Superfood of the Week: Papaya Seeds

If you are lucky enough to live in or visit the Caribbean, you will find that, depending on where you go, there is no shortage of the delicious and healthy fruit known as papaya. Papaya has been known to act as a digestive aid, helping to rid the body of waste – but did you know that the papaya seeds are particularly healthy? Most of us toss the seeds out of our fruits once we slice into them. After reading this, you may want to reconsider.

Not so pleasant in taste or smell, but fantastic for your gut, these small, black, ball-shaped seeds are plentiful in the belly of a papaya. As a warning, papaya seeds should be avoided if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.

Here are some benefits and details of consuming papaya seeds:

• Aids in healing liver cirrhosis – if you suffer from live cirrhosis, it is advised to grind or crush 5-6 seeds and consume them for at least 30 days consecutively. Furthermore, eating small amounts of papaya seeds regularly can assist in detoxing the liver and lower your chances of liver diseases.
• Promotes kidney health – according to the University of Karachi, papaya seeds can be used to improve kidney health and prevent renal failure.
• Reduces joint inflammation – papaya and its seeds are anti-inflammatory by nature, making them perfect for alieving arthritis, joint disease, swelling, pain and redness.
• Kills bacteria – papaya seeds have been found to kill harmful bacteria such as E.coli, staphylococcus and salmonella and can also be used to fight infections. Consumption of the seeds has even been found to cure typhoid, dengue and other diseases.
• Aids in digestion – papaya and its seeds are high in the enzyme papain, which is beneficial in aiding protein digestion.
• Cancer-fighting – papaya seeds contain properties that can stop the growth of cancer cells and tumours with the help of isothicyanates, which specifically targets cancer of the colon, breast, lung and prostate, as well as leukaemia.
• Rids parasites in the intestine – papaya seeds contain an alkaloid called carpaine which kills intestinal worms and amoeba parasites. Because the fruit can metabolise proteins, it makes the gastrointestinal tract a hostile place for parasites to live and thrive.
• Used as contraception – Papaya seeds can be used as contraceptives for both men and women, without any nasty side effects. For centuries, both men and women in India and Southeast Asia have traditionally used the fruit and seeds as a form of birth control. The effect is temporary, but still effective.

For more information on this ancient fruit and its many healing properties, please visit https://www.curejoy.com/