Amazing Health Benefits of Papaya Seeds That You Should Know!

Papaya fruit is widely known for its taste, nutrition and health benefits but not many people are aware of the immensely beneficial Papaya seeds, which are usually thrown away. These tiny round seeds are actually edible and are good for our health if consumed in a limited quantity. They help in weight management, relieve menstrual pain and possess anti-cancer properties. They also boost our cardiovascular health and thus are considered as one of the best heart healthy foods.

Papaya seeds are black and have a shiny, wet and slimy covering. If you remove this covering, you can feel the rough black seeds. They are slightly bitter and peppery in taste. You can consume them by drying and grinding.

Nutritional Value of Papaya Seeds:

1. 100 grams of dried papaya seeds provide around 558 calories of energy. They are rich in proteins, fat and fibre.

2. They also contain vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, etc.

3. Papaya seeds are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid. They also contain polyphenols and flavonoids that are powerful antioxidants.

Health benefits of Papaya seeds are:

Powerful Antioxidant:

Papaya seeds are rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and saponins. They are strong antioxidants.

Antioxidants protect the body from damage by free radicals, protecting us from a variety of diseases.

Healthy Gut:

Papaya seeds are rich in fiber. They regulate our bowel movements, removing toxins from the body and thus maintaining a healthy gut. They are helpful in constipation.

Carpaine present in papaya seeds kills bacteria and parasites in our intestines and thus keep our digestive system healthy.

Cures Food Poisoning:

Research has shown that preparing and consuming an extract of papaya seeds can help to successfully kill bacteria like E.coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, etc. which are responsible for most cases of food poisoning.

Relieves Menstrual Pain:

Papaya contains carotene and this substance is essential in helping the body regulate the production of a hormone known as estrogen. While papaya seeds can help induce menstruation and also increase its frequency, they can also help to some degree in managing menstrual cramps.