There is a particularly unique plant in west Africa that I
find interesting. The Synsepalum dulcificum
is a plant that grows a berry containing the aptly named glycoprotein call
miraculin. When consumed miraculin makes sour foods taste sweet. While eating
the berry this effect can last from thirty minutes to an hour. The actually name miracle fruit or miracle
berry can be used to describe a few different plants, but all the plants share the
same characteristic of altering the perception of taste.
While the exact mechanism of miraculin is unknown it is
known that it binds to taste receptors on the tongue. When miraculin is exposed
to lower pH, which is typical for acidic sour foods, it will change the binding
to the taste receptors, activating the sweet receptors, causing any sour foods
to seem sweet. Miracle berries are safe to eat and have been consumed in west
Africa for some time without any reported side effects. The properties of miraculin
have led to it being tested as a food additive. The only minor drawback is that
miraculin can be denatured by heat, however it is still being tested and in
some places used to sweeten diet sodas.
It has not been approved in the U.S., however with no negative
outcomes being linked to consumption and with additional benefits coming to
light that may be subject to change. Recent studies have tested miraculin as a
supplement to control uric acid, a category known as anti-hyperuricaemia agents.
High uric acid levels can cause gout and kidney stones. These problems occur
more often among overweight populations, and finding a way to control uric acid
levels could be beneficial to many people with chronic uric acid related
problems. In the study I linked below miraculin lowered uric acid levels in
mice as effectively as allopurinol, a commonly used drug for gout sufferers. The
name miracle berry was given long before these benefits were known, however
with these new benefits coming to life it makes the name even more appropriate.
The use of natural subsatnces to make modern medical
treatments is a common occurrence. Many medicines have similar origin stories.
Let me know what you think in the comments below.
For more reading on how miraculin decreases uric acid
levels:
Miracle Fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) Exhibits as a Novel
Anti-Hyperuricaemia Agent
Authors: Yeu-Ching Shi
Molecules. 2016, Vol. 21 Issue 2, p1-13.
ISSN: 1420-3049
DOI: 10.3390/molecules21020140
I wonder if a sauce could be made out of this fruit to make certain fruits and vegetables more palatable, as this could be used to aid in promoting healthier diets like crystal light and Mio did for water.
ReplyDeleteI've tried these before at what was considered a miracle berry part! The spread on the table was nothing, but sour and tasted like candy in the after math. They are mind blowing and also encourage you to eat a ton of lemons that you will regret the next day. Interesting that they could have beneficial medical purposes when I am over here eating them for fun!
ReplyDeleteI have heard of these special berries that made lemons taste sweet, but I never knew they were being studied for potential medical purposes. That's amazing! Simply miraculous! Do you know of any other medical applications for the miracle berries besides controlling uric acid?
ReplyDeleteIf it is used for the medicinal purposes, it could have great benefits for those who may be susceptible to high levels of uric acid. If used as a food additive, making acidic foods tastes sweet could have an impact on acid erosion of your teeth.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting some right away. Not so much that I like sweet things, but what a cool plant this would be to have in my garden.
ReplyDelete