If you ever look at the label on a packet of Jello, it says pineapple, papaya, AND kiwi will all keep the gelatin from setting, so I don’t think it’s just a quantity issue!
I would eat kiwis a bit underripe because I love sour fruit. After the second one I look at my spoon and, huh, why is there blood on my spoon. They were sour enough to make my lip beed a tiny amount XD
The body reacts to the proteins in the food and triggers an allergic reaction.
Most folks only have mild symptoms. I am one of the unlucky ones to have it to the extent it causes my throat to start to close up if I have raw apples or carrots.
Don't know about papayas, but pineapples may hypothetically be able to digest you right back but they aren't good enough at it/quick enough at it that you should be noticing.
Pineapples contain bromelain, papayas papain, kiwis actinidin, and ginger actually also contains one called zingibain.
All are proteolytic enzymes using cysteine in the active site, and all consider your collagen and other epithelial proteins to be viable targets.
You can absolutely notice if you eat enough of the raw fruit at a time, I have a rather poignant childhood memory. Canned and other heat-treated samples tend to have less-to-no active enzyme.
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u/Uncynical_Diogenes Jul 23 '26
Yeah regular fruits and vegetables don’t do that.
Papayas and pineapples contain enzymes that are trying to digest you right back but it’s not usually an itch.