7 Serious Side Effects Of Pineapple

Many of the side effects of pineapple might make you reconsider consuming this tropical treat.

There’s nothing like pineapples during the summer. Pineapples have a refreshing taste and help cool you off in the heat.

There will always be a place for pineapples, regardless of whether you slice, prepare a punch, or bake a dish with it. However, everything has some pros and cons, and even such a healthy fruit as pineapple can pose health risks when consumed in excess.

Pineapple may cause certain allergies or prevent certain medications from working properly.

This article examines the side effects of pineapples, their safety, and any potential drug interactions. Take a look below.

Know The Flip Side: Pineapple

Short-Term Effects
Oral allergies, throat irritation, vomiting, nausea, and skin rash.

Long-Term Effects
Tooth decay, diabetes, excessive menstruation flow, and gastrointestinal problems.

Drug Interactions
When taken with blood-thinning medicines, it can cause the risk of excessive bleeding.

When To See A Doctor
If you experience excessive stomach ache or excessive menstruation flow than usual, you may need to visit your doctor.

Side Effects Of Pineapple

Although there are multiple health benefits of pineapples, surplus consumption can lead to serious complications. Here are some pineapple side effects you should be aware off.

1. Allergy

What?

Consumption of pineapples can lead to allergic reactions in a few people.

How?

Pineapple has ‘meat-tenderizing’ properties, which may trigger allergic reactions. Pineapple may also cause latexⁱ  A milky white liquid found in many plants that may cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. allergies in some (1). Mostly these reactions would resolve within a few hours by themselves. But if not, then a medical practitioner should be consulted immediately.

Symptoms?

Excessive tenderness or swelling on the lips, a tingling sensation in the throat.

Sarah, a mom blogger, observed a series of concerning incidents related to their child Aidan’s potential pineapple allergy. These incidents included him experiencing symptoms like vomiting, skin rashes, and general discomfort. She says, “He also had some small spots, (usual for Aidan when he has a virus) as well as some red, sore looking patches of skin on his legs (i).” Sarah’s mom suggested it may have been caused by a pineapple allergy.

2. Blood Sugar Levels

What?

This is one of the serious side effects excess intake of pineapple can cause. Overconsumption of pineapples may spike blood sugar levels in susceptible individuals. This obviously does pose complications.

How?

Pineapples are one of those fruits that contain glucose and sucrose sugars. And because of this, they may elevate blood sugar levels in our body (2). Most fruits contain carbohydrates and these can also raise the blood sugar levels. ½ cup of pineapple has 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Symptoms?

Headache, increased thirst and frequent urination (3).

3. Bromelain Reactions

What?

Bromelain is an enzyme found in the pineapple juice and stem. This enzyme has been found to cause reactions in our bodies. However, while natural bromelain does not seem to be toxic, taking it as a supplement may warrant precaution.

How?

Bromelain has anticoagulantⁱ  A property, chemical substance, or medication that reduces or helps prevent the clotting of blood. properties (3). It might increase the risk of bleeding when consumed with blood-thinners.

Symptoms?

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,abdominal pain, heartburn, and indigestion.

Quick Tip

You can consume heated pineapple products to avoid these side effects as heat is known to reduce the activity of bromelain (7).

4. Drug Interactions

What?

Pineapple might even interfere or interact with certain types of medications or drugs. This might lead to heightened side effects and other problems.

How?

The bromelain in pineapple may increase the absorption of certain antibiotics like amoxicillin and tetracycline (4). This effect may cause side effects in some individuals.

Symptoms?

Chest pain, bloody nose, chills, fever, dizziness, etc.

5. Tooth Damage

What?

Though pineapple is a healthy and delicious fruit, excess intake can cause desensitizationⁱ  Damage to the nerves of your teeth that makes them non-reactive or insensitive to a particular, external stimulus. of teeth or tooth decay.

How?

Fruits like pineapple that are highly acidic in nature may initiate a chemical process in the mouth when consumed. Excess intake of pineapple, coupled with improper oral hygiene practices, may increase risk of tooth decay (5).

Symptoms?

Tooth pain and extreme sensitivity when taking hot or cold foods.

6. Oral Allergy Syndrome

What?

Oral allergy syndrome is nothing but an allergy to airborne particles like dust and pollen.

How?

