If you are on a fertility journey, you will have no doubt come across images of pineapples on social media and talk in forums about the benefit of eating a whole pineapple, core and all, when you are going through IVF.
What is this all about and is there any scientific truth in it? I spent an afternoon doing my research and this is what I found………
The pineapple has long been associated with fertility. The pine cone and pineapple symbolize fertility, mainly due to the fact that they are the ‘reproductive organs’ of their respective parent plants. The pineapple’s fertility symbolism featured large in the homes or art of kings. Pineapples later made the transition from fertility to affluence and power and then later still as a symbol of welcoming and hospitality.
More recently, pineapples have sored in popularity due to their perceived link in increasing fertility and in particular, successful implantation. Women going through IVF are often found to be eating a whole pineapple, including the core, on the day before and post-implantation. Not only that but IVF Babble have helped increase the popularity of the pineapple by using the symbol of two pineapples to show togetherness, support and friendship on an IVF journey. Who hasn’t seen their gorgeous little pins?
Pineapples are everywhere at the minute, on knitwear, mugs, bags and I have to confess I’m after a nice gold pineapple ornament for my new house! But the big question is, how does the pineapple scientifically support fertility?
The main ingredient of the pineapple is a substant called Bromelain. Bromelain is an enzyme, meaning it helps reactions take place in the body. When taken with food, bromelain helps us break down and digest our food. However for fertility there a possibly two main reasons how bromelain can help….
Bromelain is a blood thinner and anticoagulant.
Like aspirin, bromelain can increase blood flow to the uterus via its action as a blood thinner and anticoagulant. It is also thought that using a blood thinner like aspirin can help women who have had repeat miscarriages.
Bromelain acts as an anti-inflammatory.
Conception and implantation require an intricate shift in the immune system, specifically a shift from TH1 immune cells to TH2. It is possible that bromelain may help with this shift which allows implantation to occur.
So in essence, if you love pineapple, there is no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy it around implantation as that gorgeous looking fruit, might just do the trick!
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