Table of contents:
- The type of papaya that should not be eaten during pregnancy
- Benefits of eating ripe papaya during pregnancy
Fruits are an important element in a pregnant woman's diet because they are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and folate. However, not a few think that certain types of fruit such as papaya should be avoided because they can harm the fetus. So, is eating papaya during pregnancy really not allowed? This is the answer.
The type of papaya that should not be eaten during pregnancy
Source: Dr. Fitness
Whether or not pregnant women eat papaya depends on the level of maturity. Like most fruits, papayas take time from fruit to maturity and can be consumed. Ripe papaya looks yellowish orange in color, while unripe papaya has green skin with ivory white flesh.
Ripe papaya is a source of choline, beta-carotene, folate, fiber, potassium and various vitamins that pregnant women need. These various ingredients are not found in immature papaya. The highest content in raw papaya is the sap and papain enzymes which can break down protein into peptides and amino acids.
The prohibition on eating papaya during pregnancy does not apply to ripe fruit. In fact, what you should avoid is the raw papaya sap. This is because raw papaya sap can have the following effects:
- Stimulate contraction of the uterine wall muscles, resulting in early labor.
- Trigger dangerous allergic reactions in pregnant women.
- Your body can mistake the enzyme papain for a prostaglandin hormone that stimulates labor. Papaya sap can also weaken the protective membrane lining the fetus.
A study also shows that the enzyme papain in large amounts can cause toxicity to the fetus and birth defects. However, this research has only been conducted on animals and still needs to be studied further.
Benefits of eating ripe papaya during pregnancy
The sap and enzymes of papain are indeed dangerous for the health of the fetus, but consumption of ripe papaya and not much is actually beneficial for pregnant women. Based on a number of studies published on the Mom Junction page, ripe papaya has the following benefits:
- Smooth digestion of pregnant women. The beta-carotene content in ripe papayas is a great source of soothing antioxidants heartburn and reduce the risk of constipation.
- Prevent morning sickness, or morning sickness.
- Maintain the immune system. Vitamins and antioxidants are two components that are effective in boosting the immune system while preventing infectious diseases.
- Increase hemoglobin levels. If the numbers are low, pregnant women can experience anemia.
- Prevents dehydration due to the high water content in papaya.
- Provides energy from the sugar and calorie content found in papaya. Sufficient energy is an important factor in preventing fatigue in pregnant women.
- Reducing the risk of pregnancy complications and various other diseases.
You can eat papaya while pregnant as long as the papaya is really ripe and doesn't contain a lot of sap. However, be careful when consuming papaya if you have previously had a miscarriage or premature labor. Do not also consume it excessively.
If you have concerns about certain food ingredients during pregnancy, don't hesitate to ask your doctor. Also, consult any health problems you experience after eating fruits and other foods.
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