Why the tongue burns after pineapple: a video with an explanation scared the network

Pineapple is a delicious and juicy fruit, but some nuances prevent you from enjoying it to the fullest. If you eat a few slices, you'll feel an unpleasant burning sensation on your tongue, and after prolonged tingling, you may even feel temporary numbness.

A scientific video stirred up the web: a piece of pineapple was examined under a microscope, and what scientists saw may be shocking. It turns out that under the magnifying glass, numerous "needles" are visible, which are stuffed with these tropical fruits.

Why pineapple burns your tongue

Scientists took tiny pieces of pineapple to analyze them under a microscope, and the results were striking.

The tongue burns because it is infested with thousands of raffids. Raffids (from the ancient Greek rhaphis - "needle") are needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate or calcium carbonate that are deposited in plant cells.

These crystals pierce cell membranes, causing irritation.

Scientists from McGill University explained that raffids contain insoluble crystals that consist of calcium oxalate. The theory behind raffids and their defense mechanisms is that if the plant is damaged, the sap or saliva will trigger the release of these needles, which can then prick the mucous membrane of the "predator" (in the case of pineapples, humans are the "predators") and cause irritation.

Relatively speaking, the pineapples actually "fought back" against us when we ate them - and we didn't even realize it.

In addition, tingling and numbness are also caused by the acidity of the fruit, which is due to its high vitamin C content.

A group of enzymes called bromelain, contained in pineapple juice and stem, dissolves protein compounds, which causes a tingling sensation in the mouth.

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