What causes your tongue to itch when you eat pineapple? Surely you will remember these holidays since in many countries it is a typical fruit that is consumed by celebrities at the end of the year. Discover the secret of this tropical fruit.
Whether served on its own, in fruit salads or in sweet or savory recipes, pineapple offers a very interesting contrast with its refreshing sweet and sour taste that you can love or hate. But if you’ve ever tried it, you know one thing: over time, your tongue itches, and sometimes very badly.
The secret to the itchy tongue: digestion
The itchy feeling that many people experience when eating raw pineapple is due to the fact that its pulp contains an enzyme called protease, which is able to digest and break down the proteins that the pineapple plant uses as a defense method against parasites and pathogens uses food. attack you.
In this case, the protease is called bromelain and the name is derived from the botanical term for the pineapple family, Bromeliaceae. This enzyme has similar properties to papain from papaya.
When pineapple is consumed, especially in large quantities, bromelain acts on proteins in the soft tissues of the mouth, including the tongue, causing a temporary itching or burning sensation.
The itching is usually worse when you start eating pineapple because the mucous layer that protects the tongue breaks down when you eat the fruit. Additionally, itching may be more severe in people with an irritated or injured tongue.
It is literally a pineapple trying to digest the mouth of the one who eats it: it is the result of the proteolytic action of bromelain on the surface proteins of the oral mucosa. This effect is temporary, generally harmless, and usually disappears within a few minutes, although some people are more sensitive than others.
There are people who, after experiencing this unpleasant sensation in the mouth, associate this effect with an allergy to pineapple. It is important not to confuse the symptoms when the tongue itches, as the proteolytic effects of bromelain can be irritating but do not cause allergic reactions.
It’s true that bromelain can cause allergies in some people. The main symptoms may include contact hives, tongue swelling, atopic dermatitis, asthma and rhinitis. This allergic reaction may require medical attention and, depending on the severity, immediate attention.
In addition to bromelain, pineapple also contains oxalic acid, which can contribute to itching. Oxalic acid is an acid that is found in many plants and can cause irritation to the skin and mucous membranes.
Properties of pineapple
Also known as pineapple (Pineapple comosus), this fruit is rich in vitamins C and D and is also a good source of minerals such as iodine, potassium and magnesium as well as fiber and water.
The enzyme it contains is considered digestive because it helps digest food proteins and convert them into amino acids, improving the digestive process and facilitating the absorption of nutrients.
However, consumption should be moderate. Dangerous radical diets or detoxes based on the diuretic effect and suggesting the “detoxifying” or “cleansing” effect of this fruit are, as we know, misleading and carry many potential risks.
Reduce the annoying feeling when your tongue itches
The inside of the ripe pineapple is the part that contains the most bromelain and many of us do not want to waste it when cutting fruit because if it is of good quality and cut into thin slices, it is neither fibrous nor too hard. To avoid the itchy feeling on the tongue, you can avoid eating the middle part of the tongue.
- Eat pineapple in the form of juice or smoothie as bromelain is destroyed by heat.
- Before eating, soak the pineapple in cold water for a few minutes.
- Cook the fruit in the oven as the heat destroys the enzyme responsible for the sting.
- Eat pineapple with other foods such as yogurt or cheese as this can help neutralize bromelain.
References:
- Allergome – The platform for allergen knowledge. 2022. Allergenic molecule Ana c 2 (No. 694). Allergoma.
- Baur, X. et al. 1979. Allergic reactions, including asthma, to the pineapple protease bromelain following occupational exposure. Clinical and experimental allergy, 9. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1979.tb02507.x
- Nanda, RF et al. 2020. A Review: Application of Bromelain Enzymes in Pet Food Products. Andalasian International Journal of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (AIJANS), 1(01), 33-44. DOI: 10.25077/aijans.v1.i01.33-44.2020
- Walker, S. et al. 2003. Psychophysical properties of mechanical oral stimulation. Journal of Sensory Studies, 18, 325-345. DOI: 10.1111/J.1745-459X.2003.TB00392.X
With information from: