Digging into some juicy pineapple is one among my favourite summer time pastimes. I’d prefer to eat a whole bowl of it—after which return for one more serving and possibly even a 3rd. What’s holding me again? I principally restrict myself as a result of anytime I devour the tangy fruit, it triggers essentially the most annoying stinging sensation on my tongue.

And I do know I’m not alone; I’ve come throughout numerous movies of individuals sharing related tingly experiences. Most frequently, they blame a pesky enzyme in pineapple as the principle reason for all that struggling. However not too long ago I stumbled throughout one other risk: A TikTok claiming that tiny, irritating shards discovered within the fruit’s flesh are literally the actual wrongdoer.

Stunning, proper? I used to be skeptical, because you clearly can’t imagine all the things you see on-line. So I made a decision to attach with an skilled to determine what’s actually occurring—and if there’s a manner I can dwell out my pineapple-eating desires annoyance-free.

Initially, does pineapple actually comprise tiny shards?

Determining whether or not that is true or not was my first order of enterprise, as a result of, properly, the considered consuming sharp fragments is fairly alarming.

Seems, it is true, but it surely’s not as dramatic because it sounds. The “spikes” in query are known as raphides. They’re sharp needle-like crystals manufactured from the mineral calcium oxalate (the identical substance that types kidney stones) that function the fruit’s pure protection of kinds, Michael P. Sheehan, PhD, an adjunct scientific assistant professor of dermatology who makes a speciality of plant irritant allergic reactions at Indiana College Faculty of Medication, tells SELF. Pineapples can’t simply run away anytime a predator (okay, me) tries to prey on them, so over time they developed a protecting mechanism that triggers an expulsion of pricks, Dr. Sheehan says.

Different produce like kiwis, spinach, and rhubarb even have raphides, which can clarify why some folks really feel the same irritation after consuming them too.

The excellent news is, these spikes are so microscopic which you can solely see them beneath particular tools. Meaning they’re not hearty sufficient to inflict critical hurt to a human mouth, however they’ll do some harm to bugs like child moths. It nonetheless doesn’t imply individuals are within the clear, although. Raphides may cause microscopic abrasions to tongues and the insides of cheeks, Dr. Sheenan says. Then, when the tangy, acidic juice from the pineapple seeps into these tiny microabrasions, you’re feeling that tingly, burning sensation.

So what about that enzyme?

Okay, the tiny shards concept checks out. Does that imply the tingly enzyme speculation is bogus?

Nope. Bromelain—an enzyme present in pineapple that helps disintegrate protein—additionally performs a task in irritating your tongue, Dr. Sheehan says. Your mouth can’t deal with the chemical in addition to your GI tract can: Bromelain breaks down proteins which can be a part of the mucus lining in your cheek, which wears away on the protecting barrier. This permits the acidity from the pineapple to get in and trigger an annoying tingly sensation.