Fresh or cooked pineapple contains many trace elements and vitamins, its consumption has a positive effect on health. The fruit can be eaten raw, canned, used for preparing meat, confectionery, and juices. But sometimes after fresh pineapple, especially eaten in large quantities, the tongue and lips sting. Let's figure out why it stings in the mouth.
Why a healthy fruit becomes dangerous
Pineapple contains a large amount of fruit acids, which, when they get on the oral mucosa, can cause discomfort.
You can especially often encounter this problem if you eat fruits that have not reached the required level of ripeness. Pineapple contains a large amount of the enzyme bromelain, the action of which is aimed at dissolving proteins and accelerating blood flow, so if you eat a lot of fruit, there is a possibility of a burn on the oral mucosa.
The human body is made of protein, so pineapple and pineapple juice try to “digest” it. This is the main reason why pineapple stings the tongue, causing ulcers to form on the lips of those who overdo it with eating such an interesting fruit. This is where the expression “pineapple eats us when we eat it” comes from, because the fruit really eats away the mucous membrane, but this is not dangerous for the body.
Composition of pineapple
Pineapple is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows in all tropical countries of the world. The culture has many varieties. The chemical composition of pineapple includes various beneficial compounds, trace elements and vitamins. The fruit, which is consumed as a fruit, is considered a valuable food product and has the following properties:
- 86% consists of water.
- Contains many simple sugars, mainly sucrose.
- Includes organic acids, mainly citric and ascorbic. And this is a possible reason why your tongue stings after eating pineapple.
- Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, PP are present.
- Minerals are represented by potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine.
- The composition also contains bromelain, a complex of enzymes that break down proteins. This active substance gives the name to a whole family of plants - Bromeliads. Pineapple also belongs to this family of plants.
The large amount of water in the fruit makes it low-calorie and useful for diets. The natural sugars contained in the fruit are healthier than beet or cane sugar consumed daily. The presence of vitamin C makes the fruit useful for maintaining immunity. In addition, ascorbic acid is an antioxidant, and according to recent research by scientists, it slows down the development of cancer.
Other vitamins and microelements are useful both for the whole body and for the cardiovascular system in particular. And potassium salts help remove excess water from the body, which in turn helps to reduce weight.
Bromelain promotes the digestion and absorption of protein foods, has an anti-inflammatory effect, counteracts thrombosis and high blood clotting. Because of the bromelain, pineapple and natural pineapple juice are excellent ingredients for marinating meat. After such a marinade, even the toughest meat becomes soft.
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Due to these properties, pineapple is often used to remove calluses. And cosmetologists use the fruit to make masks for the face and décolleté. The effect of such masks is as follows:
- moisturize and tone;
- nourish the upper and middle layers of the skin with vitamins and nutrients;
- exfoliate the surface layer of the epithelium;
- stimulate the growth of new cells;
- relieve inflammation and swelling;
- help in the fight against acne;
- smooth out wrinkles and refresh the skin.
The fruit is also used in other cosmetics.
How to get rid of burning sensation
Victims of pineapple want to understand what to do if their tongue burns after eating it. To reduce this unpleasant feeling, you need to follow a few simple rules:
- rinse your mouth with water;
- use a small amount of butter;
- drink some milk.
The mucous membrane of the mouth recovers very quickly, so if the burning sensation cannot be eliminated, it will disappear on its own after a few hours.
How to prevent discomfort
You can prevent discomfort after consumption if you know exactly how to eat pineapple so that it doesn’t burn your tongue:
- Choose the right fruit . To avoid a burning sensation in the mouth, you need to pay great attention to the ripeness of the fruit. The color should be closer to brown; other shades will indicate the unripeness of the fruit. The pineapple should be firm, but not hard.
- How to properly cut a pineapple . Before eating, it is necessary to remove the top peel along with the eyes, since it is in the peel that the largest amount of substances that can cause discomfort are found. Peeled pineapple can be cut into cubes or slices.
- Do not use the pith . There is a lot of bromelain in the core of the fruit. When eating pineapple, it is not recommended to eat the core, as it can cause a burning sensation in the mouth.
For cases where the oral mucosa reacts sensitively to the fruit, you should opt for canned pineapples. They do not cause discomfort and are processed properly for further use.
Contraindications for eating
Eating the fruit is contraindicated for the following problems inside the mouth:
- the presence of cracks and scratches on the oral mucosa;
- carrying out a procedure to remove tartar;
- professional teeth cleaning;
- the presence of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity and pharynx;
- damage to tooth enamel;
- damage to teeth (cracks, holes).
Also, the fruit should not be used for food if there is mechanical damage to the mucous membrane.
Allergy to pineapples: treatment
The best option is complex therapy. It usually includes taking antihistamines and decongestants, treating the skin with anti-inflammatory creams and ointments, and removing allergens from the body using sorbents.
In order for allergy treatment to be as effective as possible, it is advisable to exclude certain foods from the diet: sea fish and seafood, cow's milk, red fruits and vegetables, nuts, citrus fruits, yeast, fermented cheeses.
To reduce skin allergy symptoms, you can use La Cree cream for sensitive skin. It fights skin hyperemia, itching and rashes. The product contains safe natural ingredients: string, walnut and violet extracts, panthenol, bisabolol and avocado oil. Due to the absence of hormones in the cream, it can be used for a long time - even for children from birth and pregnant women.
