Ever eaten a fresh pineapple and had a burning or tingling feeling on your tongue? It’s an odd and disconcerting phenomenon that many of us have experienced, but what about this feeling? Though pineapple is delicious and full of nutrients, the tingling it produces comes from a special enzyme and the acidity of the fruit. Here’s why that happens.
What Is Bromelain?
The burning sensation you feel in your mouth when you eat pineapple is caused by an enzyme called bromelain. Bromelain is a combination of proteolytic enzymes, which means it aids in the breakdown of protein molecules. When you eat fresh pineapple, the bromelain begins to break down the proteins in your mouth, including the proteins in your sensitive tissues, such as the skin on your tongue and the roof of your mouth.
That's the protein breakdown that causes that burning or tingling sensation.
It works similarly to meat tenderisers — bromelain is widely used in meat marinades because it helps soften tough cuts of meat by breaking down protein fibers, which can cause that kind of sore feeling in the mouth when it gets on the soft tissue in your mouth.
The Acidicity of Pineapple
Also pineapple is acidic as well with a pH 3-4. This acid can irritate the lining of your mouth and amplify the feeling of discomfort. That burning sensation, particularly after you eat a lot of fresh pineapple, is caused by eating both the acid in the fruit and the enzyme.
Does the Burning Ever Go Away?
The burn is temporary, however, which is good news. And once the bromelain has done its work breaking down the proteins in your mouth and the acidic content is neutralised by saliva, any discomfort usually subsides within a few minutes. The more sensitive your mouth or the more pineapple you eat, the more intense the sensation can get.
Plus, cooking or canning pineapple also deactivates bromelain. That’s why canned or cooked pineapple doesn’t tend to produce the same burning sensation that fresh pineapple does.
What to Do to Avoid or Reduce the Feeling
If you want to enjoy fresh pineapple without the pain, here are a couple of tips:
Wash the Pineapple: After slicing the pineapple, give it a rinse in cold water to wash off some of the bromelain. This may help in reducing the burning sensation.
Eat in Small Amounts: Eating a little bit of pineapple at a time increases how intense the sensation feels.
Let the Pineapple Ripen All The Way: Since fully ripe pineapple has lower amounts of bromelain, it can be less irritating to your mouth.
Drink Water: When eating a pineapple, drink water, as this can also help neutralize the acidity and rinse away the bromelain before it can truly irritate it.
Hi, I’m Elizabeth A., a passionate writer with a knack for crafting engaging, thought-provoking content. I love exploring topics ranging from lifestyle and culture. I aim to inform, inspire, and connect with readers through every piece I create.