TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Tongue tingling when eating pineapple, the cheeks are burning, and there is an urge to scratch the inside of the mouth. The condition is caused by an enzyme called bromelain, according to a 2019 article in the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Bromelain is a protease or a type of enzyme that breaks down protein into amino acids and this is why pineapple is also an excellent meat tenderizer.
“Currently, there isn’t much evidence about the deliciousness of bromelain or the way the enzyme tastes in the mouth. But it’s possible that after eating a few slices of pineapple you’ll start to feel the bromelain break down some of the protein and then form a protective layer of mucosa in the mouth,” says a pharmacologist at the University of Turin. , Italy, Alessandro Colletti, as quoted from Livescience.
Is it possible to eat too much pineapple dangerous? According to Colleti, this is still in doubt. He noted bromelain is harmless to humans.
“When you eat pineapple, bromelain concentrations are around 500 micrograms per milliliter. So, the concentration is not too high. It’s even safe at much higher concentrations.”
For example, bromelain oral gel, which has a concentration 200-400 times greater than fresh pineapple, can be applied directly to the mouth because its anti-inflammatory properties can compensate for canker sores caused by chemotherapy. In addition, the mouth quickly begins to replace any of the cells damaged by bromelain to prevent permanent damage or alteration of the pineapple’s proteases, according to reports. Bon Appetiteit.
Other tropical fruits, such as papayas, have similar proteases but do not leave a tart taste in the mouth. The acidic nature of the pineapple may be one of the reasons for its strange effect, Paul Takhistov, a professor of food engineering at the University of New Jersey, told the BBC. Self.
According to Healthline, pineapples usually have a pH of 3 and 4 (score 7 is neutral). Takhistov hypothesized that bromelain dissolves some of the proteins in the mouth, which makes the mouth more sensitive to irritation by the acidity of pineapples. Colletti added bromelain alone can have a sour taste, which might add to the experience asam.
Read also: Benefits of Consuming Pineapple Fruit: Source of Antioxidants, Vitamin C, and…
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