A placenta smoothie is a drink made by blending a woman’s placenta with other ingredients into a smoothie-like consistency after giving birth. The placenta is the organ that develops during pregnancy to provide oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby. After childbirth, some women choose to ingest their placentas through practices like smoothies or encapsulation due to purported health benefits. However, research on efficacy and safety is limited.
Why Do Some Women Drink Placenta Smoothies?
There are several reasons why some women choose to drink placenta smoothies after giving birth:
- Belief it will balance hormones and reduce postpartum mood disorders like depression or anxiety
- Thought to increase milk supply while breastfeeding
- May reduce postpartum bleeding and increase iron levels
- Purported to provide pain relief
- Some feel it provides an energy boost
- May help the uterus return to normal size faster
However, it’s important to note that there is limited scientific research to back up these purported benefits. The existing studies have not been robust enough to support conclusive claims.
How Are Placenta Smoothies Made?
After childbirth, the placenta is collected and then prepared in some way for consumption. To make a placenta smoothie, the placenta is usually steamed and dehydrated first. Then, small pieces are broken off and blended with ingredients like fruit, greens, or juice to make a smoothie.
Here are some general steps for preparing placenta for smoothies:
- Shortly after delivery, collect the placenta and put on ice
- Thoroughly rinse the placenta under cold water
- Steam the placenta, usually for about 10-15 minutes
- Allow placenta to cool and then dehydrate it overnight in a dehydrator or oven on low heat
- Cut the dehydrated placenta into small pieces
- Place placenta pieces into a blender along with desired ingredients like fruit, greens, milk, juice, etc.
- Blend on high until it reaches a smoothie-like consistency
- Pour smoothie into a glass and drink immediately, often over ice
This preparation process is thought to help make the placenta more palatable and reduce any risk of bacterial contamination. However, food safety practices should still be followed meticulously.
Are Placenta Smoothies Safe?
There are some concerns around the safety of consuming placenta smoothies due to risks like:
- Bacterial infection if preparation and handling is not done properly
- Viral transmission if mother had an infection during pregnancy
- Hormonal effects that may impact milk supply, hormones, and more
- Accumulation of environmental toxins
- Interaction with medications if mother is breastfeeding
However, there are no documented cases of harm from placenta smoothies when prepared properly. The CDC says any risk of bacteria is likely low if handled with adequate precautions.
To maximize safety, it’s important to follow good food handling practices. Tips include:
- Work with experienced specialists for preparation
- Ensure the workspace and tools are disinfected
- Rinse placenta thoroughly
- Use appropriate temperatures for steaming and dehydrating
- Wear gloves when handling
- Store properly between preparing and blending smoothie
Talk to your doctor about your health history as well. Avoid placenta consumption if you have infections like hepatitis or HIV that could pass through the placenta to the baby.
What Are the Purported Benefits of Placenta Smoothies?
Some of the main health benefits that placenta smoothie proponents claim include:
Balancing Hormones
The placenta contains hormones like progesterone and estrogen that some believe can help stabilize hormones after the rapid declines following childbirth. This is thought to reduce the risk of postpartum mood issues and may also help with things like hot flashes and energy levels.
Increasing Milk Supply
For breastfeeding mothers, drinking placenta smoothies may help boost milk supply. This is attributed to the hormones contained in the placenta.
Decreasing Postpartum Bleeding
The iron in placenta is thought to help replace iron lost through bleeding during delivery and reduce postpartum anemia. This may help energy levels rebound faster.
Pain Relief
The hormones in placenta are believed to provide natural pain relief, easing the aches and pains many experience after giving birth.
Faster Recovery
Some believe consuming placenta smoothies helps the uterus return to normal size faster and speeds overall recovery time following childbirth.
Nutritional Benefits
The placenta contains nutrients like protein, iron, vitamin B6, and more. Blended with fruits and veggies, a smoothie may provide nutritional benefits.
What Does the Research Say on Placenta Smoothies?
Despite widespread claims about benefits, current research on placenta smoothies is very limited. A few small studies have been conducted, but nothing definitive:
- One very small study in 2018 found placenta capsules increased milk production versus placebo, suggesting possible benefits for postpartum lactation. However, this hasn’t been verified in larger studies.
- Rat studies suggest some analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, but human data is lacking.
