Pineapple Enzyme Banana Smoothie. Happier Sinuses.

A weekend of spring breezes, cherry blossoms and air-born allergens left me feeling a little congested this Monday morning. So I blended up an amazingly effective Enzyme smoothie containing banana, papaya, fresh pineapple and some sprinkled in cayenne. My recipe is ahead…

Enzymes: Not Just for Digestion. The National Institute of Health sites that fruit enzymes like bromelain are proven to be an effective way to assist in treating Sinusitis (sinus inflammation) and inflammation pain. Papain and Bromelain are proteolytic enzymes because they break up biological products like thick mucus. Fruit enzymes that are… usually suggested to aid in digestion (like papain in papaya and bromelain in pineapple) are actually a great allergy/congestion/mucus-clearing aid. It makes sense. And there is a long list of medical references which back the effectiveness of fruit enzymes for Sinusitis.

Here is a few of the references:

*Felton G.E. Does kinin released by pineapple stem of bromelain stimulate production of prostagalandin like compounds? Hawaii Journal of Medicine 36(2):39 1977 Bromelain use reduces coughs and bronchitis and relieves sinus symptoms.
*Gaby AR. The story of bromelain. Nutr Healing May 1995:3,4,11. Use for sinus pain, blocked bronchial passages, asthma and allergy.
*Grossan M. Enhancing the Mucociliary System. Advance for Respiratory Care Practitioners. April 17, 1995. 8:12-13 For chest congestion due to thick mucus, the proteolytic enzyme can aid significantly.

…and those are just a few of the sited studies. NIH has a full rundown on the effectiveness of bromelain.

I loved this smoothie. Really kick started my congestion-clear-out by getting some enzymes back in my system. Pineapple and bananais a classic and delicious combination. If you don’t have the add-in papaya, kiwi is another high-enzyme fruit that works well in this smoothie.

And if you missed it, here are my 20 BEST Smoothie Tips, so you can blend like a PRO.

Here is my recipe:

Super Enzyme Banana Pineapple Smoothie
two servings

1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1 cup fresh chopped pineapple
1 frozen banana (if raw, use more ice)
1/2 cup fresh papaya or kiwi
1.5 cups coconut water ice (tap can be used too)
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp agave syrup
1 tsp cayenne
optional: fresh grated ginger

To Make:
Pour OJ and lemon juice into blender. Add in frozen banana chunks. Add in 3/4 of total ice. Add in half the total amount of fresh fruit you will be adding.
Blend on high until blender begins to run smoothly.
Add in the agave, remaining fruit, remaining ice and cayenne. (and ginger if using it)
Blend on low until smoothie is done.

Garnish with fresh fruit and a sprinkle of cayenne.

YUM!

…If using ALL fresh fruit simply use more ice.
…fresh fruit is recommended for this smoothie. Frozen pineapple will not have the same super enzyme action as fresh.

NIH sites that: “Allergies
There are multiple reports of allergic and asthmatic reactions to bromelain products, including throat swelling and difficulty breathing. Allergic reactions to bromelain may occur in individuals allergic to pineapples or other members of the Bromeliaceae family, and in people who are sensitive/allergic to honeybee venom, latex, birch pollen, carrot, celery, fennel, cypress pollen, grass pollen, papain, rye flour, or wheat flour.

Side Effects and Warnings of bromelain
Few serious side effects have been reported with the use of bromelain. The most common side effects reported are stomach upset and diarrhea.”