People Horrified After Finding Out Why Their Mouths Tingle After Eating Pineapple

We all have one thing in common, regardless of whether we're eating pineapple as a snack to meet our daily requirements because we enjoy the flavour or for other reasons.

It had our tongues tingling all the way away. 

We frequently experience this strange tingling feeling within our mouths and on our tongues after eating the tropical fruit.

And after always wondering why (never bothering to Google it), folks have been startled to learn the cause of this strange emotion.

There's a reason pineapple makes your mouth tingle Getty Images

In a TikTok video, SF Microscopy ultimately provides an answer for this peculiar pineapple prickle.

The science page dissected tiny portions of the fruit and examined them under a microscope.

They did this to demonstrate the logic to their followers.

So, why does your tongue tingle when eating pineapple?

The narrator goes on to describe how the seemingly aggressive fruits method of operation operates: "It's cause we are getting stabbed by 1000s of tiny needles called raphides."

"These crystals of calcium oxalate poke holes in your cell membranes causing irritation!"

Subsequently, the content producer revealed the "microcosmos" contained in the pineapple chunks. 

These essentially looked like "little needles" that stabbed your mouth and left your tongue feeling strangely unpleasant after eating.

The science of pineapple 'needles'

These needles are known as "raphides," and according to McGill University, they are filled with insoluble crystals of calcium oxalate.

One theory about raphides and their role in herbivore defence is that when a plant is damaged, the sap or saliva triggers the release of these needles.

The TikTok video offered an answer to the 'weird feeling on the tongue.' TikTok/@sf_microscopy

These needles can then prick the lining of the predator's mouth, such as that of humans, causing irritation.

Thus, most of us are unaware that pineapples have been fighting back when we eat them.

Similar phenomena occur with other fruits as well.

Kiwifruit contains an enzyme called actinidin, which can break down proteins and lead to a tingling or burning sensation in the mouth.

Mango skin has urushiol, the same compound found in poison ivy, which can cause irritation or a rash if it comes into contact with the skin.

Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes are high in citric acid, which can cause a burning sensation and exacerbate mouth ulcers.

Pomegranate seeds have a tough outer layer called an aril, which can be rough on the teeth and gums.

Bananas contain chitinase, a protein that may cause mild itching or irritation in some individuals.

Avocados have persin, which can cause gastrointestinal upset in large amounts but is generally safe in moderation.

After receiving an astounding 35.9 million views, the tell-all clip became viral, demonstrating that people everywhere were eager to share their reactions to the strange phenomena.

A TikTok user declared they would "never eat pineapple again" after becoming extremely alarmed by the science.

Some, nevertheless, were not deterred in the slightest by the tropical fruit stuffed with needles: "How masochist of me damn."

"You know the fruits good when it starts fighting back," joked a third.

Many others shared their own stories about pineapples that packed a punch: "It always feel so raw afterwards, this makes so much sense."

"My mouth be sore as hell after going crazy on them pineapples," revealed a fifth, while a sixth added: "Mine sometimes bleeds."

Another praised: "Thank you... never knew tropical fruit had defence mechanisms... very interesting."

Indeed.

But painapple or not, I'm still going to eat it.