Last Updated on July 17, 2021 by Team THIP
Quick Take
An old claim that has been doing rounds on social media reads, “Pineapple is 500% more effective than cough syrup.” We fact-checked and found that the claim originated from one study which was not even about pineapple’s efficacy. We find the claim is mostly false.
The Claim
While some of these posts read that “Pineapple is 500% more effective than cough syrups”, some others claim, “5 times more effective”. Some of these posts can be seen here, and here.
Fact Check
Is pineapple juice more healthy than cough syrup?
There is some evidence that pineapple juice can prove to be more effective than cough syrup. A study published in 2011 in a publication called Der Pharma Chemica cites, “tuberculosis patients recovered 4.8 times faster” when treated with pineapple juice in lieu of cough syrup.
The study titled “Use of Secondary Metabolite in Tuberculosis: A Review” was about alternative treatments for tuberculosis. It was NOT about the efficacy of pineapple or its comparison with cough syrup. The researchers further note that pineapple juice was given to the tuberculosis patients with salt, pepper, and honey mixed in it.
Apart from this one single study, we could not find any further research that compares pineapple juice vis-a-vis cough syrup on their efficacy level.
Is pineapple juice healthy otherwise?
Pineapple juice is very healthy. Pineapple juice contains an enzyme called bromelain, which triggers your body’s ability to fight pain and reduce swelling. Research has shown, “Bromelain accounts for many therapeutic benefits like the treatment of angina pectoris, bronchitis, sinusitis, surgical trauma, and thrombophlebitis, debridement of wounds, and enhanced absorption of drugs, particularly antibiotics. It also relieves osteoarthritis, diarrhea, and various cardiovascular disorders.”
Apart from that pineapple is a good source of Vitamin C that improves the body’s immunity.
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