A drink made by boiling ripe pineapple peel with cloves is a traditional home remedy in some cultures. It can be a flavorful herbal drink, but many of the health claims shared online (such as curing infections, causing weight loss, or treating chronic diseases) are not supported by strong scientific evidence.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Peel from 1 ripe pineapple (wash thoroughly before peeling)
- 1 to 1.5 liters (4–6 cups) of water
- 5–10 whole cloves
- Optional:
- A small piece of fresh ginger
- 1 cinnamon stick
- A little honey or lemon after it has cooled slightly
Instructions
- Wash the pineapple well under running water and scrub the outside to remove dirt and residues.
- Peel the pineapple and save only the clean peel.
- Put the peel and cloves into a pot with the water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20–30 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let it steep for another 10 minutes.
- Strain the liquid.
- Drink it warm or chilled.
If you plan to drink it three times a day, you can divide the batch into three servings and refrigerate the remainder for up to 2 days.
Potential Benefits
Some ingredients in this drink contain compounds that may have health benefits:
Pineapple peel
- Contains small amounts of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants that may help protect cells from oxidative stress.
- Contains bromelain, an enzyme found mainly in the stem and fruit (the peel may contain some), which may support digestion of protein and may have mild anti-inflammatory properties.
- May contribute to hydration if used as a low-sugar beverage.
Cloves
- Rich in antioxidants.
- Contain eugenol, a natural compound with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory studies.
- May help freshen breath and can support digestion for some people.
What It May Help With
There is limited evidence that it may:
- Support hydration.
- Provide antioxidants.
- Help some people with mild indigestion after meals.
- Be a flavorful alternative to sugary drinks.
Claims That Are Not Well Proven
There is no strong scientific evidence that this drink:
- Burns belly fat.
- Treats diabetes.
- Lowers high blood pressure by itself.
- Cures infections.
- Detoxifies the body.
- Prevents or cures cancer.
- Treats infertility.
Possible Side Effects
- Pineapple is acidic and may worsen heartburn in some people.
- Cloves in large amounts may irritate the stomach.
- People with allergies to pineapple or cloves should avoid it.
- Bromelain and cloves may increase the risk of bleeding, so use caution if you take blood-thinning medications or are preparing for surgery.
- If you have diabetes, avoid adding honey or sugar unless it fits within your dietary plan.
Is Drinking It 3 Times a Day Safe?
For most healthy adults, 1–3 cups per day is generally reasonable if consumed as a beverage and not in excessive amounts. Because cloves contain potent compounds, it’s best not to use very large quantities of cloves or drink highly concentrated preparations every day for long periods.
If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, are breastfeeding, or take prescription medications, it’s a good idea to check with a healthcare professional before making it a regular habit.
Overall, this pineapple peel and clove drink can be a pleasant, antioxidant-rich beverage, but it should be viewed as a complement to a balanced diet rather than a treatment for disease.