Pineapple is one beautiful fruit almost no one can resist, but like the other fruits, it does have its share of side effects or disadvantages in case you consume it in excess.
The pineapple is a tropical plant with an edible fruit; it is the most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae. The pineapple is indigenous to South America, where it has been cultivated for many centuries.
In 2021, a team of researchers at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) established the capacity of Bromelain derivable from pineapple fruits in the management of COVID-19 cases.
According to the University of Ilorin Bulletin issued that Monday, the discovery is in conjunction with Prof. Bamidele Owoeye, the Head, Department of Physiology, and Mr Ahmed Bakare, a PhD candidate at the university.
The publication is entitled: “Bromelain reduced Pro-Inflammatory Mediators as A Common Pathway that Mediate Antinociceptive and Anti-anxiety Effects in Sciatic Nerve Litigated Wistar Rats.”
“The study, which was conducted at the university and derived from the doctoral thesis of Bakare, has shown that pineapple fruits could be more beneficial to the body, especially in the treatment of pain resulting from nerve injuries called Neuropathic.
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“It was also clear that while bromelain, derived from pineapple fruits, could relieve the pain from nerve injuries, it also nourishes the injured nerves thereby helping to minimise the injury,” he said.
Owoeye added that bromelain had the capacity to enhance the functions of injured nerves by reducing the activities and concentration of inflammatory chemicals that are generated when nerves are injured.
He, therefore, drew the attention of the concerned authorities to the potency of bromelain/pineapple in the management of COVID-19 because the pineapple fruits contain bromelain which actively reduces cytokines concentration, which are implicated in the destructive actions of COVID-19.
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The don, who is also the Regional Secretary for West Africa Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA), commended the Director of the Central Research Laboratories, University of Ilorin, Prof. Musa Yakubu, for the support he granted his team, which enabled the publication of the article in the Scientific Reports.
Now below are the effects or disadvantages of consuming Pineapple in excess:
Allergy
Consumption of pineapples can lead to allergic reactions in a few people.
How?
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Pineapple has ‘meat-tenderizing’ properties. And these are what cause the fruit to trigger allergic reactions . Mostly these reactions would resolve within a few hours by themselves. But if not, then a medical practitioner should be consulted immediately.
Bromelain Reactions
Bromelain is an enzyme found in the pineapple juice and stem. This enzyme has been found to cause reactions in our bodies when we consume pineapple.
How?
Bromelain has the ability to increase the amount of certain antibiotics absorbed by the body. And when bromelain is consumed with blood-thinners, it can increase the risk of bleeding.
Medication reactions
Pineapple might even interfere or interact with certain types of medications. This might lead to heightened side effects and other problems.
How?
When a fresh pineapple is combined with certain antibiotics like amoxicillin and tetracycline, it might lead to an increase in the side effects caused by these antibiotics.
Tooth Damage
Though pineapple is a healthy and delicious fruit, it can cause desensitization of teeth or tooth decay.
How?
Fruits like pineapple which are highly acidic in nature initiate a chemical process in the mouth when consumed. This softens the enamel and leads to tooth decay .
