Q&A for How to Eat Papaya Seeds

It's recommended to eat around 3 slices of papaya a day. Although papayas have many health benefits, eating too much of the fruit could cause stomach aches and/or diarrhea.

Of course! This is one of the best and easiest ways to get all the health benefits from this incredible fruit. Try tossing freshly washed papaya seeds and cut papaya fruit into a blender with pineapple chunks, mango chunks, and Greek yogurt to make a delicious tropical smoothie.

Yes! Papaya seeds have been reported to help prevent diabetic heart disease. Plus, they can help lower cholesterol and improve your overall health.

Fresh, raw papaya seeds can last 5 to 7 days in the fridge in an airtight container, while dried and ground seeds can last several years in an airtight container.

The main known benefit is that the seeds can provide additional fiber to your diet. Other health benefits are yet to be conclusively proven but some people think the following health benefits may come from papaya seeds: Possible anti-parasitic effects (University of Nigeria study), antioxidant benefits and promotion of digestive health. They do have some side effects though, such as tasting bitter, causing digestive distress in some people and possible effects on fertility, which must be balanced against the supposed health benefits. It is not recommended to consume papaya seeds during pregnancy, as this may harm the fetus.

Fresh papaya seeds can be eaten but they must be chewed before eating or they might cause digestive distress and you might not get the benefits from the seed. Papaya seeds can be ground into a powder if you want to add them to a drink but they may taste bitter and peppery, so this isn’t ideal for everyone.

Despite various claims that papaya seeds aid weight loss, as yet there are no scientific studies to conclusively support the role of papaya seeds in weight loss effectiveness to date. As part of a healthy diet, they contribute fiber and antioxidants but are not a single source solution to weight loss.

Papaya seeds should be saved only for growing, not for eating later because they cannot be digested when dried. To save papaya seeds for growing new papaya trees, scrape them out of the papaya fruit. Rinse them thoroughly with water, then squeeze them out of the little sac surrounding them (this sac prevents them from growing otherwise). Spread the washed seeds out on a paper towel to dry, either in a dark and warm place or in a shady spot away from wind outside. Store them in a sealed paper bag or an airtight container to await planting if not planting them immediately; don’t keep them for too long though, as they’re best planted quickly. For growing papaya from seed, see How to Grow Papaya .

That seems like a very normal way to prepare food. If you've already eaten them, I assume you've already discovered that they're safe to eat.

Yes, if you don't mind the taste. There's certainly no harm in adding them to your smoothie.

Yes, papaya seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide and eating too many can cause cyanide poisoning.

Yes, but it's better to chew them or else they'll come out the other end protected by the coating.

Sure, you can eat it however you'd like.

Yes, you can combine one tablespoon of the powder with enough honey to make a good consistency to apply to your face. Leave it on for five to ten minutes, unless your skin is sensitive. Afterwards, use a bit of coconut oil as a moisturizer.

They have no effect on gastric acidity. Try licorice root, aloe vera gel, and mastic gum all together for six weeks. It would not hurt to use a proton pump inhibitor for the first two weeks also.

Papaya seeds will not completely restore the immune system after a bad illness, but it may help maintain the body.

No, it will not. See a doctor immediately. This is a potentially life-threatening illness and cannot be treated by eating seeds.

You can do either.

Papaya seeds are very potent and are excellent for killing bacteria and parasites and maintaining healthy vision and skin. Grind the seeds and mix them with one or two spoonfuls of honey. Take one spoonful a day or less of the mixture: it has a peppery mustard taste and may upset your stomach at first. Try for at least a week.

You should peel the papaya before eating it.

No, papaya absolutely will not cure hepatitis.

Yes, papaya seeds have been known to be useful as an anti-inflammatory aid.

Talk to your doctor about this.

Yes, papaya seeds can go bad, especially if they're stored improperly.

Provided they are thoroughly dried and free from the flesh of the papaya, they should last as long as peppercorns do. However, they will lose their potency after a few weeks to months, depending on how they're stored.

Yes, you can.

Yes, you can.

You can add milk and pieces of papaya to margarine, and mix until it becomes frothy and creamy. You should then put it in the fridge overnight.

You can, however, the nutritional benefits will be far lower as the seeds will have been filtered out.

Yes, they can. It can can also serve as antioxidant, and kills intestinal worms.