The fruit papaya is adored for both its mouthwatering taste and great nutritional profile. Unfortunately, a lot of people often throw away the fruit’s seeds in favour of the luscious flesh.
They are unaware that the seeds are both edible and very healthy. Before consuming them, you may need to take some negative effects into account.
This article examines the benefits and drawbacks of eating papaya seeds, as well as how they may help to cleanse the body and get rid of intestinal parasites.
Are papaya seeds healthy?
The majority of people keep asking this question, so sometimes we have to break it down. so that by the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll know whether or not papayas are tasty and whether or not they can treat certain illnesses that affect our bodies.
Numerous important micronutrients are present in papaya seeds. They include particularly high levels of flavonoids and polyphenols, two substances that function as antioxidants to support your health.
To avoid oxidative stress and stave against chronic illnesses, antioxidants battle disease-causing free radicals.
Additionally, papaya seeds contain a significant quantity of oleic acid and other beneficial monounsaturated fatty acids.
One research found that a diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids might lower triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol levels by 19% and 22%, respectively, in persons with type 2 diabetes.
Papaya seeds also contain a substantial amount of fibre. Increasing your fibre intake helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
Increased fibre intake has also been linked to a lower risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Read Also: Is Basmati Rice Healthy?
Possible health advantages
Here are a few possible advantages of using papaya seeds in your system.
Papaya seeds are known to contain a variety of essential nutrients and may also have a number of health advantages.
1. May help to combat infections
Scientists claim that some fungi and parasites may be eliminated by papaya seeds.
One test-tube scientist found that papaya seed extract was efficient against three different fungus strains, including the particular pathogen that causes yeast infections.
Another small research discovered that consuming an elixir prepared from honey and dried papaya seeds considerably outperformed a placebo in terms of combating intestinal parasites.
However, more extensive research is required to ascertain if ingesting papaya seeds may have an impact on human illnesses with fungi and parasites.
2. May keep kidney function safe
Your kidneys serve as a filter in your body, taking out waste and extra fluid to maintain your health.
Eating papaya seeds may help to maintain kidney health and function, according to research.
The papaya seed extract was shown to be protective against kidney damage in a rat trial when rodents were administered a drug to cause toxicity.
Papaya seeds are also a great source of antioxidants, which help prevent oxidative cell damage and safeguard kidney function.
However, additional human-based studies are required since the majority of the research in this field is currently conducted on animals.
3. Might possess anti-cancer qualities
Some research suggests that papaya seeds may have anticancer potential because of their excellent nutritional and antioxidant profile.
The development of prostate cancer cells was also inhibited by black papaya seeds, according to another test-tube research.
Although these findings are encouraging, further research is required to determine if papaya seeds have any impact on the development of cancer in people.
4. Might enhance intestinal health
Papaya seeds are a rich source of fibre, the same as other seeds.
Fibre adds weight to your stools to encourage regularity as it passes through your digestive system undigested.
In fact, a study of five research revealed that patients with constipation who consumed more fibre had more frequent bowel movements.
Increasing your fibre intake may also enhance a number of other digestive health factors.
According to studies, dietary fibre may guard against inflammatory bowel illness, reduce haemorrhoid symptoms, and prevent the development of intestinal ulcers.
Some potential health issues you should be aware of
Papaya seeds provide a number of health advantages, but there are also some possible health risks.
1. Possibly reducing fertility
Papaya may sometimes fall short in terms of fecundity. According to certain animal research, papaya seeds may lower fertility.
For instance, one research discovered that giving significant amounts of papaya seed extract to monkeys resulted in azoospermia, a disease marked by a paucity of sperm in the semen.
Similar results were seen in a rat investigation, which found that papaya seed extract decreased both sperm count and motility. Curiously, researchers discovered that these alterations were undone 45 days after the end of the therapy.
Take note that compared to what most individuals generally eat, these studies employed a considerably larger dose of papaya seeds.
Studies on humans are required to determine if eating papaya in proportions normally seen in diets may have an impact on fertility.
2. Possibly hazardous in large doses
You should exercise caution while eating papaya seeds since they contain benzyl isothiocyanate, a chemical that is also present in many varieties of cruciferous vegetables. In rare situations, this chemical may be very harmful to the human body.
This substance has been linked to many health advantages in test-tube experiments, particularly in terms of preventing cancer.
However, some studies indicate that it can be dangerous in big doses.
One test-tube investigation, for instance, revealed that administering benzyl isothiocyanate directly to individual cells produced serious DNA damage.
The authors did point out that giving benzyl isothiocyanate to living rats did not produce the same results.
It should be noted that these investigations on animals and cells examined the results of using extremely high dosages of benzyl isothiocyanate.
The potential effects of the benzyl isothiocyanate present in a single serving of papaya seeds on human health need more study.
Read Also: Nigeria’s best Papaya soap for pregnant women
Conclusion:
High in nutrients, papaya seeds have been linked to a range of health advantages, including the avoidance of kidney damage and cancer.
Side effects from high dosages are possible, but they may be easily prevented by limiting your consumption to a few servings each day.
The next time you cut open papaya, make sure to make use of the fruit’s potent seeds as well as its tasty flesh to reap the entire spectrum of health advantages.