Got an achy back? A bum knee? Consider soothing yourself with this poolside treat: a mai tai.

Okay, you can probably skip the rum. The real joint-soothing power in this pick-me-up comes from the pineapple.

Any Way You Slice It
That’s right. Pineapple --
be it part of an icy drink, a fruit salad, or a barbecue kabob -- contains an anti-inflammatory enzyme called bromelain. New research shows that bromelain soothes your cells by reducing the migration of white blood cells to sites of inflammation -- like sunburned skin, injured muscles, and arthritic joints. Know how to pick a ripe pineapple? Watch this video for tips on picking
-- and preparing -- a fresh one.

Getting It Straight
If you’re not a pineapple fan, you can get bromelain straight from a supplement. It might even be the preferred method, since you don’t get tons of bromelain from fresh pineapple. YOU Docs Mehmet Oz, MD, and Michael Roizen, MD, recommend about 100 milligrams of bromelain a day for sore joints. Ask your doctor if this dose is safe for you. Here are six other nutrients that joints dig.

Recipe Corner
Moist, chewy, and oh so good. Here’s an upside-down pineapple breakfast treat you’ll flip for.