A common misconception is that pineapples contain microscopic needles, known as bromelain. Bromelain is actually an enzyme found in the juice and stems of pineapples, not the flesh. It is used in medicine and dietary supplements for its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties. The idea of pineapples containing needles may have originated from the sensation of tingling or irritation some people experience after eating the fruit, which is actually a result of the bromelain enzyme breaking down proteins in the mouth. This misconception is dispelled by understanding that bromelain is not physically present in the flesh of the fruit and cannot be felt as tiny needles. Therefore, it is important to differentiate between fact and fiction when it comes to the composition of pineapples and the effects of the bromelain enzyme.