Kiwis are tasty and full of good nutrients like vitamins and antioxidants. They are often used in snacks and drinks to stay healthy.
But sometimes, eating kiwi can make your mouth feel like it’s burning. This isn’t very nice and can hurt. This happens because of something in kiwi called actinidin. Actinidin breaks down proteins, and when it does this in your mouth, it can make it sore and irritated.
If kiwi makes your mouth burn, don’t worry. You’ll find some great ways to stop this from happening in this article, so you can eat kiwi without any problems.
Table of Contents
- Why Does Eating Kiwi Make My Tongue Burn?
- How Can I Stop Kiwi from Burning My Tongue?
- Tips to Avoid Kiwi Burn
- Ways to Treat Kiwi Burn
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is most likely to experience kiwi burn?
- Can consuming too much kiwi cause kiwi burn?
- Can kiwi burn be a sign of an allergic reaction?
- Is kiwi burn a serious health concern?
- Should I avoid eating kiwi if I’ve experienced kiwi burn in the past?
Why Does Eating Kiwi Make My Tongue Burn?
When you feel your tongue burning after eating a kiwi, that’s something lots of people go through. Actinidin, the substance that causes this feeling, is what’s behind it.
Actinidin breaks down proteins in your mouth which can lead to a burning or tingling feeling. It can make your tongue, gums, lips, or the inside of your mouth uncomfortable or even hurt.
Some things can make you more likely to get this burning feeling. Eating kiwis that aren’t ripe enough or are too ripe, eating too many kiwis, or if you already have a sensitivity or allergy to kiwis can make it worse. It can also be because of a condition called oral allergy syndrome. This is when the body’s defense system gets upset by some proteins in fruits and veggies, causing allergic reactions in the mouth and throat.
Most of the time, kiwi burn isn’t a big health worry, and there are ways to make it less bothersome.
How Can I Stop Kiwi from Burning My Tongue?
To keep kiwi from making your tongue burn, go for ripe ones, peel the skin, cut them into bite-size pieces, chew slowly, and maybe have some dairy like milk or yogurt before or after. If your mouth still feels like it’s burning, try rinsing with cold water, sucking on ice, putting something soothing like honey on the sore spot, or taking an antihistamine if needed.
Tips to Avoid Kiwi Burn
There are steps you can take to not get that kiwi burn feeling. Here are some tips you can try:
- Pick ripe kiwis: Look for kiwis that are just right – not too hard and not too squishy. The ones that aren’t ripe or are too ripe have more actinidin, which can lead to more burning.
- Take the skin off: Kiwi skin has a lot of actinidin. If you peel it off, less of it will touch your mouth and tongue.
- Make them bite-size and chew slowly: Cutting kiwis into smaller pieces and not rushing when you chew can help keep actinidin from bothering your mouth too much.
- Have some dairy: Eating something like milk, yogurt, or cheese along with kiwi can balance out the enzymes that cause the burning feeling.
These tips can help you avoid the burn and still get to enjoy the health benefits of kiwis without any trouble.
Ways to Treat Kiwi Burn
If you still end up with a kiwi burn, don’t worry. There are ways to soothe the burn. Here are a few:
- Rinse your mouth: Use cold water or mix some salt into water to swish around your mouth. This can help calm down inflammation and lessen the burning feeling.
- Chill with ice or a popsicle: Ice can make the sore area feel numb, and a popsicle can also help because it’s cold and sweet.
- Put something soothing on it: Honey or aloe vera can be put right onto the burn to help with the inflammation and make it feel better.
- Consider an antihistamine: If the burn is really bad or if you have other allergy symptoms, an antihistamine from the store might help with the inflammation and discomfort.
It’s good to remember that these fixes might help, but if the burning doesn’t go away or if it’s really bad, it’s best to see a doctor or allergy specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is most likely to experience kiwi burn?
Kiwi burn can happen to anyone, but it is more common in people who already know they have allergies or sensitivities to kiwis. Eating kiwis that are either not fully ripe or too ripe, or eating a lot of kiwis, can also make kiwi burn more likely to happen.
Can consuming too much kiwi cause kiwi burn?
Absolutely, if you eat too many kiwis, your chances of getting kiwi burn go up. Kiwis have an enzyme called actinidin that helps break down proteins. But if you eat a lot of it, actinidin can irritate and inflame the soft parts inside your mouth.
Can kiwi burn be a sign of an allergic reaction?
Sometimes, kiwi burn might actually be a sign that you’re having an allergic reaction to kiwis. Kiwi allergies are not very common, but the symptoms can include itchy skin, swollen lips or tongue, trouble breathing, or even anaphylaxis, which is very serious. If you get any of these symptoms along with kiwi burn, you should get medical help right away.
Is kiwi burn a serious health concern?
Most of the time, kiwi burn isn’t something to worry about too much. It can feel uncomfortable or cause pain, but it usually goes away by itself without needing to see a doctor.
Should I avoid eating kiwi if I’ve experienced kiwi burn in the past?
If you’ve had kiwi burn before, it’s smart to be careful to not get it again. But you don’t have to stop eating kiwis completely unless you’re allergic to them or had a really bad reaction before. There are some things you can do to help prevent kiwi burn. Choose kiwis that are just the right ripeness, take off the skin, cut them into small bites, chew them well, and maybe have some dairy products before or after eating kiwis to help. This way, you can still get all the good stuff from kiwis without the discomfort.
