A major side effect of eating pineapple, says dietitian

When it comes to summer fruits, it’s hard to beat the reigning queen herself, the pineapple (she literally comes with a crown!). Even though pineapple didn’t look so majestic, there are more than enough health benefits to help it climb to the top of the summer fruit food pyramid: this sweet and hot is loaded with vitamins and minerals, can aid digestion, and works just as well served on chicken kebabs as it does on the side of a glass of pina colada.

In just one cup of fresh pineapple, you’ll get over 100% of your daily intake of vitamin C and 180 milligrams of potassium. Pineapple is also loaded with an enzyme called bromelain, which has been approved by a dietitian. Erin Palinski-Wade, Dt.t. author of Belly Fat Diet For Dummies, said acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory.

Studies have shown that bromelain is potentially beneficial in a wide variety of applications; topically, it may help in the healing of burns, bruises, muscle tension, and tendonitis, and when taken orally, it may be able to reduce inflammation in people with any, from arthritis to gum disease to sinusitis.

So what’s not to like? You should eat as many pineapples as you want, right?

Wait, it’s not all good news. Yes, pineapple is good for you, but too much of anything usually causes problems. Although pineapple does not contain enough bromelain to be used medicinally (you would need a dietary supplement or topical treatment for this), too much bromelain can still cause discomfort in the body. mouth, throat and stomach.

“Eating too much pineapple, and therefore too much bromelain, can lead to negative side effects [like] tongue irritation and burning sensation, ”says Palinski-Wade.

FYI, this is just for the average pineapple eater; for people particularly sensitive to bromelain, Palinski-Wade says eating too much pineapple can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Of course, this reaction is not very common and has been seen more often in research studies, with people taking a bromelain supplement rather than eating a ton of pineapple. Unless you are allergic to pineapple (which is a whole different thing), you are not likely to feel physically sick after eating pineapple.

How to avoid this irritating side effect of eating pineapple.

Still, it might be helpful to take a more conservative approach to pineapple consumption to avoid the unpleasant side effects of bromelain, such as indigestion, mouth irritation, and gastrointestinal upset.

If that disappoints you (you’ve been really looking forward to all those pineapple infused drinks by the pool!), You may still be able to feast on this sunny and nutritious fruit … with a few tweaks.

“Try broiling or baking your pineapple instead, as this helps break down the [bromelain] and reduces these side effects, ”advises Palinski-Wade. “If you prefer fresh pineapple, remember that the highest levels of bromelain are found in the stem and core. So avoid eating raw pineapple from these parts to reduce potential discomfort.

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