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It's not an old wives' tale. For some people, drinking pineapple juice before having sex can make for uncomfortable action between the sheets. Blame it on bromelain, a natural enzyme found in the stem and flesh of this juicy tropical fruit.
Bromelain has its plusses: it is loaded with antioxidants like vitamins A and C, and is thought to have anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant properties. But it can cause gastrointestinal upset.
Bromelain triggers the release of histamine, a chemical produced by the body that helps protect it against infection. But some people are histamine intolerant, and drinking pineapple juice can trigger the production of excessive amounts of histamine in the stomach and gut.
When this happens, the lining of the stomach can become swollen and inflamed, says Christina Spaccavento, a sex therapist from Sydney, Australia. This is why people who have active stomach or duodenal ulcers are urged to avoid consuming fresh pineapple juice. Canned juice does not usually contain bromelain because the canning process destroys the enzyme.