There’s a spooky reason why your mouth tingles when you eat pineapple
Rachael Davis
Featured Image Credit: ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images
If you’ve ever tucked into some delicious pineapple, you’ve probably experienced a strange tingling sensation over your tongue and mouth.
It’s a great way to get some vital nutrients and antioxidants, and it’s also great for fighting inflammation, promoting recovery, aiding digestion, and helping to prevent cancer according to Healthline.
Some people shy away from it because of the tingling that accompanies a mouthful. After all, it kind of feels like an allergic reaction.
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In a way, it is, but for most people it’s nothing to worry about. The reason behind it is nevertheless difficult to wrap your head around.
SF Microscopy took to TikTok to explain what’s going on, sharing the video with more than 77,000 followers.
The science-focused page dissected some pineapple chunks and analysed them under a microscope, with bizarre results.
Under the microscope, some crystals can be seen in the fruit’s matter.
These crystals are called ‘raphides’, and it’s these stabby little formations that cause the tingling.
"It's cause we are getting stabbed by 1000s of raphides,” explained the voiceover.
"These crystals of calcium oxalate poke holes in your cell membranes causing irritation!"
Effectively, we’re getting poked by thousands of tiny little needles hidden within the delicious tropical fruit.
But why would pineapples want to poke holes in our tongues?
The theory goes that raphides are a defence mechanism – if the plant takes some damage, sap or saliva will activate the raphides so they can prick whatever’s chowing down on the pineapple.
In other words, your pineapple isn’t all too happy about getting munched.
The clip has racked up over 4.2 million likes, with plenty of people struggling to get over the news that fruit fights back.
One person said they would “never eat pineapple again”.
"How masochist of me," said someone else.
"You know the fruit’s good when it starts fighting back," said another undeterred pineapple fan.
"It always feels so raw afterwards,” said another. “This makes so much sense."
"My mouth be sore as hell after going crazy on them pineapples," said another, while another claimed: "Mine sometimes bleeds."
Another said: "Thank you... never knew tropical fruit had defence mechanisms... very interesting."