The Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, supports farmers after the problem of low seasonal agricultural product prices. It recommends eating 6-8 pieces of pineapple per day. Pineapple is rich in beta-carotene, dietary fiber and vitamin C, which helps absorb iron, increases the immune system, fights free radicals and reduces the risk of cancer.
Dr. Amporn Benjapolpitak, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health and Ministry spokesperson reveal. That Thai pineapples are currently facing problems with low seasonal agricultural product prices, which have an impact on farmers. One way to help farmers who are affecte and to improve their own health is to encourage Thai people to eat more fruit.
Can pineapple really help with cancer?
Pineapple is a fruit rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and antioxidants. In 1 day you should eat a variety of fruits, 3-5 portions per day. Pineapple is nutritious, rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C and dietary fiber. It helps nourish eyesight, fights inflammation, increases the immune system and reduces the risk of cancer. In addition, vitamin C helps absorb iron. Choose to eat pineapple instead of snacks, desserts and sweet drinks for better health.
From the 5th National Health Survey in 2014, it was found that Thai people still do not eat enough fruits. It was found that only 30.5 percent of Thai people aged 15 and over eat enough fruits per day. Only 25.9 percent of Thai people aged 30-59 eat enough fruits and vegetables per day. The percentage of people aged 60 and over who eat enough fruits and vegetables will decrease by 29.0-30.6 percent. The percentage will decrease in people aged 60 and over who eat enough fruits and vegetables by 11 percent, even though they should eat more fruits because all ages need vitamins and minerals, especially the elderly who have more cell deterioration than other ages and need vitamins and minerals to prevent free radicals that are substances that destroy cells and cause cancer. They also need dietary fiber to help slow down the absorption of sugar and stimulate excretion, preventing constipation. Eating pineapple is good for the body, but what is special at this time is that it is also good for the heart because we are helping and encouraging our farmers.
The amount of pineapple you should eat
Dr. Naphaphan Wiriyautsahakul, Director of the Nutrition Division, said that 1 portion of pineapple has 6-8 bite-sized pieces. In 1 day, you can eat the right amount of 6-8 bite-sized pieces and eat other fruits to get 3-5 portions per day. 1 portion of fruit has about 60 kilocalories, depending on the sweetness of each type. For example, in 1 day, eat 1 banana, ½ guava, ½ mango, 6-8 bite-sized papaya, together with pineapple, to get 5 portions. Or you can eat 2 bananas, 1 guava, together with pineapple, to get 5 portions.
In eating a variety of fruits, it depends on the convenience of consumers to find them. In the case of elderly people, eating 1-3 portions of fruits per day is enough. Therefore, each meal should have a main dish rich in vegetables, followed by 1-2 portions of fruits in a variety. If choosing to eat pineapple to get nutritional value, should eat 6-8 pieces at a time after a meal instead of desserts made from flour and sugar, which will allow you to receive vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, antioxidants as needed. If you want to drink pineapple juice, should choose the kind that has been blended with pulp, no added flavors or tastes.
How to reduce the risk of getting cancer?
- Reduce the intake of foods high in fat because excessive fat accumulation in women may increase the risk of breast cancer. In men, excessive fat accumulation may increase the risk of colon and prostate cancer.
- Reduce your intake of fermented and grilled foods, which can increase your risk of esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, and colon cancer.
- Avoid eating moldy foods, as these foods contain aflatoxin, which is a cause of pancreatic cancer .
- Do not eat undercooked food such as fermented fish, koi pla, or others because it can cause parasitic diseases, liver fluke disease, and also increases the risk of bile duct cancer.
- Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages as it increases the risk of liver cancer. If you drink and smoke, you also increase the risk of oral, throat, larynx, and esophageal cancer.
- Reduce or avoid smoking, which can cause lung cancer and laryngeal cancer. Chewing tobacco increases the risk of oral and throat cancer.
- Avoid exposure to strong sunlight or staying in the sun for too long as this may increase the risk of skin cancer.