Can pregnant women eat ripe papaya?

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If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, avoid eating unripe papaya. Unripe papaya contains pus that can cause uterine contractions. Although papaya or its enzymes are sometimes recommended to ease indigestion, which is common during pregnancy. The following article helps you better understand whether eating ripe papaya is good for pregnant women.

1. Is it safe to eat papaya during pregnancy?

Fully ripe papaya is not thought to be problematic, but it is not known for sure if papaya is completely safe during pregnancy. The enzyme in papaya that helps relieve indigestion is called papain, or vegetable pepsin. Papain is found in the latex and leaves of the fruit. Unripe papaya latex can act like prostaglandins and oxytocin, which the body makes to initiate labor. Synthetic prostaglandins and oxytocin are commonly used to initiate or strengthen labor contractions.
Eating papaya for pregnant women has a lot of dilemmas for pregnant women. Ripe papaya when eaten with caution can be beneficial, but unripe papaya can cause many complications during pregnancy.
During the first months or stages of pregnancy, the fetus is very fragile and must be given the utmost care. Even small amounts of harmful substances, like latex, can cause a lot of harm. Ripe papaya contains purulent substance, causing uterine contractions. The fruit's sap contains the vegetable pepsin or 'papain', in the case of papaya. This 'Papain' acts like prostaglandin (endogenous or body's own substance) and oxytocin (a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland of the brain), causing contractions. Such irregular or irregular uterine contractions during pregnancy can cause miscarriage or premature birth. Papain also weakens vital fetal membranes, making its survival difficult. Therefore, during the first trimester, unripe papaya should be completely avoided.
During the last trimester of pregnancy, Papaya can induce premature labor by causing uterine contractions due to the enzyme 'papain' present in it. Before these complications, many women choose to limit papaya during pregnancy. Reports suggest that bleeding or bleeding from the edge of the placenta can also be caused by eating raw papaya during later pregnancy.
Here are the benefits of eating ripe papaya during pregnancy: Ripe papaya is generally considered safe and generally beneficial during pregnancy.
An ingredient in papaya that helps control respiratory disorders is Latex, which acts like prostaglandin and oxytocin Ripe papaya is rich in vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, potassium and beta-carotene, all of which have High in antioxidants and boosts the immune system. Providing vitamins from papaya helps to improve immunity, prevent various infections. Adequate vitamin intake also prevents ulcers and skin problems. The fiber present in papaya helps in easy digestion: The common problem of constipation during pregnancy can be overcome naturally with papaya. However, consult your obstetrician regarding regular consumption.

Papaya can help you overcome morning sickness. Papaya also contains folic acid, which is essential during pregnancy for the baby's neurological development. Papaya also promotes better heart health and is thought to prevent colon cancer. Eating papaya to treat viral diseases during pregnancy can help increase platelet count, although this fact is not supported by scientific data. Having the right amount of ripe papaya helps to increase lactation.

2. Papaya (Papita) during pregnancy: How safe?

One of the most important things for a pregnant woman is diet and nutrition. Throughout her pregnancy, women have been advised about foods to eat while pregnant and foods to avoid.
Although fruit is part of a well-balanced diet, some fruits like papaya - pregnant women are asked to avoid, but people should do their own research to avoid confusion. its harm or benefit. There is much confusion surrounding eating papaya during pregnancy because ripe papaya is good for pregnant women while unripe papaya is not.
Ripe papaya is a natural and healthy source of:
Beta-carotene Choline Fiber Folate Potassium Vitamin A, B vitamins and vitamin C Unripe papaya is a rich source:
Latex Papain Why you should not eat green papaya Pregnant women should not eat unripe papaya because papaya contains latex:
The latex in unripe papaya or even partially ripe papaya contains papain, which can stimulate prostaglandins and oxytocin, hormones that can lead to uterine contractions and premature labor. Papaya can cause miscarriage, as it is a strong stimulant, which helps to stimulate and increase menstrual flow. It must be completely avoided during early pregnancy. This is the stage where the placenta is being formed and the presence of an insignificant amount of pus can harm the uterus. Pepsin and papain can be detrimental to the survival and development of the fetus. Studies report that eating papaya during pregnancy can interfere with implantation, increase the risk of miscarriage after implantation, and harm the embryo. Weakens vital fetal tissues: Papain is commonly used for cell dissociation, as it is a proteolytic enzyme. It is known to slow down cell growth and interfere with fetal tissue growth. May cause bleeding and edema: Unripe papaya can increase blood vessel pressure and even lead to internal bleeding or placental bleeding. Placental bleeding or spotting can cause pregnancy and delivery-related complications. Unripe papaya can affect the development and function of the placenta. Increases bowel movement: Papaya increases bowel movements. However, excessive bowel movements can create pressure in and around the uterus and cause miscarriage. Papaya is rich in fiber, and it puts pressure on the stomach and intestines which can lead to miscarriage. Papain and chymopapain are two enzymes present in papaya, which have both teratogenic effects (harmful to the development of the fetus) and miscarriage.

It is also commonly thought that papaya is one of the "hot foods" that cause too much heat in the body and should be avoided during pregnancy. This is probably the reason for the traditional belief that eating papaya can cause miscarriage and premature birth. However, there is no research on whether foods can raise your body temperature enough to cause these types of harm to your unborn baby.
If you want to eat it, it's best to keep a few things in mind:
Always choose ripe, fresh and clean papaya. Avoid any fruit that is green, has brown or black spots, soft sunken areas, or moldy patches. Do not eat any papaya skins or seeds. Always remove the seeds and carefully cut the flesh from the shell. It is best not to eat the flesh of the fruit directly on the outside of the peel. Eat fruit in moderation. Papaya also has ripe berries that are rich in vitamin C and vitamin A. It is also a good source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, folate (vitamin B9) and fiber.
Many women find that ripe papaya helps prevent and control constipation and heartburn. Some women may also enjoy a tonic made by mixing a small portion of ripe papaya with some milk and honey. This mixture is considered a rich source of nutrition for pregnant and lactating mothers.
Ultimately, you will decide if you want to include papaya in your diet. If you are still unsure, talk to your doctor for further advice.

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References: healthline.com, p arenting.firstcry.com, webmd.com