Even people who don’t like fruits at all can tolerate pineapples because they’re so darned delicious. Not to mention they work wonders for your immune system as well. However, you may have noticed that pineapples, no matter how tasty they are, leave a strange aftertaste in your mouth.
The strange scratchy feeling that you’re left with after having the fruit has a very interesting reason behind that you probably didn’t know.
To put it in layman terms, while you eat pineapple, the pineapple eats a little bit of your tongue, cheeks, and lips in return and that’s the reason you’re left with a scratchy feeling in your mouth.
The fruit actually contains a mixture of enzymes called bromelain that digests proteins.
As the bromelain comes in contact with the sensitive parts of the skin such as the areas in and around the mouth, it breaks down the proteins.
If that doesn’t freak you out, know that bromelain is so powerful that it’s commercially used for tenderizing meat. However, they’re not harmful to humans, usually!
The proteins and amino acids that are broken down by bromelain are generally rebuilt by the human tongue and that is why the sore feeling in the tongue doesn’t last long.
The enzyme is present all over the pineapple plant but it’s most concentrated in the stem. The fibrous and chewy hard area at the middle of the fruit is also one of the most concentrated with bromelain.
Hope that didn’t pineapples for you forever!
News Source: Interesting Facts