This is a concern circulating around the internet regarding consuming Papaya During Pregnancy. However, there are no known risks associated with eating papaya during pregnancy. Just the same, please consult your medical professional.
The ability to bring a new life into the world is a blessing, but it also comes with a significant amount of responsibility for the parents.
The diet that the woman consumes throughout pregnancy can have a substantial bearing on the health of the fetus as it is developing. Rightfully so, one of the most pressing issues on the minds of most women who are expecting is the question of what foods they should and should not consume.
During the nine months of pregnancy, mothers will want to pay a lot of attention to what they are putting into their bodies. It can be tricky navigating the maze of information and misinformation on the web, and the papaya fruit seems to get more than its fair share of unwanted attention.
Unfortunately, the information warning of the dangers surrounding papaya is only partly correct. The truth is only unripe papaya can cause issues with pregnancy. That is to say ripe papaya consumed in pregnancy is perfectly fine. Additionally, there are good reasons why you might like to enjoy papaya in your diet during pregnancy (listed on the next page).
The Dangers of Unripe Papaya During Pregnancy:
Papayas that haven’t yet ripened contain compounds called papain and latex. Latex is a milky white liquid made up of a combination of chymopapain, endopeptidases, and papain. Latex has been known to cause uterine contractions, which are dangerous because in the worst case scenario it can technically lead to miscarriage.
It can also reduce the production of the progesterone hormone, which is an essential hormone for a healthy pregnancy. Latex also acts like prostaglandin and oxytocin, which are hormones that could stimulate and induce labor. Additionally, an unripe papaya with latex is also not good for an unborn baby as it can weaken the membrane surrounding a fetus.
The quantity of latex in papaya severely diminishes however as it ripens, which means that a fully ripened fruit can most likely be enjoyed during pregnancy. Despite the dangers inherent to unripe papaya, ripe papaya is a totally different story.
Regardless of this we advise all pregnant women or women preparing to become pregnant to consult their doctor regarding the consumption of papaya.
Benefits of Papaya During Pregnancy:
Papaya may be undeserving of its poor reputation because every drawback can be avoided by simply checking if the papaya is ripe.
Ripe papaya provides many nutritional and health benefits, to include the following:
- Papaya Can Boost Hemoglobin Levels.
- Papaya fruit may provide relief from pregnancy-induced anemia because it has nutritional compounds that help the body produce red blood cells.
- Papaya is an Excellent Source of Antioxidants. A single cup of ripe papaya a few times a week is an abundant source of antioxidants known to strengthen the immune system, which is of particular benefit to pregnant women. The fruit also very easily combines into a great tasting smoothie.
- Papaya has been known to help reduce the chance of type 2 diabetes due to both its high fiber and high nutrient profile. As this relates to pregnant women, papaya may be helpful in reducing the chance of gestational (pregnancy induced) diabetes.
- Papaya Can Help with Indigestion. Papaya’s high fiber content, potassium, and antioxidants have been shown to help with indigestion in some people.
When Not to Eat Papaya During Pregnancy:
We again remind you to check with your doctor about any dietary concerns you may have. Doctors may warn not to consume papaya of any type if the following may apply to you:
- You are allergic to latex.
- You have received infertility treatment and/or conception took a long time.
- You have previously had a miscarriage, premature delivery, or an abortion. In conclusion, avoid papaya if you must, but if you enjoy this delicious fruit there’s no reason to avoid it during pregnancy, notably if your doctor gives you the all-clear
