By Ella Kang
Oftentimes, people find it painful to eat a whole lot of pineapple at once. The tongue, lips, and the roof of the mouth and experience a burning sensation. In fact, those parts can even bleed! You then might think you are allergic to pineapple, or that it’s the acid of pineapple that’s tearing up your mouth. However, while pineapples do include some citric acid, it is not the main cause of the irritation.
Before going into pineapples, we must look at enzymes first. Enzymes are a substance made of proteins folded into complicated shapes and in human bodies; they are everywhere. Enzymes also speed up and carry out all the essential chemical reactions that keep us alive. Now, pineapples hurt your mouth because of its enzyme known as “bromelain”. Bromelain can be found in all parts of the pineapple, but the stem is the part where the most usable quantities of extractable bromelain are present. Bromelain is a combination of two protein-digestion enzymes called proteases, and they are able to break down amino acids. When you eat pineapple, bromelain starts breaking down the protective mucus that covers your tongue and the roof of your mouth, causing that burning feeling. Luckily, your tongue regenerates those proteins and amino acids, so the pain does not last for so long. Moreover, the strong acid in your stomach is able to break down the bromelain, which helps to reduce the irritation through your digestive system. But you can still enjoy pineapples without the uncomfortable feelings. Just heat, roast, grill, or bake pineapples. The bromelain will be eliminated and leave even more sugary fruit!
When manufactured, bromelain is a white powder and is soluble in water. Although there has been no large-scale human research to test its effectiveness, bromelain is often considered to be a medical treatment in several parts of the world. Its medical qualities are also socially recognized in Southeast Asia, China, and South America. Bromelain supplements in the form of powder, tablets, or capsules improve health conditions, especially sinusitis, pain relief, chronic inflammation, asthma, cancer, wound healing, and allergies. Commonly associated side effects include stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, increased heart rate, and menstrual problems. In extreme cases, bromelain might trigger allergic reactions and asthma symptoms like shortness of breath, hives, and itchy skin. You should immediately seek help from medical professionals if these side effects continue, and talk about other possible treatments with them.
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