You don’t have to look far to notice that at some point the image of a pineapple became the unofficial symbol for the trying to conceive (TTC) or struggling to conceive community. There is no end to Etsy sellers offering pineapple jewelry, clothing, bags, pins, journals, and socks (my lucky transfer socks had pineapples).
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The icon being a favorite of mine I’ve used it in some of my graphics and on social media. Recently, a friend asked me what the connection was. Why a pineapple? which has been more commonly a symbol for welcome or hospitality? I didn’t know for sure, so the question inspired me to take a look and find out for myself and I was surprised by what I learned… no one really knows. There are, however, a few theories:
Bromelain (#IYKYK) – Pineapples contain bromelain, an enzyme with some benefits including reducing inflammation and blood thinning that are thought to aid in fertility. If you have spent time on any online TTC or fertility board you have, for sure, found women sharing that eating pineapple, particularly the core where the bromelain is most concentrated, right after ovulation or an embryo transfer is one way to increase your chance of success. There are no scientific studies to confirm that eating pineapple will help you conceive, but it has become a popular fertility strategy and could certainly have contributed to the fruit becoming a popular symbol for the those trying to get pregnant.
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Pineapples need intervention to reproduce – I actually stumbled upon this fact and then had to do a lot of digging to learn more. Pineapples are not able to be fertilized with their own pollen. Pineapples themselves need intervention to reproduce and the pineapples we buy at our local store are a hybrid since they don’t produce seeds. Given that this fact isn’t quite as common knowledge, it’s likely not why pineapples have become our icon, but it does makes me appreciate the pineapple as our “food mascot” even more.
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Wear a crown – What is likely the best theory to pineapples becoming the icon of fertility is their stature. You have seen the memes that read: Be like a pineapple, stand tall, be sweet and wear a crown. For women who long for a baby, this could be their mantra. Standing proud with a tough and resilient exterior, but on the inside full of the sweetness of hope and potential. Finally, the crown she deserves for all she willing to sacrifice and fight for in order to have the family she has always dreamed of.
Do you have a theory on why the pineapple is the symbol for the TTC community? I’d love to hear it!