• Unripe papaya is considered dangerous for consumption during pregnancy as it causes natural abortion.
• Papaya is a healthy tropical fruit.
• It is rich in phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates (polysaccharides), proteins, fibers, enzymes, glycosides, and flavonoids.
• It contains a host of vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin B1, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin E, and vitamin K.
• As per research, papaya is loaded with many bioactive components that are great for the human body.
Taking this fruit daily can benefit you in many ways:
• Improves digestion and prevents gas formation.
• Prevents constipation and relieves chronic constipation.
• Effective as an alternative medicine for stomach ailments.
• Has antioxidant and anti-ageing properties.
• It is antimicrobial, meaning it fights against bacteria and germs.
• Has anti-cancer properties due to the presence of lycopene
Protects liver.
• Builds immunity.
• Despite having these fantastic qualities, it is generally believed that papaya should be avoided during periods and pregnancy.
• So, Girls can eat papaya during their periods?
• Let us find out if papaya is safe to eat during periods and pregnancy and the potential side effects of enjoying the fruit at this time.
• Is it ok to eat papaya during periods?
• The answer is not straightforward.
• Here you need to know that there are two types of papaya, ripe papaya and unripe or semi-ripe.
• Ripe papayas are orange in color, and unripe or semi-ripe ones are green on the outside and white inside.
• Depending on the type of papaya you want to eat, the answer can be a yes or a no.
• As per research, unripe or semi-ripe papaya is not safe to eat during pregnancy and periods.
• It was found that unripe or semi-ripe papayas cause spasmodic contractions of the uterus, similar to the contractions produced by the hormone oxytocin.
• Uterus contractions are mainly because of an enzyme called papain in the juices (latex) of unripe papaya, known to cause miscarriage or natural abortion in women.
• This is why unripe or semi-ripe papaya is not safe to consume during pregnancy.
• Researchers, however, concluded that eating ripe papaya is safe during menstrual periods and pregnancy and does not cause any harm to the growing baby or the uterus.
• As per a study,
• there are several side effects of eating unripe or semi-ripe uncooked papaya:
• Miscarriage
• Natural abortion
• Risk of post-implantation pregnancy failure
• Damage or irregularities in the growing baby
• The papain present causes these side effects in the raw, unripe fruit.
• The study revealed that papain causes pregnancy failure by inhibiting progesterone, a hormone responsible for preparing the uterine for a successful pregnancy.
• It also explained that papain in unripe papaya damages the fetus by destroying the vital membranes of the fetus.
• But, Girls can eat ripe papaya during their periods?
• Yes, ripe papaya is perfectly safe to eat during periods and pregnancy.
• It helps digestion and prevents constipation, a common side effect during pregnancy.
• If you eat ripe papaya during your periods, your body will get a good amount of nutrition, vitamins, and minerals.
• Simply avoid eating unripe or semi-ripe papaya during periods as the papain content in the fruit might increase menstrual pain due to increased uterine contractions.
• This apart, eating unripe papaya does not cause toxicity, uterine damage, or reproductive organ damage.
• That is why it is ok to consume unripe or semi-ripe papayas with precaution during your periods.
• You can always stop eating the fruit if you experience pain.
Eating papaya during periods have the following benefits:
Regularise your period cycle:
• Eating papaya may help prevent delayed, irregular, or short periods.
• The presence of lycopene, carotenoids, essential vitamins and minerals in papaya increases estrogen levels, a hormone responsible for regularizing the menstrual cycle.
Strengthen uterine muscles:
• Papaya improves blood flow to the uterus muscles and makes them efficient.
• So, Girls Can Eat Papaya During their Periods ?
• While papaya during periods is safe, it is sensible to take a few precautions.
• Unripe papaya contains the papain enzyme, which is known to increase uterine contractions and cause menstrual pain and discomfort.
• If you notice any pain or discomfort after consuming papaya, stop immediately.
• In a nutshell, yes, you can eat ripe papaya during periods, but it’s best to avoid unripe papaya during periods.
References
Farhan Saeed, Imran Pasha, July 2012; Nutritional and Phyto-Therapeutic Potential of Papaya (Carica Papaya Linn.): An Overview –
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10942912.2012.709210?src=recsys
P Ganesan Adaikan, R N V Prasad, August 2012; Papaya (Carica papaya) consumption is unsafe in pregnancy: fact or fable? Scientific evaluation of a common belief in some parts of Asia using a rat model –
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12144723/
SAMRUDDHI AURA 