Is Pineapple Safe During Pregnancy?

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Pineapple is one of those words (or fruits) that makes a pregnant woman’s ears perk up. There are so many conflicting opinions that even a quick ‘is pineapple safe during pregnancy’ search on Dr. Google doesn’t quite help.  Let’s try to answer this question today!

Is pineapple safe in pregnancy?

Yup…mostly!

So why do people worry pineapple is unsafe?

Because of the naturally occurring enzyme Bromelain, which is found in pineapple juice and the pineapple stem/core. This Bromelain is often used for treating swelling/inflammation (especially of the nose and sinuses) as well as relaxing muscles. It is that last part that we are especially cautious about, no one wants the cervical muscles of a pregnant woman to relax (contractions) before it’s time!

Yikes, that sounds bad!

It does, but it is important to remember that medicinal uses of Bromelian would be in very high doses or packaged in capsule form. For the average pregnant woman, including pineapple as part of a healthy pregnancy diet would be considered safe.

Don’t worry, we have the coles notes:

Health Effect of Pineapple During Pregnancy with Unripe Pineapple & Unripe Pineapple Juice up to the dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight neither affected number and weight of foetus, number of implantation sites nor induces pre- or post-implantation losses, fetal death and vaginal bleeding in pregnant Wistar rats (Yakubu MT, 2011).

Pineapple Leaf Extract of pineapple leaves in up to 2000 mg/kg body weight with dose administered during the organogenesis period gestation has no affect on female fertility, maternal weight gain and fetal growth and development (Hu J, 2011).

Of course we always recommend you talk with your health care provider, especially if you are worried or have a history of miscarriage.

Why bother eating pineapple?

Remember when we mentioned the anti-inflammatory properties of pineapple? Well there is that, plus it helps relieve gas and bloating; three very common pregnancy discomforts.

Another common pregnancy discomfort? Heartburn & inflammation (there’s that word again!). Pineapple is also a natural digestive aid, helping to breakdown acid in the stomach. Bananas and avocados also contain digestive enzymes. Plus there is tons of vitamin C in pineapple!

Anyone care for a pineapple, avocado and banana fruit salad?