- One study found placenta cells may stimulate repair after injury when injected in mice. Oral benefit is unknown.
- Some research shows hormones are detectable in breastmilk after mothers consume placenta pills. Potential effects on infants require more research.
- Surveys of women who’ve consumed placenta smoothies report benefits like mood improvement and increased energy, but placebo-controlled research is needed.
Overall, there is not yet solid data from rigorous clinical trials to substantiate health claims about placenta smoothies. More research is needed on optimal preparation methods, dosing, side effects, and both short and long-term impacts. Human trials with large sample sizes and placebo controls can better assess efficacy.
Potential Side Effects and Safety Concerns
Currently, there are no documented cases of harm directly related to placenta smoothies. However, there are some theoretical risks and side effects including:
- Infection: Bacteria like group B strep can spread if preparation isn’t done properly. Proper handling can likely mitigate most risk.
- Hormonal changes: High estrogen or progesterone from placenta could potentially affect supply while breastfeeding or interfere with birth control.
- Heavy metals or pollutants: Environmental toxins like mercury can accumulate in placenta tissue and be ingested.
- Drug interactions: Placenta could interact with medications the mother is taking, especially if breastfeeding.
- Allergic reaction: Those with placenta allergies may react, especially if not steamed and prepared properly.
There are also no established guidelines for safe dosing. Consuming an overly large quantity could theoretically cause issues from high nutrient amounts. Starting with small amounts and gradually increasing based on tolerance is recommended.
Talk to your doctor about health history and any concerns prior to consuming placenta smoothies while pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any medications.
Placenta Smoothie Recipes
Placenta smoothies can be made following any typical smoothie recipes, with the addition of small, dehydrated pieces of placenta. Here are some recipe ideas:
Tropical Placenta Smoothie
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 banana
- 1 cup coconut water
- 2-3 ice cubes
- 1-2 tsp dehydrated placenta pieces
- Blend all ingredients until smooth. Garnish with pineapple if desired.
Green Placenta Smoothie
- 1 cup non-dairy milk or yogurt
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 apple, cored and sliced
- 1 tbsp nut butter
- 1-2 tsp dehydrated placenta pieces
- Blend all ingredients until creamy and green. Top with granola if desired.
Berry Placenta Protein Smoothie
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 1 cup mixed berries
- 1 banana
- 1-2 tsp dehydrated placenta pieces
- Blend ingredients and top with additional berries before drinking if desired.
Get creative and substitute your own favorite fruits, veggies, milks and mix-ins! Be sure to adjust placenta amount based on size and preparation method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is drinking a placenta smoothie safe while breastfeeding?
There are no definitive safety guidelines for consuming placenta smoothies while breastfeeding. Limited data shows some transfer of hormones through breastmilk. Discuss any concerns thoroughly with your doctor before consuming placenta while nursing.
Do hospital allow placenta smoothies?
Most hospitals do not permit preparation of placenta smoothies on site after birth due to food safety and infection control policies. Some may release placenta tissue to the mother for preparation at home.
Can you freeze placenta for later smoothies?
Yes, placenta can usually be frozen for use in smoothies later. It should be rinsed, sliced, and flash frozen, then stored in freezer-safe bags up to about 3-6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Do placenta smoothies help with postpartum depression?
Some women report mood improvements from consuming placenta smoothies, potentially due to hormone effects. But there is currently limited evidence from studies to show placenta smoothies prevent or treat postpartum depression.
How long after birth can you drink a placenta smoothie?
Most recommend preparing and consuming placenta smoothies within the first 1-2 weeks after giving birth for safety and maximum benefits. Placenta encapsulation can allow storage for several months.
Can you add placenta to pre-made smoothies?
It is not recommended to add pieces of raw or dehydrated placenta to pre-made smoothies that have already been processed and sealed. Blend placenta smoothies fresh for food safety.
Conclusion
Placenta smoothies made after childbirth are growing in popularity due to purported benefits like balancing hormones, increasing milk supply, and reducing postpartum side effects. However, human research is currently very limited and lacks robust clinical evidence. Preparation and handling should be done carefully to avoid infection risk. While some women report benefits from placenta smoothies, more research is still needed to better understand efficacy and safety guidelines. Consult your doctor if considering adding placenta to your postpartum regimen.
