Don’t be so quick to throw away papaya seeds – they offer a surprising number of health benefits

Like many other vibrantly colored superfruits, papayas are packed with antioxidants and health-promoting nutrients. The fruit’s delectable orange flesh boasts an impressive nutritional profile, and is as delicious as it is nutritious. Most people tend to discard the slimy, black seeds found inside the fruit. However, the papaya seeds are actually edible and are just as nutrient-rich as the pulpy flesh. These peppercorn-like seeds might not look like much, and they do have a strong flavor, but if you can stomach them, papaya seeds can offer a surprising number of health benefits.

Papaya seeds possess anti-parasitic and anti-amoebic properties

Papaya seeds contain high levels of a powerful enzyme called papain, which can dissolve undigested protein waste from your food. This unique property allows papain to break down the protective biofilm of various parasites in your gut. Furthermore, having healthy levels of digestive enzymes in your gastrointestinal tract can make it harder for worms and other parasites to thrive in your gut in the first place.

Papaya seeds possess antioxidant properties

Free radicals can cause oxidative stress and harm the tissues in your body. Fortunately, papaya seeds have potent antioxidant properties that can neutralize free radicals and protect your body from oxidative stress. The high content of antioxidants in papaya seeds may even prevent the onset of certain cancers. (Related: Don’t Throw Papaya Seeds Away: Eat For Gut Health, Detox, Immune Support and Cancer Prevention.)

Papaya seeds can treat liver cirrhosis

A lifestyle of heavy drinking can cause your liver to shrink and develop liver cirrhosis, hampering its ability to remove toxins from your body. Not only can papaya seeds detoxify your liver, but they can also serve as an effective natural remedy for liver cirrhosis. Simply use a mortar and pestle to crush 10 fresh papaya seeds, and mix the powder with one tablespoon of lemon or lime juice in a glass of water. Drink the solution twice a day for a month and you should experience drastic improvements in your liver.

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Papaya seeds support healthy kidneys

Since papaya seeds have natural detoxifying properties, they can promote the healthy function of your kidneys. According to research, papaya seed extract can even protect your kidneys from oxidative stress.

Papaya seeds can improve your digestion

A high-protein diet can lead to poor digestion. Excess protein that isn’t broken down properly can accumulate in your colon and create toxic compounds. Papain and other proteolytic enzymes found in papaya seeds can facilitate your digestive system in breaking down these undigested proteins. If you want to improve the health of your digestive system, you can eat a small amount of papaya seeds whenever you consume a large amount of meat.

Papaya seeds can treat food poisoning

Food poisoning is sometimes caused by ingesting food that has been tainted with bad bacteria. Papaya seeds can provide powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can combat bacterial infections and alleviate the effects of food poisoning in your digestive system. According to research, papaya seed extract can kill E. coli, Salmonella, and other harmful bacteria. As soon as you feel the symptoms of food poisoning, take freshly crushed papaya seeds with a small amount of easily digestible food. Do this three times a day until the symptoms subside.

Next time you eat a tasty papaya, you might want to think twice about tossing those seeds into the trash. You never know when they might come in handy.

Sources include:

FoodsForBetterHealth.com

SuperFoodProfiles.com