When you eat a pineapple, it kind of eats you back.
As well as being a delicious and healthy snack, pineapple is a source of bromelain, a powerful enzyme that helps to soften meat. However, if you are not careful when eating this fruit, it can cause your gums, tongue and cheeks to bleed. In this article, we'll look at what bromelain is, how it can help treat burns, and how to eat pineapple safely.
What is bromelain?
Bromelain is a group of proteolytic enzymes that can break down proteins. It is found in the fruit and stem of the pineapple Ananas comosus. Bromelain is used to soften meat because it can break down proteins in tough cuts. Bromelain has also been studied for the treatment of burns. Studies have shown that bromelain can help remove dead and damaged skin from burns in children and adults.
How does bromelain help with burns?
Bromelain-based enzymatic wound treatment can improve the healing of full-thickness burns. Bromelain contains cysteine proteinases, which can break down any protein that contains the amino acid cysteine in its long-chain molecule. Mammalian cells have plenty of these, so the enzymes have something to work with when they are present in human tissue. However, more research is needed to see if bromelain treatment is better than standard scar treatment in the long term.
Why does pineapple make you bleed?
For some people, the powerful enzymes in pineapple cause a mild tingling or burning sensation. But for some unlucky souls, pineapple's vengeance is more serious, causing your tongue, gums and cheeks to bleed. This is because bromelain can break down proteins in the mouth.
Is it safe to eat pineapple?
Pineapple is perfectly safe to eat (unless you are allergic, which is rare), but for some people it can have unpleasant side effects. Trimming the pineapple from the stem, where the bromelain is most concentrated, may reduce the risk of ulcers, as may choosing canned rather than fresh. If you want to try pineapple without the risk, cooking it can destroy the enzymes so you won’t be eaten while snacking.
So, pineapple is a delicious and healthy snack, but don’t forget about the powerful enzyme bromelain, which is found in this fruit. If you are careful when eating pineapple, it won’t hurt you and can even help treat burns.
По материалам: http://www.planet-today.com/2023/06/pineapple-fruit-that-bites.html