01/6​Viral videos advocate consuming papaya seeds​

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Everything natural is not safe, especially if it is experimental in nature. While the internet is flooded with health hacks of various kinds, it is important to take every piece of advice with a pinch of salt. One such advice is going viral on the internet, claiming the various health benefits of consuming papaya seeds.


The video claims papaya fruit seeds is an Indian medicine for inducing menstrual periods, tackling unwanted pregnancies, restoring hormonal balance and helping with period cramps. However, according to a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips (The Liver Doc), senior consultant and physician scientist in the Department of Clinical and Translational Hepatology, The Liver Institute, Center of Excellence in Gastrointestinal Sciences at Rajagiri Hospital, Kerala, consuming these seeds can prove to be toxic. Here’s how:readmore

02/6​Damage to male fertility​

​Damage to male fertility​
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Studies have found that papaya seed consumption is associated with damage to sperm in males. “Papaya seed consumption leads to loss and damage to sperm in males. It leads to complete loss of sperm counts (called azoospermia) as shown in monkey studies,” writes Dr. Philips.

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03/6​Toxicity associated with consumption​

​Toxicity associated with consumption​
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The doctor explains that while there are no proven benefits, there are multiple potential harmful effects of consuming papaya seeds.

“In animal studies, papaya seed extracted damaged liver cells, destroyed DNA and caused chronic liver injury leading to cirrhosis. Yes prolonged consumption of papaya seeds can induce cirrhosis as shown in animals....when papaya seeds were given to fish in tanks, it led to their erratic movement, air gulping, loss of reflex, discolouration, molting, loss of scale, and hemorrhage with damages visible over the gill, skin, liver and kidneys...but worse is that papaya seeds are a powerhouse of plant chemicals called isothiocyanates that can damage DNA and cause organ damage with cancer potential,” the doctor explains.

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04/6​Do not prevent unwanted pregnancies​

​Do not prevent unwanted pregnancies​
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It is a myth that consumption of papaya seeds can act as a contraceptive so do not consume them for birth control or any other reason.



“In women, papaya seeds do not help reduce unwanted pregnancies. Whole unripe papaya as shown in pregnant rat studies causes severe uterus contractions. Unripe whole papaya (green color or partially green) contains crude latex that induces "tetanic spasms" of the uterus. It is potentially dangerous and must not be consumed by pregnant women. Normal, ripe papayas and papaya juice made from ripe papayas did not cause any uterus contraction in rats.

Yes, papaya fruit consumption in pregnancy is safe, as long as the papaya is ripe,” explains the doctor.readmore

05/6​Disrupt menstrual cycle​

​Disrupt menstrual cycle​
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These are some natural home remedies that may help improve your menstrual cycle. However, papaya seeds are NOT one of them.

“Papaya seeds and papaya fruit do not induce menstrual periods and are not a recommended or approved contraceptive method in women. In fact, when papaya seeds were fed to female rats, their periods became irregular, completely disrupted along with damaging changes in the uterus. Contraceptive potential is only in men, because it destroys and damages and slows the human sperms,” the hepatologist adds.

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06/6​Eat the fruit only​

​Eat the fruit only​
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It is alright to eat papaya as you usually do but do not consume the seeds in any form. No clinical benefits and recommendations currently exist from several studies. However, “potential toxicity has been documented well.”

Read more: 4 morning weight loss drinks that are healthier than chai or coffee

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