what to think... A quick Google on 'pineapple gout' (it looks wrong written like that) comes up with sites that say pineapple is *good* for gout. I'm all confused. I need a lie down, or a stiff drink, or something.

I'll do some investigating...

I think we need a health professional of one sort or another to come along and set me straight... Typical Internet, it's just confused the issue badly. Maybe my last GP (not my current one) was just a quack. (That's who told me to stay off pineapple.) Who knows?

at last a subject I know something about!

Bromelain has an anti inflammatory action and quercetin can inhibit the formation of crystals (uric acid) so they are often prescribed tgether by a naturopath. I have some sites for you to look at - but I am still looking for the actual study I read a year ago:

http://www.lo.redjupiter.com/gems/anndejong/gout.ppt
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsConditions/Goutcc.html
http://www.med.nyu.edu/patientcare/patients/library/article.html?ChunkIID=21705#ref5



W

So, my last GP *was* just an old quack after all!

Thanks Wilma.

I can't find an online text (I think I may have it buried in an email archive) but this is where it was:

Arthritis and Rheumatism: 2005, vol. 52, No. 6, 1843-7.

There is a description of the study on p.2 here:

http://www.cambridgenaturals.com/PDFDocs/b/BWWV71D7PQWC9GMX2MKNQ1GN484N8VGD.PDF

W

Fantastic stuff Did Carmen Miranda have a pineapple in her hat?

Yes, but I like this picture better

http://www.tinypineapple.com/postcards/images/pineapple_princess_1939_postcard.jpg

(I hope that's not my mother)

Thanks Wilma, I've added that info!

Jolly good

Was watching something on the gardening channel a couple of months back that talked about how serving pineapple was indeed the very pinnacle of social sophistication, and lead to many of the nation's great houses devloping their glasshouses specifically for the purpose of growing them and a head gardener that was able to grow them was highly sought after. I forget which great house they were specifically on about though, will try to wring it out of my brain...

It was Hampton Court, wasn't it, Kelli? They have a brilliant 'pineapple house'.

W

Meh! That would be the flippin' orangery that they grow pineapples in - not a pineapple house

"More generally, orangeries contained any plant requiring a milder climate than was naturally available in England. William had plants imported from across the globe. As new lands were discovered and conquered, botanical specimens were sent back to England and cultivated in hot-houses. Home-grown pineapples were especially prized."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/learning/william/gardens2.shtml

W

Thanks

Link added

My grandfather always drank pineapple juice when he had a sore throat. Don't know why and he's dead so I can't ask - however, I carry on the family tradition...

Also, I would like to see mention of pineapples as decorations in sea-faring towns. When on vacation in Newport, Rhode Island, the pineapple motif is very prominent.

Presumably because early sea captains, would place a pineapple on the their gateposts, when returning from their voyages, to let neighbours know they were home, and would be pleased to entertain them.

Don't know how true that little nugget is either. But there you are.

Also, I got in trouble in a junior high French language class chatting up a girl. The teacher was talking about fruits and veggies and she demanded that I tell the French for pineapple. I said 'pine-pomme' and got sent to the principal's office.

I never did learn the French word for pineapple but I did get a date with the girl in question....

Hi, GB!

This entry looks very interesting! I'll give it a more thorough read later, but one thing caught my eye here:

"When athletes injure their muscles they should eat fresh pineapple, because the enzyme bromelain, as well as other nutrients, aid the healing process by breaking down the affected tissue. The fruit should be consumed within an hour of the husk being removed, as after this time the enzyme becomes less effective."

I'm fairly certain that that particular effect is impossible: enzymes are never absorbed whole into the bloodstream, they have to be digested down into amino acids first, so you could never transport an enzyme to a muscle internally; rubbing pineapple on an open cut might get the enzyme to where it would work, but it sounds painful. I think you'd better drop that paragraph altogether.

Off to read the rest more thoroughly...

Azara

I would think the combination of vitamin C (good for tissue rebuilding) and bromelaine (anti-inflammatory effect) are what would help when taken internally. I'm just guessing - it sounds like Wilma would know though.

I just love this entry - you have done it up well.

My personal favourite is to add lots of ginger when making pineapple juice - it laces the froth and is superb. you either run fresh cut pineapple spears and fresh ginger root through a juicer (the best) or add extract to the blender if preparing as a smoothie - either way it'll make your knees wobbly and ... (thunk! - ouch - - need...some...pineapple...)