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Here's the reason why eating far too much pineapple can make your tongue bleed

News - Aug 8, 2023
Here's the reason why eating far too much pineapple can make your tongue bleed

Many people have wondered why their tongues bleed after eating pineapple. And here is the answer!

Pineapple is a famous tropical fruit that is renowned for its refreshing qualities and nutritional benefits, including high levels of vitamins C and B6, but it has a peculiar effect on some people – causing their mouths to bleed.

Image Credits: Internet
Image Credits: Internet

This phenomenon can be attributed to the presence of bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme that can break down proteins. When people eat pineapple, they often experience a tingling and bleeding sensation.

Bromelain is found in both the fruit and stem of the pineapple plant. It is capable of breaking down proteins, including those present in our mouths.

Image Credits: Internet
Image Credits: Internet

While this sensation might be slight for some individuals, others experience bleeding of the tongue, gums, and cheeks as a result.

Bromelain could potentially aid in the removal of dead and damaged skin from burns, applicable to both children and adults, as reported by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

Image Credits: reddit
Image Credits: reddit

This research direction suggests the potential use of 'bromelain-based enzymatic debridement' for the healing of full-thickness burns.

They wore: “Preliminary research has shown that bromelain helps to remove dead and damaged skin from burns in children and adults,”

 “Whether bromelain treatment is better than standard treatment for scarring over the long term still needs to be examined.”

Image Credits: Quora
Image Credits: Quora

The concept revolves around the potential enhancement of healing in cases of full-thickness burns, achieved through a process termed  “bromelain-based enzymatic debridement”.

This mechanism capitalizes on bromelain's content of cysteine proteinases, which can effectively break down proteins containing cysteine amino acids within their extended molecular structure. Given that mammalian cells are rich in cysteine, these enzymes have ample substrate within human tissue, enabling their action.

Image Credits: Internet
Image Credits: Internet

Not only can you cut the pineapple from its stem, which harbors a higher concentration of bromelain, but you can also choose canned pineapple over fresh; this can also help mitigate any potential discomfort.

For a completely risk-free experience with pineapple, cooking the fruit can effectively deactivate the enzymes responsible, ensuring you can indulge in this snack without any worries.

Image Credits: Internet
Image Credits: Internet

By cooking the fruit, you can neutralize the enzyme's effects, so canned pineapple can help you avoid any unexpected bleeding in your mouth.

However, when you're about to enjoy fresh pineapple, keep in mind that it might occasionally result in an uncomfortable and unattractive experience