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If you’ve been reading any infertility blogs, you’ve surely heard that eating the pineapple core can help with implantation. Heck, pineapples are a symbol of infertility these days! But what does the research say? So does pineapple really help with implantation?
The short answers:
—Medical research: No (or rather, who knows?)… because there have been NO MEDICAL STUDIES DONE ON PINEAPPLE CORE + FERTILITY (OR IMPLANTATION). In theory, this MIGHT help maintain blood flow (thereby increasing blood flow to the uterus). See below for more details about the theory behind why people recommend eating pineapple for fertility!
—My experience: Didn’t work (tried eating pineapple core for probably too many cycles!). That being said, the pineapple core isn’t as bad as I thought! (Just hard to chew!)
–How to do it: Again, there’s no data on this…so essentially people are guessing, but theoretically: Split a pineapple core into 4-6 wedges. Beginning the day after ovulation, eat one of the wedges until they’re gone. Ideally you would take it on an empty stomach to help reduce inflammation (that is how bromelain is directed to be taken for other inflammatory issues).
Continue reading below if you’re interested in finding out more details (the long answers)…
*Or, click here for more answers to your other TTC questions!
Now, for the long answers…
The medical research
–What’s the deal with pineapple? The key nutrient in pineapple is bromelain. It is found in the core of the pineapple (hence why fertility bloggers will tell you to eat the core).
–Again, there have been NO studies linking pineapple (or even bromelain) with fertility. Here are the results of some studies that HAVE been done regarding bromelain and OTHER diseases (there have been many; these are probably the most interesting):
–Bromelain supplements have been found to be effective in helping to treat some cardiovascular diseases because they act like aspirin, thinning the blood, maintaining blood flow + helping to prevent clots. This is according to the studies reported by Park.
–Blood flow to the uterus (specifically for implantation) is an important factor in conception (according to these studies by Sardana and Li and many more). Therefore, the idea is that because bromelain has been shown to help maintain blood flow, it will help the blood flow to the uterus. (Again, none of this has been studied.)
–In conclusion: Try the pineapple core just for fun if you like it…otherwise don’t force it down!
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