CONTROVERSY: Does Pineapple cause Miscarriage during pregnancy?
As a doctor, whenever i an seeing pregnant women who came in for their routine antenatal visits; the question which has now turned a controvesy in the field science props up. They will say “ehnnn doctor, is pineapple good for pregnancy because i heard or read somewhere that it causes miscarriage especially in the first trimester”.
Others will say they where told by their mothers, friends, sisters and mother-in-inlaw to run away from eating pineapple during pregnancy beacause apart from causing abortion (miscarriage), it can also make the baby develop a congenital birth defect…
But how true is this? Does pineaple really cause miscarriage?
ANSWER: Yes and No. Yes, because it is on record that some women close to delivery, use pineapple to induce labour. No,because pineapple causing miscarriage may at best be a pregnancy myth but wait, there are no researches to confirm or disprove it.
However, a enzyme called bromelain found in pineapple has be shown to be capable of causing bleeding per vagina during pregancy, uterine contractions and abortion…
The controversy now is whether bromelain the quantity found in pineapple is large enough to cause a miscarriage.
Two reputable Health Websites: FIRSTCRY PARENTING AND HEALTHLINE CLEARLY DISAGREES ON THE EFFECT OF PINEAPPLE ON PREGNANCY.
FIRSTCRY PARENTING LISTED PINEAPPLE AS ONE KF THE 22 FOODS THAT CAUSES MISCARRIAGE
THEY WROTE:
“Pineapple contains bromelain, which softens the cervix and starts untimely labour contractions, resulting in a miscarriage. Pregnant women can take moderate amounts of pineapples during the early stages of pregnancy. When pineapple is consumed in heavy amounts (7 to 10 whole fruits), it might cause bleeding. Remember to consult your medical practitioner for more queries.”
HEALTHLINE FEELS THE QUANTITY OF BROMELAIN IN PINEAPPLE IS TOO SMALL TO CAUSE MAJOR EVENT IN PREGNANCY….THE ONLINE HEALTH GIANT ARE ENCOURAGING PREGNANT WOMEN TO CONSUME PINEAPPLE.
I CULLED THIS FROM HEALTHLINE:
“Pineapple is a safe, healthy choice during pregnancy. Someone might have told you to avoid this fruit because it may cause early miscarriage or bring on labor. However, this is just a myth.
There’s no scientific evidence to support that pineapple is dangerous during pregnancy. The rumors about pineapple are purely anecdotal.”
“Pineapple contains bromelain, a type of enzyme.
Bromelain tablets aren’t recommended for use during pregnancy. They can break down proteins in the body and lead to abnormal bleeding.
Although bromelain is found in the core of the pineapple, very little is actually in the flesh of the pineapple which is what we eat. The amount of bromelain in a single serving of pineapple isn’t likely to impact your pregnancy.
The bottom line: Normal intake of this fruit is unlikely to adversely affect your pregnancy.”
MY VERDICT: Personally, i don’t like health controversies especially when it is related to pregnancy….i am not on any side here. Whenever i see a drug, fruit or food being debated whether it is safe in pregnancy or not especially by reputable scientific authorities, i usually advise my patients to avoid such drug, food, or fruit to be on a safe side until a unanimous scientific proof is put forward. There are always alternatives. Discuss with your doctor about this.
Thank you for reading.
Featured Image: Freepic
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