Some people avoid eating pineapple owing to the tingling sensation it causes on the tongue, lips, and throat. But, all you need is a simple ingredient that will do the trick and you can enjoy the myriad benefits of this tropical fruit that comes loaded with nutrients, disease-fighting antioxidants, and is known to aid digestion and even speed up recovery post-exercise.
Dr Lily Choi, a New York-based licensed acupuncturist, recently took to Instagram to list the many such reasons this fruit must be added to your diet. “According to traditional Chinese medicine, pineapple is great for the stomach and kidney systems, and helps (with) energy and thirst. I love pineapple because it packs a great deal of health-enhancing vitamins C and B6, manganese, potassium, riboflavin, iron, and more,” said Dr Choi.
Dr Choi, however, added that many avoid the fruit for the tingling feeling it causes in the mouth and the throat, which is caused due to the presence of “bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme which offers many health benefits”. “Ever notice the tingly sensation in your mouth when you eat pineapple? That stems from the bromelain enzyme that lives within pineapple flesh and breaks down proteins when consumed. It reduces inflammation and swelling. It is used to treat conditions like sinusitis, soreness in muscles, osteoarthritis, digestive support, wound healing, and weight loss. Bromelain is also said to repair blood cells and help stabilise blood pressure,” Dr Choi said.
Also Read | Things diabetics must know before having pineapples
But, can you avoid the sensation?
According to Dr Choi, salt helps inactivate the bromelain enzymes, and even adding a small amount of salt can enhance the fruit’s sweetness making it even more delicious, she said.
Here’s how salt balances pineapple (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
How to add salt?
*Cut your pineapple and place it in 1-2 cups of water
*Add in 1 tablespoon of sea salt
*Soak for around one minute and enjoy!
Commenting on the usefulness of this hack, Dr Priyanka Rohatgi, chief clinical dietician, Apollo Hospitals Bangalore mentioned that raw pineapple causes the sensation as the act of breaking down of amino acids and collagen in the mouth can cause itchiness and irritation. “Hence, soaking pineapple in salt water or cooking up to 60 degrees helps,” she added.
Also Read | Can pineapple aid digestion? Find out here
The act of soaking also helps reduce the risk of allergies and side effects.“Bromelain might be helpful for people with asthma as it has anti-inflammatory effects, but it may cause side effects like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and heavy menstrual bleeding in some people. Pregnant women should also avoid bromelain as it affects uterus (womb) muscles,” said Vidhi Chawla, dietician and founder, Fisico Diet Clinic.
Besides this, Dr Chawla added that adding salt also balances acidity for those who are prone to it.
Now, wondering how to cut a pineapple at home?
Here’s a step-by-step guide from chef Kunal Kapur.
*Cut off the top (the crown) and base of the fruit.
*Next, keep the pineapple in a vertical position and slice away the outer covering into large strips.
*Repeat the process from all the sides to get rid of the outer skin entirely. “If there are any brown eyes, cut them too,” he said.
*Slit the pineapple from the middle, divide it into chunks, and place them on a chopping board.
*Chop them into bite-sized pieces.
Also Read | From fighting inflammation to increasing fat breakdown: The many health benefits of pineapples
How to pick a ripe pineapple?
Unlike what is believed, pineapple is not a single fruit but a cluster of up to 200 fruitlets which is called a sorosis, said chef Sanjeev Kapoor in his blog while sharing the right way to pick a ripe pineapple.
*While buying a pineapple, always choose a fruit that is heavy for its size. “The only difference between a large and small pineapple is its size, since there is usually no difference in quality,” he noted.
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*Remember, the fruit should not have any soft spots, bruises, mould or darkened eyes all of which are signs that the fruit is not fresh. You can also tap a finger against the side of the fruit to judge its freshness, ripeness, and quality. “A ripe pineapple of good quality has a dull, solid sound whereas a poor quality of the fruit will have a hollow thud,” he said.
*It stops ripening once it is picked, so choose a fruit which has a sweet and fragrant smell at the stem end, he said.
*He also shared that ripe pineapples spoil fast at room temperature. “At the same time, they are chill sensitive and cannot be stored in refrigerator for a long time. Hence they should be used up as early as possible,” he mentioned.
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FAQs
Salt triggers bromelain to begin working, so by the time the pineapple reaches your mouth, the enzyme has been inactivated, says Tunick. Dipping fresh pineapple briefly in a saltwater solution is the best way to maximize contact between salt and bromelain.
What does soaking pineapple in salt water do? ›
If the flavor isn't doing it for you, that odd feeling can be hard to overcome. That's why soaking or washing pineapple in salt water is such a great hack. Salt will actually activate the bromelain before it even enters your body, so by the time you eat it, the protein will have gone inactive.