This phenomenon occurs when the immune system in our body confuses the protein in pineapple with pollen or any other allergen (6). As a result of this, reactions occur within the body.

Symptoms?

Irritation or itching on the tongue for sometime after consuming a pineapple.

7. Diarrhea

What?

Some people may experience vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea after consuming pineapples (8).

How?

Ripe pineapples contain natural sugars like fructose (9). Consuming large quantities of fructose may cause gastrointestinal discomfort in children and certain adults (10).

Symptoms?

You may experience diarrhea, flatulence, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloating, sometimes as quickly as 30 minutes after consuming pineapples (8), (10). However, more studies are warranted in this regard.

Quick Tip

Some believe that bromelain digests the proteins present on your tongue and the roof of the mouth, leading to a burning sensation after you eat a pineapple.

All the above mentioned are side effects of pineapple consumption! Though I don’t mean to say pineapples are ‘bad’ or ‘poisonous’, they do have their own set of side effects and should be consumed in moderation.

Key Takeaways

• Certain medications may interact negatively when consuming pineapple.
• Pineapple may cause allergic reactions in some people.
• Excess pineapple consumption may cause elevated blood sugar levels or tooth damage.
• Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, may increase bleeding risk if taken as a supplement.
• Pineapple may also trigger reactions from oral allergy syndrome.

Infographic: Pineapples: General Recommended Daily Intake

Pineapple is a tropical treat, which, if overindulged in, can quickly become a disaster. As every individual reacts differently to different pineapple concentrations, there are no strict limits on its intake values. However, some general recommendations can help.

Check out the infographic below to learn more about the recommended daily intake values of pineapple and its associated products.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it OK to eat pineapple at night?

Blanca Garcia, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, says, “Pineapple is safe to eat at night as long as it is consumed between meals and in moderation.”

Can pineapple cause uric acid?

According to Garcia, “Although pineapple is an acidic fruit, it does not raise uric acid levels in the body; rather, it helps lower uric acid levels due to its high magnesium content.”

Can pineapple cause gas and bloating?

“No. Instead, it helps with bloating because it contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down protein and aids in digestion,” says Blanca Garcia.

What happens if I eat pineapple every day?

Pineapple is loaded with many beneficial nutrients that offer various benefits like boosting digestion, improving immunity, dissolving kidney stones and revving metabolism. However, having it in moderation is advised.

Does pineapple affect sperm count?

Yes, pineapple affects sperm count positively. It is rich in manganese, and B vitamins, which determine the sperm count. Therefore, including this fruit as a part of the diet helps increase the sperm count.

Can pineapple raise blood pressure?

No. Pineapple cannot cause high blood pressure. Moreover, its low potassium content helps manage blood pressure levels effectively.

What are some ways to incorporate pineapple into my diet?

You can incorporate pineapple into your diet in various ways. You may add fresh pineapple chunks to your morning smoothies or yogurt bowls. It also works well as a topping for salads or grilled chicken and fish. Pineapple can be used in homemade salsa, baked into desserts, or enjoyed as a refreshing snack on its own.

Illustration: Serious Side Effects Of Pineapple

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Discover the surprising dangers of excessive pineapple consumption. From tongue inflammation to digestive woes, this eye-opening video reveals the 5 side effects of consuming this tropical treat every day.

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Reviewer Expert Author Editor Fact Checker

Karishma ShahIntegrative Health Nutritionist

     

Karishma Shah is an Integrative Health Nutritionist and Holistic Wellness Coach with 3 years of experience. She has an extensive background in clinical nutrition, Ayurveda, and spiritual-mental health. She adopts a multi-disciplinary and wholesome approach to work on the body, mind, and soul and brings about sustainable and long-lasting transformations in her clients.

Read full bio of Karishma Shah

• 
  Blanca GarciaRDN Blanca Garcia, RDN, has 8 years of experience as a nutrition specialist. She graduated from California State University of Los Angeles in 2011 and interned at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus in 2012. She services clients in both English and Spanish.
  
  Blanca Garcia, RDN, has 8 years of experience as a nutrition specialist. She graduated from California State University of Los Angeles in 2011 and interned at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus in 2012. She services clients in both English and Spanish.

Ravi Teja TadimallaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Sindhu KogantiSenior Health & Wellness Writer

Sindhu Koganti is a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach and has over 6 years of experience in writing on health and wellness topics. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy.

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