Tag: Pawpaw

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Food & Body

Top Three (3) Fruits To Avoid While Pregnant

papaya seeds

Are you pregnant? This is a period to eat a lot of health fruits but there are a few fruits that you should avoid to keep you and your unborn child in good shape. Eat time you want to eat something, you must consider what consequence or effect will it be for your developing child.

papaya seeds

Many women had had miscarriages without knowing it could be due to the fruits that they consume during the early state of pregnancy. In this short post, I will be sharing with you some of the fruits to avoid during pregnancy as they affect  the overall makeup of your baby.

  • PAPAYA: Pregnant women should avoid eating papaya has it can lead to miscarriage or early labor. Unripe and semi-ripe papayas are rich in latex which leads touterine contractions. The blog further reported that it is believed that ripe papayas are good to eat during pregnancy as they are rich in vitamin C and nutrients which cures pregnancy problems like heartburn and constipation. Papaya mixed with honey and milk is an excellent tonic for pregnant woman during lactation. To be on the safer side, avoid having papayas.
  • PINEAPPLE: if you have a pregnancy complication, such as gestational diabetes, your health care provider may advise you to reduce the amount and type of fruit you can eat in order to keep your blood sugar at a healthy level. One of such fruit is pineapple as it could spike your blood sugar level beyond normal.
  • GRAPES: Grapes are good to consume any day, any time because of their high concentration of antioxidants. However, for pregnant women, there have been findings that showed that grapes causes build up of internal heat that disturbs the development of the growing baby.

Before you decide to adhere to any form of information, you are advised to speak with your health care provider. Do not miss any of your schedule with the Doctor and stick to the advise given to you for the wellbeing of your unborn child.

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Food & Nutrition

Seeds Of Fruits You Can Eat & Add To Your Diet

Watermelon Seeds

Many seeds are loaded with numerous nutritional benefits but this fact is unknown to a lot of people particularly those in this part of the world. Not too long ago, I took a trip to some parts of Europe and I was completely awed by their eating habits and the type of meals they consume. Seeds of different foods were occasionally included into their diets to raise both micro-nutrient and protein intake.

Watermelon Seeds

In some types of fruits, the seeds which are usually discarded are more nutritious than the whole flesh. In this short article, I have compiled three major fruits which are commonly consumed here in Nigeria and the benefit of consuming their seeds.

WATERMELON:

Thirst quenching fruit; almost everyone in Nigeria loves this anti- oxidant loaded fruit. While consumption is quite common, virtually everyone discards the seeds. Aside eating the pulp the fruit, the seed can also be eaten in raw, dried or roasted form.

The seeds are high in protein, B vitamins and fats. The fat content is high both in saturated and unsaturated fats. In some countries, the seeds are collected, dried or roasted and consumed as snacks which supplies low calorie and can be consumed by those managing their weight.

PAWPAW: Have you ever tried making a chilled smoothie out of a ripe pawpaw? I bet you will quit taking soft drinks after a sip. The fruit is loaded with many vitamins and minerals. It is good for people battling with constipation due to high dietary fibre. While all these can be said of the fleshy part of the fruit, it will surprise you to know that the seeds which are edible also contain advantageous health benefits.

I am careful about using the entire pawpaw seeds when making a smoothie as there is no record on the quantity that could become toxic to the body but facts have established that; including some amount of the seed helps improve your immune system. To the whole pulp of pawpaw, you could add 2 or 3 table spoon of the seed to make a smoothie. I have never tried eaten it raw……..I guess it is bitter and pepperish. Hey! No harm in trying.

GRAPE SEEDS: For lovers of grapes, you will agree with me that it is a super fruit with countless benefits. According to a research carried out at the University of Maryland Medical Center, it was reported that the seeds contain powerful antioxidants, in addition to other nutrients such as vitamin-E, flavonoids and linoleic acids.

Flavonoids are believed to lower the risk of heart disease by decreasing your body’s concentration of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. Also, in the same light, the September 2009 issue of “The Journal of Nutrition” reports that the phytochemicals and antioxidants in grape seeds have the ability to fight cancer and improve your overall health.

Well, having itemized some of the edible seeds you should consider eating, my advise is this, If you must consume the seeds of these fruits in there raw form, ensure you grind them properly before swallowing. If you cannot do that, you should add the seeds when trying to make some cups of smoothie. I prefer the latter particularly after it had been refrigerated.

I hope you will find this article helpful.

Categories
Food & Nutrition

Pawpaw Seeds Are Edible! See Nutrients & How To Eat Them!

Usually, most seeds of crops and fruits appear completely inedible but unknown to many, a few of these seeds are loaded with numerous health benefits.

Pawpaw, botanically known as Carica papaya is a popular fruit consumed not only in Nigeria but across the entire globe. For me, no other fruit eases the pains of constipation more than papaya. I can not but remember a day when my father was seriously constipated and he called me for advice. I did not think twice to tell him to have a serving of pawpaw about the size sold for N50. The next morning it was his call I received. He was so grateful beyond measure. He said he just left the bathroom. No doubt, papaya flesh which is extremely high in vitamin C, folate, potassium, vitamin A and dietary fiber can do such magic but make sure it is ripe.

papaya seeds

Having said that while many people only consume the pulp of pawpaw, virtually everyone I know throw away all the seeds. In fact some have claimed to hate the sight of it. The black coloured seeds have the power to improve your immunity to illnesses and diseases. It also helps in detoxification of your body system. According to researches, the seeds are high in fat and protein and a good source of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.

How To Consume The Papaya Seeds

Unknown to many, papaya seeds can be eaten directly but I do not indulge in it because it is slightly bitter with a spicy peppery flavour. To benefit from the health loaded seeds, I add one or two tablespoons of it into a dice portion of the pulp of papaya and blend until completely juicy.

Sometimes, depending on how I want it to taste, I include some slices of pineapple. In certain countries, they are added to salads, soup or any dish acting as a substitute for black pepper but in moderation.

Caution About Papaya Seeds

Pawpaw pulp itself has short coming especially in the diet of a pregnant woman as it is known to trigger miscarriages in certain women. While this remains a fact for the pulp, one should be cautious with the consumption of the seeds as there is no record of the amount which may trigger any form of toxicity in humans.

Although, a portion of it is no doubt is helpful but there is growing concern as papaya seeds contains a compound; Benzyl isothiocyanate which induces toxicological damage in animals at very high doses according to the December 2003 issue of “Life Sciences.” Research presented in the February 2010 issue of the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” .