Health and nutrition experts say there is no proof that eating spicy food during pregnancy is harmful or can cause babies to be born blind.
They explained that no scientific study has linked spicy food during pregnancy to blindness in babies.
However, they warned that spicy foods might cause heartburn in pregnant women, especially those who had stomach ulcers before getting pregnant.
In an interview, Professor Ignatius Onimawo, a Public Health Nutrition expert, said it’s false to believe that spicy foods cause blindness in babies.
There is a myth that spicy foods can “burn” the baby’s eyes in the womb and make the baby blind.
Professor Onimawo, who once led Ambrose Alli University in Edo State, said, “That idea is completely false. No research supports it. I don’t know of any spices that pregnant women must avoid. Eating spicy food often depends on culture.”
He added that some people eat a lot of spicy foods, while others avoid them because of their upbringing.
The professor said he doesn’t know of any spicy food that pregnant women must not eat.
Onimawo, who also led the Nutrition Society of Nigeria in the past, said that harmful substances during pregnancy are things like drugs and alcohol—not spicy foods.
He advised pregnant women to eat a healthy diet and include plenty of fruits and vegetables.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), food safety is especially important for pregnant women, their unborn babies, and young children under five.
BabyCentre, a parenting website, says that spicy foods are safe during pregnancy.
They wrote, “Yes, spicy foods are safe for both you and your baby. They are not on the list of foods to avoid during pregnancy.
“Many people wrongly think spicy food is harmful—even when not pregnant. But that’s not true. Spicy foods are safe, although they might upset your stomach or taste buds,” BabyCentre added.
BabyCentre is a U.S.-based website that gives parents advice on pregnancy, childbirth, and raising young children.
Dr. Austin Aipoh, President of the Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria, agreed with Professor Onimawo. He said the idea that spicy food causes blindness in babies is just a myth with no scientific proof.
Dr. Aipoh, a public health doctor, said, “There’s no evidence that any known spice causes blindness in babies. Still, if someone isn’t sure about a spice, it’s better for pregnant women to avoid it.”
He advised pregnant women to stay away from unfamiliar spices because some might worsen stomach ulcers.
Dr. Aipoh explained that pregnant women often get heartburn. For women who already have ulcers or gastritis, spicy food with a lot of pepper, ginger, or alligator pepper might make it worse.
BabyCentre also confirmed that spicy foods can increase the risk of heartburn during pregnancy.
They explained that many pregnant women get heartburn. Spicy foods can make it worse. Heartburn happens when pregnancy hormones relax the valve between the food pipe and the stomach, letting acid move up into the throat.
This is more common in the last part of pregnancy, when the growing baby pushes against the stomach and causes acid to rise.
A 2018 study in the journal *Nutrients* said that eating a healthy and balanced diet during pregnancy is very important for the baby’s growth and for changes happening in the mother’s body.
The researchers said that a healthy pregnancy diet includes getting enough energy, nutrients, proper weight gain, following food safety rules, and avoiding harmful substances.
