Pawpaw and fertility is a popular topic because this fruit could be good and at the same time bad for a couple trying to have children.
Pawpaw (Carica papaya) is the sole species in the genus Carica of the plant family Caricaceae.
In Nigeria, people from the Igbo tribe call it okwulu bekee while the Yoruba tribe call it Ibepe.
The Hausa tribes of Nigeria call it kawuse.
Pawpaw leaf and root are popular for their use as a remedy for the treatment of malaria. The fruits, which people often eat when it is ripe, are delicious and nutritious.
Nutritional Facts Of Pawpaw
Basically,100 grams of ripe pawpaw fruit with skin provides (1):
- Calories: 80
- Protein: 1.2 grams
- Fat: 1.2 grams
- Carbohydrates: 18.8 grams
- Fiber: 2.6 grams
- Vitamin C: 20% of the recommended Daily Value (DV)
- Riboflavin: 7% of the DV
- Potassium: 7% of the DV
- Magnesium: 27% of the DV
- Manganese: 113% of the DV
- Iron: 39% of the DV
Pawpaw And Fertility
Pawpaw also has traces of vitamin A and other minerals and that makes the fruit full of nutrients.
However, there have been concerns around pawpaw and fertility.
Is it good for a woman trying to conceive or one that is pregnant?
We will look at the different topics around pawpaw and fertility and the safe way to consume this fruit.
Pawpaw Leaf And Fertility
People take pawpaw for different reasons. The leaf could be boiled with other herbs for treatment of malaria and fever (2).
While the leaf is amazing for treatment of malaria, it is advisable to keep out of use if you are trying to conceive.
According to a study, “papaya leaf possesses anti-fertility properties. The study highlights that this compound makes pawpaw a great alternative for birth control (3).
The study says pawpaw leaf has been shown to cause reduction in mean values of andrological parameters as a result of a compound in it.
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So, if a couple takes a herbal remedy for malaria that contains pawpaw leaf, they could be feeding their body something that will keep pregnancy away.
Pawpaw Fruit And Fertility
The ripe pawpaw fruit is an amazing thing to eat if a woman is pregnant. It is a rich source of manganese, magnesium and iron which are necessary at the early states of pregnancy.
However, a study says that high intake of manganese during the second trimester would increase the risk of pre-term delivery (4).
During pregnancy a woman needs 27 milligrams of iron a day and 100 grams of pawpaw gives 39% of that required value.
Furthermore, a study says consuming ripe pawpaw during pregnancy poses no health issues (5).
Taking Unripe Pawpaw And Fertility
You see, while ripe pawpaw is great for a pregnant woman or a woman trying to conceive, eating unripe pawpaw is dangerous for her.
There is a compound in unripe pawpaw that usually comes out like a white substance which is not okay for a woman trying to conceive or one already pregnant.
According to a study, unripe or semi-ripe papaya (which contains high concentration of the latex that produces marked uterine contractions) could be unsafe in pregnancy (6).
As a result, it is better to avoid taking unripe pawpaw if you are trying to conceive.
Pawpaw Seed
On the other hand, pawpaw seed is another delicate thing to take if you are trying to conceive.
According to a study, pawpaw, particularly the seeds, contains antifertility properties that inhibit reproduction (7).
Unfortunately, some persons could mistakenly eat pawpaw seed while eating the ripe pawpaw. When this happens, it will give a negative effect.
As a result, it is advisable to ensure that all the seeds in pawpaw are taken out before you eat the ripe pawpaw.
Root Of Pawpaw
This is one of the very parts of pawpaw that must be avoided by both men and women if they are trying to make babies.
A study says extracts of pawpaw roots produced decreases in sperm counts and increased the percentage of defective sperm cells (8).
It is okay to eat ripe pawpaw if you are trying to conceive, but you should stay away from unripe or semi-ripe pawpaw.