Unripe papayas may not be safe for pregnant women
In Asia, many believe that fruits like pineapples and watermelons are unsafe to be consumed by pregnant women because they may cause miscarriages. Apparently, unripe papayas may also cause miscarriages in pregnant women. Therefore it is advised that pregnant women should stay away from eating unripe papayas. In India, however, ripen papayas are also said to be a threat to pregnancies and pregnant women have strictly stayed away from eating any papayas, ripe or unripe.
Unripe papayas contain high concentration of latex that can cause uterine contractions. These contractions can in turn cause a miscarriage. If you search on this topic on the internet, you will find many contradicting opinions. But I choose to be safe than be sorry. It doesn’t hurt to stay away from the fruit and whatever goodness is found in the fruits can probably be found in safer substitutes. I’m no risk taker.
I read up on this story from several sources and there’s one that wrote about a study performed on rats to test the effects of ripe and unripe papayas on pregnant rats. If you would like to read it, you can download it here. You will need to have Adobe Reader installed to read this file. You may even want to do your own research by searching the web.
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This post has 4 comments
November 24th, 2008
Although a fully ripe papaya is not considered dangerous, a papaya that is at all unripe contains a latex substance that triggers uterine contractions and may cause a miscarriage. 1
The papaya enzyme that helps soothe indigestion is called papain, or vegetable pepsin. Papain is found in the fruit’s latex and leaves.
Researchers have noted that unripe papaya latex acts like prostaglandin and oxytocin, which the body makes to start labor. Synthetic prostaglandin and oxytocin are commonly used to start or strengthen labor contractions.”
-from Yahoo Health
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_it_safe_to_eat_papaya_during_pregnancy
November 24th, 2008
Laura, thanks for sharing the link. It’s additional useful information to share, everyone!
April 17th, 2010
IF WE TAKE UNWANTED 72 WITH MENSOVIT WE CAN STOP PREGNANCY
July 2nd, 2010
Well, I know Pineapple and Papayas cause miscarriages. But watermelon don’t! I am thriving on watermelon and I am 6.5 months. Watermelons are supposed to be good for the baby!
My family in India asks me to even avoid cantaloupe. But I read they are full of folic acid which prevents neural birth defects.
I would say anything in less quantity wouldn’t hurt. But if I am sure like pineapple/papayas doesn’t work with me I will be away from them.