Is pineapple juice '500%' more effective than cough syrup?

Hyderabad: A post claiming that pineapple is more effective than cough syrups is doing the rounds of social media.

According to one Facebook user, "Fresh pineapple juice is 500% more effective at relieving cough than most cough syrups. This juice also contains Bromelain, a special enzyme capable of digesting proteins & fighting inflammation."

(Click here and here to view similar claims.)

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade but what if life gives you pineapples? Will you make cough syrup out of it?

A cough is your body's way of responding when something irritates your throat or airways, says Mayo Clinic.

But does pineapple juice soothe cough better than cough syrups? Let's find out.

Fact Check

First, let's talk about the origin of the viral hoax.

The claim originated from a study published in 2011 in a publication known as 'Der Pharma Chemica' which said that "tuberculosis patients recovered 4.8 times faster" when treated with pineapple juice in lieu of cough syrup.

In a study titled "Use of Secondary Metabolite in Tuberculosis: A Review," alternative treatments for tuberculosis were discussed. The fact is the study was not about the efficacy of pineapple juice over cough syrups. In conclusion, further research is needed to prove its effectiveness on cough.

Moving forward, we found a study on WebMD explaining the anti-inflammatory properties of bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple. It said, 'The bromelain in pineapple juice may also thin mucus that causes congestion in the sinuses or chest. Together with its anti-inflammatory properties, pineapple juice may relieve symptoms of the common cold and allergies."

But it also stated, 'These properties have led researchers to study its ability to treat asthma. While research is ongoing, studies have found a link between bromelain intake and the reduction of airway inflammation, a primary symptom of asthma."

A Healthline article also said that while pineapple juice can be effective as a cough treatment, "other medicines and traditional treatments may be more effective depending on the cause of the cough." It added, "If you have asthma, for example, pineapple juice can be used as a supplemental treatment, but you shouldn't toss your doctor-prescribed inhaler out the window."

If your cough lasts for more than a week or disrupts your sleep, call your doctor and ask what treatments you should consider. People who have a pineapple allergy, or are allergic to other tropical fruits, should not drink pineapple juice.

Though pineapple has anti-inflammatory and mucus-thinning properties, we could not find any study or research proving the efficacy of pineapple juice over cough syrups.

It is always advised to contact your physician as there is no scientific evidence backing the claim.