Miracle Berry That Turns Sour to Sweet

The miracle fruit, Synsepalum dulcificum, is native to West Africa and has been known to Westerners since the 18th century. The cause of the reaction is a protein called miraculin, which binds with the taste buds and acts as a sweetness inducer when it comes in contact with acids, according to a scientist who has studied the fruit, Linda Bartoshuk at the University of Florida’s Center for Smell and Taste. Dr. Bartoshuk said she did not know of any dangers associated with eating miracle fruit.








How Miracle Fruit Helping Cancer Patients?

This berry can be a godsend to cancer patients, as the Miraculin protein inside of the fruit masks the bitter metallic aftertaste of some chemotherapy medicines. Because chemotherapy alters cancer patients sense of taste, they tend not to eat because the food tastes bad. Patients generally lose a lot of weight and don't have the motivation to get out of bed. They just don't have the strength from the lack of food. That's where this beautiful red berry comes into play - it can temporarily make food taste better again. The protein in this fruit is named appropriately, because this berry provides a miraculous feat of brain and taste bud trickery.