The papaya fruit is well-known for its flavor, nutrition, and health advantages. However, few people are aware of the enormously valuable papaya seeds.
Many people discard papaya seeds after eating the fruit, oblivious to the fact that they are wasting a valuable natural treatment.
These little round seeds are edible and beneficial to our health when ingested in moderation.
This is why I have compiled a short summary of papaya seeds benefits.
Now, you don’t have to dispose of them again!
Table of Contents
Nutritional Value of Papaya Seeds
Papaya seeds are dark in color and have a slimy, glossy exterior. You may feel the tough black seeds if you remove the covering. They have a slightly bitter, peppery flavor.
What nutritional value do they possess?
- The caloric content of 100 grams of dried papaya seeds is roughly 558 calories.
- Protein, fat, and fiber are all abundant in them.
- Vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and magnesium are also present.
- Papaya seeds are high in oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid.
- They also include potent antioxidants, polyphenols, and flavonoids.
Also, read about papaya benefits.
Health Benefits of Papaya Seeds
Now, let’s see the potential of papaya seeds benefits on health.
1- Powerful Antioxidant
Papaya seeds are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from free radical damage, which can lead to a range of ailments.
In addition, they are abundant in flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, polyphenols, and tannins. All of these protect your body cells from oxidative damage.
2- Papaya Seeds for Weight Loss
Papaya seeds are fiber-rich. Ms. Ayesha Amjad, a qualified nutritionist based in Lahore, says they aid in the clearance of toxins from our bodies by keeping our digestion on track.
They also aid in the regulation of our metabolism and the prevention of fat absorption. These seeds have the ability to block the absorption of extra fats and sugars by the body.
This helps in the prevention of obesity leading to weight loss.
3- Papaya Seeds – Excellent for Digestion
Papaya seeds contain many digestive enzymes. These enzymes aid in food digestion. Furthermore, they have potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects that aid in bacterial management.
They also assist in the management of heartburn – a stomach condition.
4- Papaya Seeds Benefits for Healthy Gut
Fibre is abundant in papaya seeds that help to maintain a healthy gut.
How?
Papaya seeds benefit by regulating our bowel motions and eliminating toxins from the body. They are effective in relieving constipation. According to a study, increasing fiber intake increases stool frequency. Therefore, add papaya seeds to your diet.
Furthermore, papaya seeds contain a campaign, which destroys germs and parasites in our intestines. This keeps our digestive tract healthy.
5- Lower Cholesterol Levels
Lowering cholesterol levels is one of the health benefits of papaya seeds. They are high in oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid. These fatty acids help to keep cholesterol levels in check by lowering harmful cholesterol levels (LDL cholesterol ).
In addition, papaya seeds are fiber rich. Fibre also aids in the reduction of cholesterol in the body.
As a result, you can eat papaya seeds as one of the foods to lower cholesterol.
6- Possess Anticancer Properties
Polyphenols, which are potent antioxidants, are found in papaya seeds. They protect our bodies against a variety of malignancies.
Isothiocyanate, found in papaya seeds, prevents the formation and development of cancer cells.
According to a study, papaya seed extract was discovered to help reduce inflammation and protect against cancer growth.
7-Papaya Seeds Benefits for Kidney Health
Your kidneys are important to your health because they work as a filter, removing waste and extra fluid from your body.
The health and function of your kidneys may be protected and preserved by ingesting papaya seeds.
Papaya seeds are also high in antioxidants, which can maintain kidney function by preventing oxidative damage to cells.
8- Reduces Inflammation
Papaya seeds have been shown to help reduce inflammation.
Vitamin C, as well as alkaloids, flavonoids, and polyphenols, are abundant in papaya seeds. Anti-inflammatory effects can be found in all of these substances.
As a result, they can help prevent and reduce inflammation in disorders like gout and arthritis.
9- Papaya Seeds For Liver Health
The liver is the organ responsible for filtering poisons out of the body.
If you eat papaya seeds alone or with fruit juice, it will assist the liver in eliminating all stored toxins that, if not eliminated, can create serious health problems.
Papaya seeds are also known to have essential nutrients that can aid in the treatment of disorders such as liver cirrhosis.
On a daily basis, eating 3 to 4 papaya seeds, crushed and combined with lime juice, can aid with liver cirrhosis treatment and recovery.
10- Papaya Seeds For Hair
One of the health benefits of papaya seeds includes helping with dandruff control. Dandruff is frequently caused by fungi, specifically the Malassezia fungus.
Antifungal activities have been discovered in papaya fruit and seeds. When applied to the hair and scalp, this may help to decrease or prevent the formation of dandruff.
You can use a hair pack or scrub that contains papaya seed extract.
Recipes to Add Papaya Seeds to Your Diet
How much papaya seeds should I eat per day? To answer this question, you’ll need to incorporate them into your diet to get the most out of them. How?
Here are a few easy recipe ideas to get you started:
- Scoop the raw seeds and eat them right away (1 teaspoon).
- Make a salad dressing or smoothie with it. This may have a bitter flavor, so balance it out with other flavors.
- Combine papaya seeds, lemon zest, cream, lemon juice, and minced garlic in a marinade.
- You can also clean, dry, and bake papaya seeds to a fine powder and add it to your favorite spice blend.
Note: Don’t consume more than 1 teaspoon of papaya seeds per day.
The Bottom Line!
Papaya seeds are nutrient-dense. Papaya seeds’ benefits are many, including cancer prevention and renal health. However, they must be used in moderation to prevent possible side effects.
When you slice open papaya the next time, make sure to eat both the tasty flesh and the powerful seeds inside to get the most out of the fruit’s health advantages. If you further want to know about the health benefits of papaya seeds, you can consult with the best nutritionist near you. You can make an appointment via Healthwire.pk or call 042 32500989.
