6 Creative Pineapple Peels Uses + Health Benefits

Are you tossing away your pineapple peels—the tough, inedible skin that covers this succulent, sweet tropical fruit? Well, there are actually some health-packed (and planet-friendly) reasons you might consider keeping and reusing the peels next time.

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.

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.

We've learned about the refreshing, probiotic-rich benefits of pineapple tepache tonic and the bowl-of-sunshine quality of this vegan summer corn soup. Let's now dive into some fresh ways to use pineapple peels to make both your body and planet smile:

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.

As an enzyme powerhouse, bromelain's topical application on the skin is thought to help alleviate acne12 by sweeping away dead skin cells and improving skin's complexion overall. Although bromelain-instilled products aren't new to the clean-beauty realm, you can use the same pineapple peel agua recipe above as a gentle toner rich in vitamin C, should you prefer to go the DIY route. 

If you're in the mood for adding a tropical lift to your next meal, why not try eating out of a fresh pineapple bowl? Simply combine the delicious juice that pools at the bottom of the fruit with a healthy and nutritious filling, and enjoy! (You can even fill the pineapple bowl with your favorite smoothie recipe, add a straw, and drink up.)

When it comes to making any drink healthy (and a little more tangy), pineapple peel can be a great addition. To use pineapple peel agua as your next juice base, boil the skins first and cool them down completely (see directions above). Next, strain the water, put it in a blender, and add any additional juice ingredients of your choice.

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.