Papaya seeds: Benefits and side effects

Antioxidants are compounds that help to reduce the damage caused due to the action of free radicals in the body. This makes them important for the prevention of several chronic diseases and disorders and for the maintenance of good health. Many natural foods like papaya seeds are richly loaded with antioxidants, which makes them excellent for your health.

Studies on these seeds have found that they are highly effective in reducing the generation of superoxide free radicals. They also helped in the induction of apoptosis. These actions of seeds have been compared with benzyl isothiocyanate, which has an inhibitory potential against some types of cancer. So, it can be ascertained that papaya seeds have a protective benefit for your health and may even aid in the prevention of severe diseases like cancer.

Since papaya seeds are rich in antioxidants and fats, they are excellent for the health of your skin. Fats will help in keeping your skin smooth and soft while antioxidants will help to delay age-related changes on the skin. Antioxidant foods like papaya seeds have been ascertained to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, fine lines and other signs of ageing.

In addition to including this in your diet, you can make a papaya seed scrub or a mask to have glowing and smooth skin. This will be more helpful since the antioxidant potential of papaya seeds has found to be better as a water extract.

Many of us struggle with weight issues either with losing weight or with wanting to gain some pounds. Papaya seeds can help individuals at both ends of the spectrum. These seeds are a rich source of fibres and omega 3 fatty acids, which can assist in weight loss, when consumed in moderation. Since these seeds possess fibres, their intake will help in keeping you full for long allowing you to binge lesser. This defines their rationale for weight loss.

(Read more: Weight loss foods)

Because these seeds are high in fats, an increased dosage can lead to a healthy weight gain. As opposed to the intake of trans fats and unhealthy food items, the intake of papaya seeds causes a healthy weight gain, which is conducive to your health. Thus, papaya seeds can help you in maintaining a healthy weight, whatever be your concern.

(Read more: Weight gain foods)

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Diabetes is a major public health problem, which has a detrimental effect on major body systems. Studies have found that papaya seeds are helpful in the management of diabetes since they have an anti-hyperglycaemic effect (reduces blood sugar levels). Since the exact mechanism of action has not been understood, it is important to talk to your doctor before indulging excessively.

(Read more: Ayurvedic Treatment of Diabetes)

High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, although, it has no apparent symptoms of its own. This makes it essential to keep cholesterol levels in check, which can be possible with the use of papaya seeds.

Studies have found that the intake of these seeds helps in improving the lipid profile. Its hypolipidemic effects help in the management of dyslipidemia. Further, it has been found that these seeds are effective in the management of hypertension and ischaemic heart disease and thus have a beneficial protective effect on your heart.

Kidney damage can occur due to a variety of reasons, most commonly oxidative stress and the use of certain drugs. Paracetamol is one such drug, which substantially helps in pain control but an excessive dosage of which can lead to kidney damage.

Studies have found that papaya seeds have a nephroprotective effect (i.e. protects kidneys). This was apparent as they reduced the parameters of damage and improved kidney architecture. Due to its free radical scavenging actions, papaya seeds have been used as a folk medicine against kidney disorders and as per the recent studies may be helpful in this regard.

In addition to the above benefits, papaya seeds are also useful in:

• Thrombocytopenia: Studies have found that the intake of papaya seeds helps to rapidly increase the platelet count. Thus, they are helpful in the management of thrombocytopenia.
• Intestinal parasites: Papaya seeds have an antimicrobial, antihelminthic and anti-amoebic potential and are thus utilised in standard anti-parasitic preparations.