Introduction

We all want to have optimum oral health and most of us hate to go to the dentist to treat the annoying cavities we have but what if there is a plant that can help us improve our oral health and also has other health benefits. This plant is called the miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum).

Definition of miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum)

To start with, what is the miracle fruit? Its scientific name is Synsepalum dulcificum. It's a plant usually found in West and Central Africa like Benin and Ghana, it grows in acidic soil with PH ranging from 4.5 to 5.8. It grows in warm, wet and humid conditions.

But why is it called a miracle fruit? Well, the locals found out that when they eat any sour food after they have eaten this particular fruit it gives the food a sweet taste, even if they had eaten it one hour ago, although it has no taste and for this reason, they called it miracle fruit.

Historical and cultural significance of Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum)

Miracle fruit has a historical and cultural significance as it was used in West Africa to help consume sour food and beverages, it was also used in the treatment of some diseases for example tuberculosis, Malaria and cough.

It was also of significant cultural importance among the sociolinguistic groups in Benin and Ghana.

Miracle Fruit's impact on oral health and cavity prevention

But what does it have to do with oral health and cavity prevention?

To answer this question we have to know what are its components and how does it work to benefit our body.

Composition and mechanism of action

Chemical composition of miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum)

The pulp of the miracle fruit contains some proteins, the most important one is miraculin which is a glycoprotein. It also contains some phenolic compounds which contain antioxidants. The seeds of the miracle fruit contain about 10 fatty acids. 

The miraculin protein is the protein responsible for making sour food taste sweet. As for the antioxidants, it is what gives nutritional value to food and gives it a better quality.

The mechanism of sweet taste perception of the human tongue

The two sites in the oral cavity responsible for the taste sensation are the tongue and the soft palate but the tongue plays a major role. The tongue has taste buds which are the small projections found on its surface giving it that velvet texture.

These taste buds contain taste cells. The taste cells have receptors in them. There are receptors for each taste (bitter, sweet, sour, salty and umami) when any of these receptors get activated it sends signals to the brain hence the feeling of the taste.

Mechanism of action in altering taste perception

The fruit itself does not have a sweet taste and the altering of the taste occurs when in contact with the pulp. However when it gets in the oral cavity, it gets activated by the acids found in the mouth ( produced due to the fermentation of food by the bacteria or due to consumption of sour food).

So miraculin (MCL) in the presence of the acidic medium binds to the membrane of the receptors of taste cells in the area of the tongue responsible for the sweet taste. The Miraculin stays bound to the receptors and can reactivate it. That's how it alters the taste of sour foods and beverages and makes them taste sweet

Oral health benefits and cavity prevention

Prevalence of dental cavities and oral diseases

Oral diseases (like gum diseases, cavities, caries, teeth loss and lip cancer) are considered one of the most widespread diseases globally which causes a reduction to the quality of life. The cost of treating them is expensive; it is considered an economic burden with the most common oral diseases amongst them all which is dental caries or cavitation. There is an increased awareness and desire to prevent it.

Antimicrobial properties against oral pathogens

Miracle fruit can improve oral health in many senses. Extracts of the miracle fruit leaves have antibacterial effects against some facultative anaerobic bacteria like streptococcus mutans which is a type of bacteria that is mostly found in the oral cavity causing enamel demineralization leading to caries (cavities in teeth).

Potential role in reducing sugar consumption and its effect on cavity formation

To know how we can prevent cavity formation using miracle fruit, we first have to know how the cavity forms and what causes it. When we consume sugars and carbohydrates they get hydrolyzed by amylase enzymes found in saliva then the bacteria found in the oral flora especially streptococcus Mutans ferments sugar producing lactic acid which decreases the PH of the oral cavity and changes the composition of saliva and it doesn't stop here, the lactic acid starts to dissolve the minerals of the enamel surface of the tooth causing demineralization of the tooth hence causing cavities. And that gets us to the role of Miracle fruit in preventing cavity formation.

As mentioned earlier the miraculin protein (MLC) binds to the taste cell receptors responsible for the sweet taste which means you can get the sweet taste without consuming large amounts of sugar and food containing artificial sweeteners. So less sugar means less food for bacteria which leads to a decrease in bacterial activity. 

Practical applications and recommendations

Incorporating miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) into dietary habits for oral health benefits

Incorporating Miracle fruit into dietary habits will immensely decrease sugar cravings and consequently, sugar intake will decrease the presence of sugar in the oral cavity which affects the amount of sugar that bacteria like Streptococcus mutans( the main type of bacteria responsible for causing cavities) can ferment into lactic acid (which can dissolve minerals in enamel causing cavities).

But we also have to know that the Miraculin found in miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) only alters the taste and can not change the composition of the food, so we should be careful while consuming sour and acidic food in large amounts because its acidity can cause tooth erosion, gastric reflux and stomach irritation.

FAQs

Can miracle fruit be eaten raw?

Miracle fruit can be eaten in many forms whether raw or processed into medicine or food.

Is miracle fruit FDA approved?

Miracle fruit has been approved by the Ministry of Health and welfare in Japan but it hasn't been approved by the Food and Drug Administration yet.⁷

What are the health benefits of miracle fruit?

Few studies were made on Miracle fruit regarding its effect on increasing the palatability of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and also in helping obese people to lose weight as it can decrease sugar intake.

What are the side effects of the miracle plant?

The taste-altering property of the miracle plant can cause an increase in the consumption of acidic food which can cause stomach irritation and tooth erosion. 

Why is it called a miracle fruit?

It was called miracle fruit because although it has no taste it makes sour food and beverages taste sweet

What is the english name for miracle fruit?

It is called red berry.

How long does the effect of miracle fruit last?

It lasts for an hour until the Miraculin protein (MCL) which is responsible for the taste-altering property is dissolved by saliva.

Which countries are miracle fruit native to?

West Africa and Central Africa are the countries to which the Miracle fruit is native. 

Is miracle fruit good for hair?

The Miracle fruit seed oils are used to prevent hair breakage and damage.

Can sugar patients eat Miracle fruit?

Miracle fruit is used in the treatment of diabetes as well as in prevention increasing insulin resistance and insulin synthesis. 

How to eat miracle fruit to experience the taste-altering sensation?

Since the miraculin protein responsible for the taste-altering property is found in the pulp, therefore, you can chew the pulp to experience the taste-altering sensation.

Does miracle fruit have a taste?

The fruit itself is tasteless but when sour food is consumed afterwards it can alter the sour taste into a sweet taste.

How long does the Miracle fruit take to work?

The miraculin in the Miracle fruit has a rapid onset its effect is noticeable within five minutes. 

Does miracle fruit cause allergy?

Although miraculin found in the Miracle fruit is a glycoprotein and glycoproteins are usually allergenic in the few studies that were made no allergic reaction was reported.¹²

Summary

To sum this up the miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) has an exceptional property in altering the taste of sour food and making it taste sweet. So that can help decrease sugar cravings and consumption which is not only beneficial for oral health but also in weight loss and prevention of diabetes. It also has antimicrobial activity against many oral pathogens causing the decrease of its activity which will lead to better oral health and decrease the chance of having cavities and tooth decay.

But also it has the adverse effect that it might lead to increased consumption of acidic food that can cause stomach irritation and adversely affect oral health causing mouth dryness and tooth erosion.