Apple vs Pineapple – Which is Healthier?

Our Verdict

When comparing apple to pineapple, we picked the pineapple.

Why?

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but pineapples are heavier and armored and spiky and generally much more intimidating!

More seriously, apples are great but we say pineapples have the better nutritional and phytochemical properties overall:

In terms of macros, actually apples win this first round, albeit marginally; the two fruits are equal on carbs, while apple has a little more fiber and pineapple has a (very) little more protein. This makes the fiber content the deciding factor, so apples do win this one, even if by just 1g/100g difference.

When it comes to vitamins, however, apples have more of vitamins E and K, while pineapple has more of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, C, and choline. The margins of difference are equally generous on both sides, so this is a clear and overwhelming win for pineapple (including 10x more vitamin C than apples, which are themselves considered a good source of vitamin C).

Looking at minerals, apples have slightly more phosphorus, and pineapple has a lot more calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, and zinc. Another easy win for pineapple.

In other considerations, pineapples are not only also higher in polyphenols, and also contain bromelain, a powerful anti-inflammatory group of enzymes that are unique to pineapple (you can read about it in the link below), so that’s another round in pineapples’ favor.

Adding up the sections makes for a clear overall win for pineapples, but by all means do enjoy either or both, as diversity is best!

Want to learn more?

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Bromelain vs Inflammation & Much More

Enjoy!