Is That Safe? Eating Pineapple During Pregnancy

Hey mamas, we had a couple of people reach out to us wondering if they could eat pineapple during pregnancy! So we’re back with another installment of our Is That Safe series to answer: Is it safe to eat pineapple during pregnancy?

Did you know?

Pineapples regenerate! You can plant pineapple leaves to grow a new plant.

Is it safe to eat pineapple during pregnancy? 

Good news, if you’re craving a virgin piña colada, then you can go right ahead.

Pineapple is safe for healthy adults to eat, including pregnant women. You may have heard that eating pineapple can bring on contractions and labor, but there’s no scientific evidence that supports this.

Why do people think that eating pineapple during pregnancy can induce labor?

One of the main concerns about eating pineapple during pregnancy revolves around bromelain. This enzyme has been associated with softening the cervix and stimulating uterine contractions — in other words, it’s been said that eating pineapple can induce labor. But what does the research actually say?

A 2016 study showed that pineapple extract caused uterine contractions in uterine tissue isolated from pregnant rats and pregnant women. However, the pineapple extract was applied directly to the uterus, rather than consumed by mouth. The report concluded that there was limited evidence and more research was needed.

Are there any benefits of eating pineapple during pregnancy? 

Pineapple has so many nutritional benefits, like any fruit! Pineapple is a rich source of so many essential pregnancy nutrients. In fact, one cup of pineapple can contain nearly 100% of a pregnant woman’s daily recommended vitamin C!

Pineapple is also a good source of:

• Folate

• Iron

• Magnesium

• Manganese

• Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine)

If you want a delicious pineapple recipe to get your daily fix, check out our virgin piña colada recipe in the Baby2Body app.

What do you want to see next in our Is That Safe series? Let us know in the comments!

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