Is It Safe To Have Pineapple During Pregnancy?

5 min read

Written by Editorial Team

Editorial Team

Expectant mothers have many things that might stress them out and what to eat and not to eat is a huge consideration. Eating the right food during pregnancy is the most confusing subject for most pregnant women. All the well meaning suggestions–from friends, family and strangers take eating right to a new level. Especially in India the diet of pregnant women is swayed by various cultural and religious beliefs like concept of “hot” and “cold” foods. Usually during pregnancy “hot” foods are forbidden for expectant mothers, they are advised to stay away from them. However, most of the food items and suggestions regarding the prohibited food are quite reasonable, but it never hurts to re -check the reliability by good research as what you eat affects your baby too!
Pineapple in pregnancy
Papaya during pregnancy is one such highly debated topic. Perhaps you must have heard one more such popular advice – to stay away from pineapple (anannas or अन्नानास) while you are pregnant. So does it confuse you that eating pineapple during pregnancy falls under the safe or unsafe food category? Below are some well researched points to help you out from any developing confusion.

  • Is It Safe To Eat Pineapple During Pregnancy?
  • What Are The Benefits Of Eating Pineapple In Pregnancy?
  • Can I Have Pineapple Juice During Pregnancy?
  • Can Pineapple Cause Miscarriage During Pregnancy?
  • When Should Pineapple Be Avoided In Pregnancy?
  • FAQ’s

Is It Safe To Eat Pineapple During Pregnancy?

Yes, it’s is safe to eat pineapple (anannas or अन्नानास) during pregnancy but you must understand that overdoing or overeating anything while you are pregnant will never yield a positive result. So try to eat pineapple in moderate amounts. Eating one pineapple or having one or two glass of fresh pineapple juice in a week is considered typically safe during pregnancy.

What Are The Benefits Of Eating Pineapple In Pregnancy?

Pineapple comes with low saturated fats and contains a lot of fiber, making it high in nutritional value. Below listed points will help you understand the benefits of pineapple for expectant mothers:

  1. Pineapples are a rich source of vitamin C –water soluble antioxidants that battle against the cell impairment inside our body. They work as immunity boosters in expectant mothers
  2. Presence of the mineral manganese in pineapples ensure strong and healthy bones in women, it is helpful from saving them from osteoporosis. It helps in creating the essential enzymes for building bones
  3. Pineapple fruit is particularly high in vitamin B1 (thiamine) which plays a very important role for a healthy nervous system and muscle function
  4. They are also a good source of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) responsible for producing energy, making antibodies and are essential for normal red blood cell formation. A deficiency of vitamin B6 can also cause anemia and pineapple can help contain that. Some women also find it effective for morning sickness
  5. Copper a trace mineral is also found in pineapple which is especially important in pregnancy as it helps in forming red blood cell and your baby’s heart. There are few researches which support that copper is equally important as folic acid for your unborn child during pregnancy

Pineapple juice in pregnancy

Can I Have Pineapple Juice During Pregnancy?

Pineapple juice can be a wonderful addition to your pregnancy diet. As listed above, the fruit contains many essential vitamins and minerals, and good amounts of fiber. They can help in healthy development and growth of the baby and ease out constipation as well during pregnancy. Though pineapple juice was used to induce labor contractions or miscarriage, but for such an effect, you would have to consume very large quantities of the fruit. However, drugs.com states that fresh juice from unripe pineapple can have a laxative-like affect and it generally avoided by pregnancy women.

Can Pineapple Cause Miscarriage During Pregnancy?

You might have heard that consumption of pineapple during pregnancy can cause miscarriage. However, pineapple in reasonable amounts can actually help you provide essential nutrients and vitamins to you and your growing baby. A rapid search on internet will explain you how often pineapple is questioned about its safety during pregnancy. You will find many results which narrates the dangers of pineapple. The consumption of pineapple is considered risky by many women during pregnancy because of a compound bromelain. Bromelain is a combination of enzymes –which, when consumed in large doses can cause uterine contractions and due it’s this property pineapple is considered unsafe to eat while you are pregnant. Eating in too much bromelain can also result in vomiting, diarrhea and skin rashes in pregnant women.
One more important aspect regarding Bromelain enzymes is that – they are demolished by heating, so eating cooked and canned pineapple can be quite safe during pregnancy as they do not contain Bromelain.

When Should Pineapple Be Avoided In Pregnancy?

Though considered largely safe, however, pineapple can be unsafe in pregnancy in the scenarios listed below:

  • If you have gestational diabetes than pineapple is not the correct fruit for you as it contains high levels of natural sugars. So it must be avoided by those pregnant women who have gestational diabetes
  • Eating too much of the pineapple can also cause swelling or tenderness on the lips, inner cheeks and tongue. However, this tenderness will eventually fade after few hours
  • You are already overweight or have gained too much weight during pregnancy – since the pineapple is high in calories it can make you gain more weight

The key factor to enjoy eating pineapple during pregnancy is –consuming it in moderate amounts. If you will eat this fruit in moderation its rich nutrients will assist both you and your developing baby in a very positive way and you also won’t have to worry about its health risk on your pregnancy. Consuming reasonable amounts of pineapple fruit is unlikely cause you any problem, however it will supply you a few key nutrients essential during pregnancy.
Are mangoes safe during pregnancy? Find out here.

FAQ’s

1. Can I Eat Fresh Pineapple When Pregnant?

Yes, you can. Pineapples are very nutritious. Moderate intake will not hurt you.

2. Can Pineapple Cause Pre Term Labor?

If you over consume pineapples, it can. It generates a lot of heat in the body. This is why many it is advised to avoid pineapple in the first trimester.

3. Can I Drink Pineapple Juice, When Pregnant?

Yes, you can. Consume in moderate amounts. If you have gestational diabetes, you may want to consult your doctor first.

4. Will Eating Pineapple in My Last Trimester Induce Labor?

No, it cannot. Not unless you are going to eat about 8 pineapples. Just a piece or two will cause no harm.

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Editorial Team,

With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.Read more.

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