Ananas comosus, or to give it its English name the pineapple, came to attention in 1493 with the second voyage of Columbus - where it picked up its English name because of its similarity to a pine cone. It was described as being 'in the shape of a pine cone, twice as big, which fruit is excellent and it can be cut with a knife, like a turnip and it seems to be wholesome'.
Wholesome the pineapple certainly is; 155g of pineapple will give you 20g of carbohydrates and around 74 calories, with 86% of it being water; it's a low calorie treat that also provides fibre that is often so absent from an athlete's diet. As you would expect the pineapple packs a healthy vitamin C content with over 16mg per 100g of pineapple, but it also comes with hearty amounts of vitamin B6, thiamin and copper. The nutritional value of the pineapple continues with its high potassium content, an electrolyte often depleted in hard training athletes. You will also find magnesium, a mineral essential for the proper absorption of potassium, as well as around 300 other biochemical reactions in the body from normal muscle and nerve function to protein synthesis and bone integrity.
In addition to this healthy vitamin and mineral profile, pineapple also contains bromelain. Bromelain is actually a mixture of protein digesting enzymes which have been noted to have numerous beneficial effects. Bromelain is an obvious and for many an effective digestive aid, however it has had its widest application as a powerful anti-inflammatory. Bromelain is subject to numerous studies and it has been linked to beneficial outcomes in numerous conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, the pain of osteoarthritis and some connective tissue disorders. In test tubes bromelain fights some viruses and bacteria suggesting a role in fighting infection too.
Finally a note of caution, bromelain does cause the improved uptake of medications (suggesting active roles in health promotion are not placebo) resulting in higher concentrations in the blood - and if you are under medical supervision or on regular medication check before having a hearty helping.