Is it true that drinking soda and eating pineapple while pregnant cause a miscarriage?

There is a myth that states that drinking soda and eating pineapple while pregnant can cause women to have miscarriages. This myth is believed enough to make many pregnant women avoid consuming both. In fact, there are people who deliberately want to abort their womb by consuming both. So, what is the medical truth like?

Can you drink soda and eat pineapple while pregnant?

In fact, both pineapple and soda are alike safe to consume during pregnancy. However, what really needs to be considered is the portion. As long as it is not excessive, pineapple and soda can still be consumed without causing side effects, for both the mother and the fetus. New problems will arise if the mother eats too large a portion.

Pineapple contains a compound called bromelain. Bromelain is an enzyme that works by breaking down protein in the body. Because the newly grown fetus contains simple protein cells, the bromelain content in pineapples is thought to cause bleeding and miscarriage.

This assumption is not completely wrong. The reason is, bromelain tablets are not recommended to be taken during pregnancy because they can break down protein in the body and cause bleeding.

However, it should be underlined that one to two servings of pineapple a week will not adversely affect your pregnancy. Unless you consume 7 to 10 fresh pineapples at once.

Likewise with soda, there is no research that proves that soda can cause miscarriage. However, that does not mean you are free to consume soda as you please while pregnant. Soda contains artificial sweeteners such as aspartame which can adversely affect fetal growth and development. In addition, soda also contains various substances that can have a negative impact on the fetus, such as caffeine, carbonic acid, and other additives.

According to dr. David Elmer, a gynecologist at Nantucket Cottage Hospital in Massachusetts, United States, aspartame can cause birth defects. However, this only happens if you consume too much. Therefore, Elmer stated that you can still drink soda occasionally because it will not have a bad effect on fetal growth and development.

Thus, it can be concluded that drinking soda and eating pineapple while pregnant at the same time do not cause miscarriage. Especially if you eat it occasionally and in portions that are not too much.

A safe guide to drinking soda and eating pineapple while pregnant

Pineapple contains vitamin C, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper and vitamin B6. All these substances are needed by the body to support the health of the mother and fetus. Therefore, do not be afraid to eat pineapple while pregnant as long as it is not excessive.

In order to avoid the effects that may occur, in the first trimester you should limit the amount of pineapple eaten. Although it is not dangerous, it is better to prevent it by not consuming it at all in this first trimester.

Furthermore, in the second trimester you can begin to consume as much as 50 to 100 grams in two to three times a week. While in the third trimester you can eat 250 grams of pineapple at a time, but still don't overdo it. Limit portions as this can trigger uterine contractions.

For soda, you shouldn't drink more than one can per day. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises pregnant women not to drink caffeine more than 200 mg per day. The less amount of caffeine consumed, the better it is for the health of the mother and the fetus.