Is it okay for pregnant women to eat pineapple?

I'm pregnant with my first child and I enjoy eating fruits, including pineapple, to boost my health.

However, many people say pregnant women shouldn't eat pineapple because it can cause miscarriage. Could you please advise, doctor? (Thao Phuong, Binh Duong )

Reply:

Pineapple is a popular tropical fruit with a tangy initial taste and a subtly sweet aftertaste. It's easy to prepare and versatile, used in a wide range of dishes, from desserts and main courses to juices and cocktails.

Pineapple has a fairly diverse nutritional composition. On average, 100g of pineapple contains 86g of water, 11.4g of sugar, 1.4g of fiber, 0.5g of protein, 0.1g of fat, and provides the body with 60 calories.

Pineapples contain a large amount of vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, B4 (choline), B9 (folate), and minerals such as copper, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. In particular, this fruit also contains bromelain – an enzyme that effectively breaks down protein, aids digestion, and prevents bloating and indigestion during pregnancy.

Regarding your question, pregnant women can eat pineapple, but they need to eat it correctly, peel off the core, and not eat more than 220g of pineapple per day, and not eat pineapple continuously for many days. Pregnant women should also limit pineapple consumption during the first three months of pregnancy.

The reason is that consuming more than 25g of sugar a day (i.e., over 220g of pineapple) easily increases the risk of overweight, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure in pregnant women. Continuous pineapple consumption can also cause uterine contractions (uterine involution) in pregnant women, thereby increasing the risk of premature birth and miscarriage, especially in the first three months of pregnancy. The main substance responsible for uterine contractions is bromelain – an enzyme found abundantly in the core of the pineapple. Therefore, when eating pineapple, pregnant women should peel off the core to ensure their health and safety.

During the second and third trimesters, mothers can eat pineapple in moderation (less than 220g per day), eating it properly (removing the core) and only 1-2 times per week.

Eating pineapple in moderation can offer many health benefits for pregnant women, such as fighting inflammation, preventing blood clots, boosting immunity, promoting wound healing, and improving digestion. However, each pregnant woman has her own unique health conditions, medical history, and fetal characteristics, so mothers should consult a nutritionist and have their micronutrient levels tested to determine the most appropriate diet.

Master's degree holder, Doctor Nguyen Anh Duy Tung
Nutrihome Nutrition Clinic System

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