The papaya seeds are fondly called “traditional healers treat,” and it acts as a magic bullet for the treatment of Kidney, Liver, Digestive diseases, and many more.
Christopher Columbus, (the reputed Italian voyager) once lovingly referred to papayas as the “Fruit of the Angels”. The nutrient-dense fruit is extremely rich in Vitamin “C” has an array of health benefits, making it an excellent option to include in your daily diet. Here are some of the essential health benefits of papaya.
“The papaya seeds have numerous medicinal properties.” YES!!! You read it right, and we are serious!!
What are papaya seeds?
Papaya seeds are the small, black and round seeds found inside the cavity of papaya fruit. These have a shiny surface and are wet and slimy to touch.
Nutrition Facts
Papaya seeds have an abundant amount of essential nutrients that make them highly beneficial for your overall health. These are rich in fiber and also contain a good amount of protein. Further, these also include a high amount of minerals like magnesium, phosphorus and calcium.
The seeds provide you with an enzyme called papain which is excellent for your digestive health. Besides it, they also contain proteolytic enzymes, alkaloids, and several other active ingredients.
[ Read: Benefits of Grapefruit ]
Papaya Seeds Benefits
Papaya seeds are packed with nutrition, and a small dosage of them is indeed rewarding. Add them to your diet and see improved health. Here are some of the prominent papaya seeds benefits that you must know.
1. Boost your immune system
A stronger immune system ensures that you stay fit and healthy. One of the significant papaya seeds benefits is a stronger immune system that guards you against all the diseases and infections. Papaya seeds contain flavonoids and phenolic compounds that help your body fight against the foreign entities and pathogens that can cause infections. Thus these boost your immunity.
2. Benefit your liver
Papaya seeds have some vital nutrients that are excellent for the health of your liver. These help to detoxify your liver and prevent various diseases. Papaya seeds are well-known to treat cirrhosis, a liver condition. To heal it, you must eat crushed dried papaya seeds with lime juice every day. Consuming papaya seeds for thirty days will give you significant results, and you will notice that the symptoms of the disease lessen.
[ Read: Foods Bad for Liver ]
3. Prevent kidney diseases
A healthy kidney is one of the significant papaya seeds benefits. Studies show that consuming papaya seeds can be beneficial for your excretory system. The enzymes present in the seeds stimulate the functioning of your kidney and help detoxify your body, thus reducing the toxicity levels in the body.
With decreased toxicity, the risk of kidney diseases significantly reduces. Consuming papaya seeds whole or papaya seeds extract can thus benefit your kidney and even prevent renal failure.
4. Birth control
Yes, papaya seeds are natural male contraceptives and can be used for birth control. Unripe papaya has been used for birth control since ancient times. While ripe papaya loses the phytochemicals that can control birth, seeds of the fruit can be effectively used as a male contraceptive.
Studies show that eating papaya seeds or applying the papaya seeds extract directly on the uterus can help abort a pregnancy.
5. Papaya seeds benefits for skin
Healthy and beautiful skin is one of the significant papaya seeds benefits. These provide you with an abundant amount of antioxidants as well as essential minerals that boost your skin health. The antioxidants present in papaya seeds help kill the free radicals in your body that damage your skin and cause its aging.
Thus, consuming papaya seeds keeps your skin supple and young by slowing down the aging and preventing wrinkles, pigmentation, and dryness.
6. Papaya seeds aid in weight loss
The uses of papaya seeds are many, and one such is weight loss. The magical enzymes, papain, present in papaya seeds benefits you in losing weight. These serve as an effective and healthy way of losing weight. Consuming papaya seeds helps in eliminating toxins from your body and also prevents your body from absorbing fat.
These boost your body metabolism and ensure that excess fats and sugars do not get deposited in your body. Thus, you can consume papaya seeds for weight loss.
7. Papaya seeds are known to prevent cancer
Papaya seeds are widely used for their ability to prevent cancer. The milky sap of papaya seeds contains an active component known as acetogenin which inhibits the cancer cells from growing. Thus, eating papaya seeds is beneficial for you in the long run.
