Pineapples are a controversial fruit.
Some people say that if you eat enough of it, your vagina will take on a fruity flavour (there is no scientific evidence to support this claim), while a well-known urban legend states that pineapple will give sperm a distinct piña colada tang.
It’s partially true; semen is naturally bitter, so eating a lot of pineapple (or other acidic fruits) could give it a somewhat sweeter flavour – but it will still very much taste like sperm.
The latest development in ‘pineapples: myth or fact?’ is the claim that it can bring on your period.
A woman recently announced in a private Facebook group that she had eaten an inordinate amount of the exotic fruit over several days and noticed her period came on earlier than usual.
She was ‘absolutely mystified’ by it – and she’s not the only one who is curious about the magical power of pineapples.
On the Q&A website, Quora, one woman said that she eats pineapple every month because she has ‘very irregular’ periods and the fruit helps regulate it.
Pineapples contain an enzyme called bromelain. The compound is used in medicine; it helps reduce swelling and can slow blood clotting, as well as increase red and white blood cells, thus improving blood flow.
With this in mind, it should technically be possible to bring on your period by eating pineapples. However while there is plenty of anecdotal evidence, there still isn’t much in the way of scientific proof.
It’s also claimed that you should consume pineapples during your period, as the bromelain – which is also used for muscle relaxation – acts as a natural remedy against cramps.
Another compound found in pineapples is manganese. A study was conducted with female participants by Dr. Phyllis Johnson at the Human Nutrition Research Center in the US, which revealed that small amounts of this mineral increased menstrual flow for 50% of the women, so munching on the fruit could help with discomfort.
And just think of all the pineapple-based cocktails you could comfort yourself with while you suffer through the monthly pain.
As for whether the fruit will bring on your period, the results are unfortunately inconclusive. It is feasible that pineapples could help with period flow, but more research is required in the area.
Not to worry, there are other ways to regulate your period – such as medication and birth control pills. If your period is very heavy, painful or causing you distress, chat to your GP who will be able to recommend alternative solutions.
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