Introduction

A “Miracle Fruit” is a taste-altering berry imparts a sweet perception to sour foods. In the 1700s, European explorers discovered the miracle fruit while travelling to West Africa. Initially, the miracle fruit was called a “ miraculous berry.” The natives of West Africa used to chew on this miraculous berry before consuming food to make sour, acidic food more pleasant. Miraculin is a glycoprotein (a protein with a carbohydrate group linked to the polypeptide chain). It has been identified as the miracle fruit’s most effective component, altering taste perception by attaching to sweet receptors on the tongue. 

Miraculin is the most well-known macromolecule capable of influencing taste perception.¹ The ripened fruit is red. The miracle berry is less prevalent than other berry fruits, including blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, and grapes.

The fruit is about the size of a coffee bean, measuring 2 cm long and 1 cm in diameter. It has a large seed surrounded by a transparent pulp covered by a thin skin. The sweetening effects are seen in the pulp. Fruits are often clustered at the terminals of the branches. Miracle fruit may be used raw or processed to make food, medication, and cosmetic additives.

The plant fruit has been referred to as the miracle fruit due to its taste-modifying properties, which allow sour food to taste pleasant after the mouth has been exposed to the fruits. Miraculin, a glycoprotein found in the fruit, has been attributed to this property. Miraculin binds to the tongue's sweet receptor cells, suppressing sour sensations from the brain.²

Miracle fruit is scientifically known as Synsepalum dulcificum. Miracle fruit has surprising effects on your skin health due to its antioxidant properties, hydration, anti-inflammatory effects, and collagen production, which will help brighten your skin, natural exfoliation and sun protection. 

Understanding miracle fruit

Description and origin 

The miracle fruit plant is native to tropical West Africa and is used to sweeten wine made from palms and other drinks. The miracle fruit plant grows as a thick shrub or small tree, rarely exceeding 5.5 meters in height in the wild and generally smaller when cultivated. The simple leaves are oval, tapering at the base, with smooth edges and a waxy underside; they form spirelike clusters at the terminals of short branches.

The small white flowers produce red drupe fruits around 2-3 cm (0.8 -1.2 inches) in length. Plants usually bear fruit after three to four years and need acidic soil. Miraculin, a glycoprotein discovered by Japanese researcher Kenzo Kurihara in 1968, is responsible for the miracle fruit flavor-altering process.

Although miraculin is not sweet, it attaches to the taste buds and makes acidic meals seem sweet. This effect typically lasts between half an hour and two hours, with the intensity decreasing with time. The fruit has been offered as a remedy for the taste alterations experienced by certain chemotherapy patients, but further research is required.³

Nutritional composition

• Flavanoids - 57.01%
• Tryptophan - 8.06%
• Histidine - 0.4%
• Isoleucine - 0.7%
• Leucine - 0.6%
• Lysine - 0.6%
• Methionine - 1.05%
• Phenylalanine - 0.7%
• Threonine - 1.1%
• Valine - 0.69%² 

Traditional and modern uses

Several studies have used miracle fruit to improve food palatability for chemotherapy-treated cancer patients. In addition to the miracle fruit’s unique ability to convert sour food taste into sweet food taste, its flavonoid components have received interest for their usage as beneficial colourants and flavourants in functional food applications.⁴

The mechanism of action 

A glycoprotein called miraculin is considered to be a potent component of miracle fruit that is responsible for altering taste perception by binding to the sweet receptors that are present in the tongue. The exact mechanism of action of miraculin is not well known. Based on a theoretical model, which suggests that miraculin is directly attached to the taste receptor T1R2 - T1R3 extracellularly that are present in taste buds.

The activation of this receptor by miraculin in the presence of an acid, and due to this taste of sour food, would be perceived as sweet. This receptor would undergo a structural change in the presence of a proton, which is a positively charged hydrogen atom in an acid-base reaction.

As a result, the carbohydrate part of the miraculin molecule attaches directly to the sweet receptor, which causes the human sweet taste receptor cells to be activated. Simply put, when an individual eats a miracle fruit and then eats sour food, the person’s sour taste receptors are activated. Still, the individual does not get the sour taste but instead perceives the sourness as sweetness.¹

Skin health benefits

Antioxidant properties

Antioxidants such as polyphenols and flavonoids are present in miracle fruit. These antioxidants help combat oxidative stress in the body. When miracle fruits are applied topically, the antioxidants neutralise the free radicals that contribute to ageing. Miracle fruit promotes healthier and more youthful-looking skin.

Anti-inflammatory effects

Several studies have indicated that miracle fruit extracts contain anti-inflammatory properties. Miracle fruit may reduce inflammation, which can help skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

Moisturising and hydrating qualities

Miracle fruits contain natural sugars and water. When applied directly to the skin, these components help with hydration. Proper hydration is necessary for maintaining skin elasticity, smoothness, and overall health. 

Collagen production 

Some compounds that are found in miracle fruits may stimulate the production of collagen in the skin. The structure and elasticity of your skin are provided by a protein called collagen. So, the production of collagen by miracle fruit would help to improve skin firmness and decrease wrinkles and fine lines from appearing.

Brightening and even skin tone

The antioxidants present in miracle fruit could help fade dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. As a result, the skin will become brighter and more radiant over time.

Natural exfoliation

Certain enzymes are present in miracle fruit that would gently exfoliate your skin by removing dead skin cells and cell turnover would be promoted. As a result, your skin will appear smoother and soft and these enzymes could prevent pores that are clogged and acne breakouts.

Sun protection 

The antioxidants present in miracle fruits offer protection against UV-induced skin damage. Incorporating products that contain miracle fruit into your skincare routine may provide an additional layer of defence against sun-related ageing and skin cancer.

FAQs

Is miracle fruit good for the skin?

Miracle fruit can nourish and protect your skin from the inside out and reduce signs of ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet.

What are the disadvantages of miracle fruit?

Miracle fruit could disturb the pH balance and create a high amount of acidity in the blood. 

What is special about this miracle fruit?

Miracle fruit has a chemical that stimulates taste receptors on the tongue. This substance causes the tongue to perceive sour sensations as pleasant ones. Miracle fruit may also include compounds that may reduce blood sugar levels. 

What is the secret of miracle fruit?

Miracle fruit is native to Africa, including Ghana, Benin, and Nigeria. The berry includes a glycoprotein (miraculin) that adheres to your tongue and essentially activates your sweet receptors in response to acids instead of sugar.

Summary

The miracle fruit is native to tropical West Africa. Miraculin, a glycoprotein discovered by Japanese researcher, Kenzo Kurihara in 1968, is responsible for the miracle fruit flavor-altering process. Although miraculin is not sweet, it attaches to the taste buds and makes acidic meals seem sweet. This effect normally lasts between a half hour and two hours, with the intensity decreasing with time.

The fruit has been offered as a remedy for the taste alterations experienced by certain chemotherapy patients, but further research is required. The nutritional composition of miracle fruit includes flavonoids, Tryptophan, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, and Valine. 

Miracle fruit has various benefits on your skin due to its antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory properties, moisturizing and hydrating qualities, collagen production, brightening and even skin tone, natural exfoliation, and sun protection.