To confirm whether or not eating a spicy curry can help bring on the royal baby, Deliveroo nutritionist Olivia Bates debunks some popular pregnancy old wives tales.
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Pineapple
“The potential role of pineapple in reducing the duration of labour is due to the enzyme bromelain, which is thought to act as a prostaglandin… which act in the contraction and relaxation of smooth muscles. This explains how bromelain acts to help soften the cervix,” says Olivia.
“With Meghan so close to labour, consuming pineapple may assist in giving the so-called ‘last push’ to women on the verge of active labour. It’s also thought to reduce the duration of labour.”
A spicy curry
“Spicy foods have been scientifically shown to temporarily speed up metabolism. If Meghan were to indulge in spicy food prior to labour, it would irritate the nerves in her intestines which speeds up wave-like movements, or peristalsis, propelling the food through the digestive system. It is thought that this mechanism of speeding up digestion may play a role in inducing labour. An extra hot vindaloo should do the trick!” says Olivia
Ginger and pepper
“Capsaicin, the compound responsible for the kick in chilli powder and cayenne pepper have been shown to have the greatest impact on metabolism, with black pepper and ginger also having similar effects in stimulating digestion and therefore potentially stimulating labour.”
A Chinese takeout with a hefty dose of ginger could set things in motion. “There is no scientific evidence to support that any specific foods bring on labour. In saying that, as the weeks tick past due date there is no harm in giving these popular options a try,” says Olivia.