Not to be confused with allergies
Signs of burning are manifested by discomfort in the oral cavity, which gradually decreases. If there is a high level of sensitivity, a person may become allergic to pineapple. It manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- the tongue swells (becomes smooth) and loses sensitivity;
- lips become inflamed;
- small red spots or a small rash form near them;
- Gradually, the rash may spread to the cheeks and other parts of the face and body.
Signs of allergies most often do not disappear on their own, but increase and become more severe.
Clinical researches
Clinical studies have proven the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of the products. The products are suitable for daily care of children's skin with mild to moderate forms of atopic dermatitis and during remission, accompanied by a decrease in the quality of life of patients.
Cream for sensitive skin reduces itching and irritation, relieves redness of the skin, moisturizes and gently cares for it.
Sources:
- Kamasheva G.R., Khakimova R.F. Valiullina S.A., Methods for assessing the severity of atopic dermatitis in young children, Dermatology journal, 2010
- Kovyazina N.A., Fedosimova N.A., Illek Ya. Yu. Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis in young children, Vyatka Medical Bulletin, 2007
- Smirnova G.I. Managing the course of the disease: atopic dermatitis in children, Russian pediatric journal, 2014
Why do other products cause problems?
The reasons why your tongue hurts and stings, or your mouth burns from pineapple may coincide with unpleasant sensations from other foods. However, in some cases the factors are different.
Pinching occurs especially often from sour foods. Such products contain acid, which corrodes the surface of the mucous membrane, leading to unpleasant symptoms. Also, burning and pain occur in the presence of damage and inflammatory processes in the mucous membrane.
It stings in the mouth from eating and when stomatitis develops.
The answer to the question of why the tongue stings and hurts after eating is, in most cases, due to the composition of the products. You can often notice such sensations when eating citrus fruits or foods that contain a lot of acids. Products related to allergens can also cause itching and burning.
Diseases of the oral cavity and digestive tract can also cause discomfort after eating food.
Orange
After eating an orange, your lips burn because this fruit contains organic acids that do not have a very good effect on cells.
The skin has a protective or stratum corneum, but the lips do not.
Kiwi
Kiwi makes your tongue tingle because the fruit, again, contains a lot of fruit acids. In addition, there are the following reasons why discomfort may occur:
- individual sensitivity to kiwi;
- large amount of vitamin C.
An allergic reaction to kiwi may begin with a burning sensation on the tip of the tongue.
Figs
Figs sting or tingle your tongue because they contain acids that can negatively affect the condition of the oral mucosa. The main part of these acids is found in the skin of the fig, so it is necessary to remove the peel before eating. The following reasons that contribute to the formation of discomfort in the mouth should also be highlighted:
- unripe fruit;
- there are lesions on the oral mucosa that, when exposed to acids, create unpleasant symptoms;
- individual intolerance to the fetus.
Most often, pinching occurs from fresh figs, so you need to choose a dry fruit.
Melon
If your lips and tongue tingle after eating melon, this may be due to individual sensitivity and allergies. Initially, it manifests itself as a slight burning sensation in the mouth and throat, after which the symptoms intensify and develop into a more complex form. An allergic reaction may develop not to the melon itself, but to the nitrates with which some suppliers treat this berry.
Another source of possible burning is infection of the fetus with the fusarium fungus, which gives a bitter, tart taste, and may cause unpleasant sensations in the mouth. The risk of fungal infection increases if the melon is stored incorrectly and for a very long time.
Tomato
Factors why tomatoes sting the mucous membranes in the mouth and tongue:
- the body’s individual reaction to the acids present in tomatoes;
- the presence of damage on the covers of the tongue, they react to irritating substances.
Most often, discomfort in the mouth extends to the lips and the area around them.
Eggplant
Eggplants sting in the mouth because the vegetables contain salicylate (an ingredient in aspirin), which can negatively affect the well-being of people who have a negative tolerance for aspirin.
The largest amount of this component is in the peel of the vegetable, which is why many people may experience allergies when eating dishes made from unpeeled eggplant.
Watermelon
Unpleasant symptoms of burning in the tongue after eating watermelons can occur for the following reasons:
- the presence of a large amount of nitrates in the product;
- the product is not ripe;
- individual reaction of the body to watermelon.
Manifestations of discomfort during the period of eating watermelons, as a rule, quickly disappear on their own.
Walnuts
The appearance of a burning sensation from walnuts is explained by the following reasons:
- geographic language (inflammatory and dystrophic processes in the mucous membrane);
- the presence of mechanical damage to the tongue;
- development of allergy to the product.
Walnuts contain tannins, which can lead to an unpleasant burning sensation and itching.
Why does pineapple sting your tongue and lips?
According to the University of Melbourne, eating fresh pineapple can damage your mouth due to a certain enzyme called bromelain .
Bromelain, which breaks down proteins, actually begins to break down the lining of the mouth a little, causing a burning sensation. Luckily, the strong acid in the stomach in turn breaks down the bromelain. Therefore, pineapple does not cause the same irritation throughout the digestive system.
Another factor is that pineapple is quite acidic, with a pH level between 3.20 and 4.00. Acidic foods, such as pineapple, can cause painful ulcers or worsen existing ones. Additionally, acidic foods can aggravate acid reflux, also known as heartburn.
Although the enzyme bromelain can cause acid burn, it is still a beneficial substance. For example, it may be useful in reducing nasal inflammation and removing dead skin from burns. Research into other potential medicinal properties of bromelain is ongoing.
