There are always contradictory statements about the supposedly toxic or he alth-promoting effects of the dark seeds inside the papaya. However, a distinction must be made as to the state of ripeness in which the seeds are consumed.
Are papaya seeds poisonous?
Papaya seeds can only be classified as potentially poisonous when unripe. In fully ripe fruits, however, the seeds contain the enzyme papain, which is beneficial for metabolism and acts against intestinal parasites. Dried papaya seeds can be used as a hot spice.
Poisonous effects of papaya
In fact, there are also negative effects of certain plant and fruit components on human he alth surrounding the cultivation and harvesting of papayas. This primarily concerns:
- the pollen
- the unripe seeds
- the milky juice released during harvesting
The milky sap that comes out of the tree when the papaya is removed is considered poisonous and irritating to the skin. The pollen from a papaya flower can sometimes cause severe reactions in allergy sufferers and sensitive people. Papaya seeds eaten unripe are said to have caused temporary infertility in men in the growing areas.
The he alth effects of eating papaya seeds
If the papaya seeds are obtained from fully ripe fruits, their consumption is generally only known to have positive effects on the human body and the immune system. The enzyme papain contained in the kernels is considered to be detoxifying and beneficial for metabolism due to its splitting effects on proteins and fats. Studies also show that they are extremely effective in combating intestinal parasites. In addition, the papaya seeds also have an interesting taste when used in dried form as a hot spice such as pepper.
Dry and store the papaya seeds
Before drying, the seeds must first be cleaned of any pulp. The easiest way to do this is to gently rub the seeds between two layers of paper towels. You can then dry the seeds on a baking tray in the oven at around 50 degrees Celsius for two to three hours before placing them in an airtight container for storage.
Tips & Tricks
You can put the dried papaya seeds in a pepper mill like pepper and grind them. For the intestinal cleansing effect, around four to five seeds should be chewed several times a day.
