If you're having trouble getting pregnant, you're probably willing to try just about
anything to increase your chance of success.
A rumour that I see popping up often on fertility forums says that drinking pineapple juice
can increase can boost chances of embryo implantation.
Yes, you heard that right - the humble pineapple is a fertility booster apparently!
Is this an urban myth or credible science?
Well, today I'm going to get to the core of the pineapple and fertility story and tell
you which one it is so stay tuned!
Have you heard the one about the humble pineapples helping you become pregnant on IVF?
Well, if you delve into any of the popular fertility blogs, talk to other women going
through IVF or even do a search of good old Dr Google, you'll probably come across pineapples
being promoted as an A-grade diet pregnancy hack.
The advice is framed along these lines: if you eat a whole pineapple, including the core,
before and after the day of implantation then the chance of a successful implantation goes
up.
So the big, big question is: does it work?!
To explore this a bit further, I went in search of credible scientific research to back up
the claims.
And my long and careful search on the mystical properties of the pineapple fruit proved to
be...fruitless.
Unfortunately, there is zero scientific evidence to show that pineapples help with embryo implantation
during IVF.
So is it a case of 'case closed'?
Well not completely.
Just because there isn't any research to show it works, it is also true that there are no
clinical trials to show that it doesn't work.
Maybe a bit of funding is needed by 'Big Pineapple' to push researchers along to study it a bit closer
But when I look at the theory for why pineapples could help, I think it is a long-shot that
eating pineapples will make much of a difference.
So why has the Internet gone gaga for pineapples?
Like any potential myth, there is an element of truth to it.
It is possible, maybe, that pineapples could help with embryo implantation.
And if they do, it comes down to a special nutrient found in pineapples called bromelain.
Never heard about bromelain before?
That's probably not surprising.
Bromelain is an enzyme found naturally in pineapples.
You'll find the most concentrated source of bromelain in the core of the pineapple which
is why advice is to be eating the core, rather than just drinking the juice or eating the
fleshy outer fruit.
The interest in bromelain comes from its potential to reduce inflammation in the body, including
in the uterus.
It is also a mild blood thinner which some believe can aid in implantation.
On a bit of a side note, many doctors prescribe baby aspirin to women to help with implantation
because it is also a blood thinner, but here the dose used is very controlled.
But from that connection, you can see why pineapples have attracted interest.
Conception and implantation require an intricate shift in our immune system to a less inflammatory
state.
So it is possible that bromelain helps with this shift which allows implantation to occur,
but again this is just pretty much speculation at this stage.
Putting embryo implantation to the side, what else could bromelain be good for?
Bromelain has a long history of use in folk medicine use so it was known about well before
the Internet came along.
I was surprised to learn that bromelain is used as a culinary ingredient as it makes
for a greater meat tenderiser.
And following on from that use, bromelain is actually an approved treatment to help
remove dead skin of severe burn wounds.
Doesn't sound pleasant does it, but bromelain will do the job nicely!
There is some interest in bromelain for medical use in inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis
or in cardiovascular disease, but the evidence for a benefit is very mixed.
So you can see why joining some of these dots together you could come up with the idea that
it can help with embryo implantation.
But those dots are small and a long way apart in my eyes.
But if you enjoy eating pineapples, then keep on eating them as they can be a part of a
healthy diet for a woman undergoing IVF.
But if you are eating them for any potential bromelain benefit, then you have to include
the core, drinking the juice won't cut it.
Oh, and the pineapple needs to be fresh and uncooked - canned pineapple has no bromelain
in it as it is destroyed from the heat in the canning process.
Don't get too carried away with your pineapple eating because it is thought that large doses
of bromelain can cause uterine contractions and interfere with implantation of an embryo.
So definitely stay away from bromelain supplements.
If you are taking baby aspirin which is a blood thinner, be aware that extra bromelain
can add to the blood thinning effect so definitely speak to your treating doctor about this.
OK, so I've given you a a lot of information today.
So, let's summarise:
When trying to get pregnant, it's best not to focus on one aspect such as a miracle pregnancy
superfood such as pineapples to the exclusion of others
No clinical studies have shown that pineapples have any benefit on the uterine lining
An adequate uterine lining is important for embryo implantation, but many other factors
also contribute to pregnancy
The bromelain in pineapple can have both potentially helpful and harmful effects on pregnancy so
don't go overboard on it
And finally don't take bromelain supplements unless your doctor recommends it.
Now, I'm sure that you'll have loads of questions, so feel free to post them in the comments
below.
And, to make all this easier for you, I'd love you to download my free meal plan.
Just go to www.melaniemcgrice.com/fertility.
I look forward to catching up with you next week on Nourish!