Why don't you have to wash a pineapple before you eat it? ›
You don't need to rinse the pineapple flesh once it's been cut. Because the shell has acted as a protective barrier, the flesh is totally clean and ready to be enjoyed!
How to get rid of bitter taste after eating pineapple? ›
Another way to keep the bromelain from bothering your tongue is to consume fresh pineapple with a creamy dairy like yogurt, crème fraîche, or ice cream. These items have milk proteins that interact with this rather aggressive enzyme, neutralizing it in the process.
How to make pineapple not itchy? ›
Sheehan recommends to help improve the stinging:
- Try cooking the pineapple to 135°F. This kills off the enzymes that cause burning, Dr. Sheehan says. ...
- Combine it with dairy. That allows bromelain to focus on the whey and casein proteins in it instead of the ones in your mouth. The dairy will also help neutralize the pH.
Its natural detoxifying properties help to cleanse the body of toxins, supporting liver function and promoting overall well-being,” said Sharma. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties of pineapple water can help reduce inflammation throughout the body, alleviating joint pain and swelling.
Is bromelain good for you? ›
Although studies show mixed results, bromelain may reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain after surgery and physical injuries. It is often used to reduce inflammation from tendinitis, sprains and strains, and other minor muscle injuries.
Why we should not drink water after eating pineapple? ›
Water should be avoided after eating fruits because this combination can interfere with the absorption and digestion process in the stomach, resulting in acidity. This is why some people feel queasy after eating fruit.
When should you not eat pineapple? ›
Bromelain can also interact with some medications. Those taking antibiotics, anticoagulants, blood thinners, anticonvulsants, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, insomnia drugs and tricyclic antidepressants should be careful not to eat too much pineapple.
Should you rinse after eating pineapple? ›
Simply rinsing the mouth with water after eating foods like pineapple can help to dilute any harmful acids, and always wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. This gives the enamel a chance to remineralise following the 'acid attack'.
If your tongue is still a burning fire, there's hope yet: Cooking the pineapple (grill it, roast it, or even blanch it) can remove most of the enzymes. Or pair the fruit with a creamy dairy product (yogurt, ice cream, crème fraîche).
What happens when you eat a lot of pineapple? ›
Supplementing nutrients from pineapple not only fills the body with energy, but also brings many practical benefits to health. However, like other foods, if you consume too much pineapple, there will be a risk of causing bad symptoms for the stomach and nearby organs, such as: Abdominal discomfort, pain appears.
Does canned pineapple contain bromelain? ›
Bromelain is a compound that aids digestion and breaks down dietary proteins. In fact, it is so strong that you could tenderise even a piece of tough meat in a pineapple marinade. However, you will only find bromelain in the fresh fruit. Fans of tinned pineapple will lose out in this regard.
Should I soak pineapple in salt water? ›
Salt triggers bromelain to begin working, so by the time the pineapple reaches your mouth, the enzyme has been inactivated, says Tunick. Dipping fresh pineapple briefly in a saltwater solution is the best way to maximize contact between salt and bromelain.
Why can't you bake with fresh pineapple? ›
Bromelain cuts the protein chains and keeps the product from jelling properly. What can you do to overcome this challenge? Try using canned pineapple in place of fresh fruit. Canned pineapple has been heated causing the bromelain to be less reactive.
Why is pineapple good for women's health? ›
Pineapple benefits for women's health
The fruit's high vitamin C content not only boosts immunity but also promotes collagen production, contributing to skin elasticity and a healthy complexion. Additionally, pineapple's manganese content plays a role in bone health, crucial for women, especially as they age.
Does salt reduce acidity in pineapple? ›
Using a small amount of salt won't alter the flavor of the pineapple but make it less acidic so it doesn't burn your tongue.
How to grow bigger pineapples? ›
Removing developing slips and suckers will enhance the rate of growth of pineapple plants and reduce the time it takes them to become large enough to induce flowering and produce large fruit. Pineapple plants may be induced to flower by short day lengths, cool/cold weather, and dry or drought conditions (Table 1).
How to enhance pineapple flavor? ›
Roast for 25 to 40 minutes (depending on the size of the pieces), until juicy, tender, and gently caramelized. (As when roasting anything, the flavor intensifies and, in this case, becomes sweeter and more pineapple-y.)
Do pineapples float in salt water? ›
If the pineapple was placed in the ocean, it would gradually rise to the surface before it could reach the ocean floor. This is due to the fact that the pineapple is less dense than the surrounding water, causing the pineapple to float.
Here’s how salt balances pineapple (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)