Beyond their plump golden interior, the stem4 and peel (and sometimes leaves) of pineapple plants are also praised for their anti-inflammatory5 and immune-supporting6 abilities. That’s because they contain bromelain, a type of digestive enzyme derived from pineapple juice, peel, and stem. Among its multiple uses, bromelain’s5 therapeutic benefits expand from treating osteoarthritis7 and cardiovascular disease8 to reducing oxidative stress and inflammation9. We can all agree that food is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal when it comes to combating inflammation. Yet, how we produce, process, consume, and discard our food is also an imperative agent of our individual, social, and environmental transformation. If you need some extra-convincing incentives for reusing your pineapple peels, let’s take a quick look at the intersection between pineapple biowaste and our planet. Back to pineapple: On a macro level, waste products from the fruit’s apparently inedible bits (hello, peels), can serve as a valuable ingredient for the food industry and beyond. There are a number of planet-friendly pineapple peel applications, such as using fermented pineapple peels10 as protein sources and making sustainable, leather-like textiles or a source of energy production. Though, on a micro-level (as in when it comes to your home practice), rest assured that composting isn’t the only viable alternative for repurposing your pineapple peels. You can serve this peel-infused agua hot or cold and sweetened to taste. Also, this pineapple peel agua makes for an excellent water-based flavoring substitute worth keeping around your kitchen. Because inflammation and stress are at the heart of most modern-day diseases, the ritual of brewing and drinking tea might be a good option to help us slow down. One study found that participants who drank black tea four times a day for six days a week had lower cortisol levels11 (stress hormones) than those who drank a placebo. Add a pineapple peel to your ritual, and you have found yourself a delightful, anti-inflammatory treat. Here’s a great way to make a quick pickle at home. You can use both the pineapple fruit and peel to add more flavor. Just make sure to clean the skin (preferably organic) before adding them to a pickling jar.
