Is It Safe To Eat Pineapple During Pregnancy?
There are many myths about what women can and can't eat during pregnancy. A category of these myths are foods that may induce early labor. Many women become tired of being pregnant and try to start labor a couple of weeks early. Some of these foods include spicy food, dates, eggplants, and even cupcakes, according to Healthline.
One of the most popular myths that you may have heard from a family member is that eating a large amount of pineapple will induce labor. This may lead pregnant women to believe that pineapple is unsafe to eat, but that's simply not true.
Pineapple is not only safe to eat, but provides many nutrients that can benefit the mother and the unborn child, explains WebMD. It has antioxidants that may reduce inflammation, as well as folate, a nutrient recommended by health professionals to help support a baby's health.
But while it may provide important nutrients, is there any truth to it inducing labor?
There is no proof that pineapple induces labor
When a woman is 40 weeks pregnant, it's no surprise that she may want nothing more than to induce labor and stop being pregnant. Eating a large amount of pineapple seems like an easy way to see her child sooner. However, there is no convincing evidence to suggest that pineapple actually induces labor. Almost all of the evidence that has promulgated this myth is anecdotal and coincidental.
The main reason this myth has become so prominent is that pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that bromelain causes uterine contractions, but research has only tested this on animals, not human beings. Even in animal research, bromelain must be applied directly to the uterus and it only causes contractions, not actual labor, explains WebMD.
Finally, there isn't much bromelain in pineapple anyway. It's primarily in the core of the pineapple rather than the part humans eat, according to Healthline.
For some people, eating too much pineapple might lead to heartburn, acid reflux, cramping, or diarrhea, according to WebMD. However, eating pineapple in moderation is a safe and healthy way to boost your fruit intake during pregnancy.