How to eat Papaya Seeds?
You can eat papaya seeds whole, but before you rush to gulp them, it is advised that you start with one or two seeds and then slowly increase the number after building up the taste. If whole papaya seeds taste bitter, then you can try eating them with a teaspoon of honey or add them in your recipes.
You can also grind the papaya seeds and make a fine powder which can be sprinkled on food. Dry papaya seeds do not taste as sharp as the fresh seeds. Ground dried seeds can be used in place of black pepper.
[ Read: Amazing Avocado Seed Benefits ]
Papaya Seeds Recipes
There are numerous ways in which you can use papaya seeds and enjoy their benefits without having to bear their bitter taste. Below mentioned are some interesting recipes that are easy to prepare and provide you with the wonderful papaya seeds benefits.
Fresh Papaya Seed Dressing
Use the dressing made using fresh papaya seeds on your favorite green salads and enhance their nutritional value.
What will you need?
- One onion
- One tablespoon of fresh papaya seeds
- One-fourth cup of raspberry vinegar
- One teaspoon of dried mustard
- One-fourth cup of sugar
- Half a cup of vegetable oil
- One-fourth teaspoon of salt
How to prepare?
- Add papaya seeds and onion to a food processor and process to chop them
- Next add mustard, vinegar, salt and sugar, and pulse three times
- While the processor runs, add oil in a thin stream to emulsify the dressing
- Top your salad with this fabulous dressing and serve
[ Read: Health Benefits of Jackfruit Seeds ]
Papaya seed smoothie
Yes, you can also make a smoothie using papaya seeds. It is quick and easy to prepare.
What will you need?
- One banana (chopped)
- One teaspoon papaya seed powder
- One-fourth cup of frozen berries
- One cup of apple juice
How to prepare?
- Toss all the ingredients in a blender
- Whizz to get a mixture of smooth consistency
- Pour the contents in a glass
- Your papaya smoothie recipe is ready to be savored
[ Read: Benefits of Watermelon Seeds ]
Cold papaya soup
The traditional soup gets an interesting twist, and you are going to love it.
What will you need?
- One ripe papaya (cut into chunks)
- A teaspoon of fresh papaya seeds
- Two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- Unsweetened apple juice or water (as required)
- Sugar to taste
How to Prepare?
- Peel the papaya and scoop out the seeds
- Store the seeds in your refrigerator and cut the papaya
- Put the papaya chunks in a blender and puree
- Once you get a smooth puree, pour the contents in a bowl
- Next, add sugar and mix well
- After that, stir in lemon juice
- The soup should be thick; however, if it is too thick you can add some apple juice or water
- Then cover it and refrigerate for four hours
- After that, take it out and top with the stored papaya seeds
- Serve
[ Read: Natural Remedies for Cold ]
Side-Effects
Papaya seeds of naturally grown papaya are generally safe for consumption. Some people with sensitive skin may have allergy from papaya, but the seeds, have no probable side-effects if taken orally. However, these must be avoided by:
- Pregnant women
- Nursing Mothers
Also, please note that excessive consumption of papaya seeds may:
- Result in gastrointestinal problems
- Decrease male fertility
- Increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases
- Lower blood pressure
From improving your skin health to preventing liver and kidney diseases, papaya seeds benefits are many. These can be indeed great for your health. These bitter seeds are loaded with nutrients that boost your health in many ways.
However, you must not eat them in excess as these may have an adverse effect. Add them to your diet in moderate amount and enjoy their numerous benefits.
[ Read: Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds ]
FAQs
1. How do papaya seeds taste?
Papaya seeds have a sharp taste similar to that of black pepper and wasabi.
2. How to dry papaya seeds?
Scoop out the seeds from the fruit and place them on kitchen towel. Fold the towel and rub the seeds inside. When the seeds are clean, place them on a baking tray lined with a parchment paper. Put the plate in the oven and dry the seeds until they break on crushing.
3. Can papaya seed powder be used as an alternative to black pepper?
Yes, papaya seed powder tastes similar to black pepper, hence can be used as a healthier alternative to it.
