Can eating pineapple help you conceive?

That said, some women – including a few of our own forum mums – say it helped them, so there’s no harm in adding a bit of pineapple to your own diet and seeing what happens.

How could pineapple help conception?

Pineapple, in addition to being delicious and full of goodness, contains an enzyme called bromelain.

Bromelain is often thought of as a natural anti-inflammatory, and it is widely assumed and reported across the internet that this can help an embryo implant in the woman’s uterine lining.

So, the theory goes: eat lots of pineapple for a couple of days, a few days after you’ve ovulated, and you’ll be encouraging implantation.

What the experts say

BDA Spokesperson and Specialist Dietician Nicole Rothband says pineapple DOES contain bromelain, and HAS been linked to anti-inflammation - but there’s no conclusive evidence to suggest it helps with implantation.

“Pineapple is rich in fibre and bromelain but I found this to be linked to anti-inflammatory properties and benefits to blood and heart health,” she tells MFM.

“As a dietician, I am not an advocate of hero foods or single nutrients. It is much more important to emphasise following a generally healthy diet (as per department of health guidelines) and lifestyle.

“Not smoking or drinking alcohol, taking regular physical activity, getting enough sleep and avoiding excessive stress is much more likely to improve fertility.”

Komal Kumar, Senior Dietician at the Lister Fertility Clinic, part of HCA Healthcare UK, pretty much agrees with Nicole, too:

“Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples, which is known to have anti-inflammatory benefits. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the link between pineapples and increasing the chances of ovulation or implantation.

"Nevertheless, pineapples are a great choice of fruit to be included in 1 of your 5-a-day as they are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory factors and high in vitamin C.”

Are there other possible fertility benefits from eating pineapple?

All that said, you can still try out the pineapple theory if you want.

There’s no guarantee it’ll make any difference, but it is totally fine to eat a standard (non-obsessive!) portion of pineapple just to give it a go.

Also, we should mention again that eating healthy foods as part of a balanced diet is generally good for your body. The better condition your body’s in, the better your chances of conceiving.

Our MFM mums' experience

Tiffany, a member of our MadeForMums community says she ate pineapple and then became pregnant. Unfortunately, her pregnancy was a chemical pregnancy.

And another member, J Lisa, also ate pineapple for 5 days after she’d ovulated, and found she was pregnant, too!

"I ate pineapple for 5 days after ovulation and Brazil nuts for 10 days after ovulation (usually about 6 a day)," she writes. "And for reassurance, I didn't have any pregnancy symptoms until about 6 weeks..."

As for the Brazil nuts theory? Well, that’s a whole other article…

Images: Getty Images

Read more:

• Will eating Brazil nuts help your conceive?
• 20 ways to boost your chances of getting pregnant
• Pregnancy-friendly foods to add to your diet