Can I eat papaya during pregnancy?
Depends Ripe: yes, in normal amounts · Unripe or green: avoid
Ripe papaya is safe to eat in normal amounts during pregnancy. Unripe or semi-ripe (green) papaya should be avoided, because its milky latex contains papain, which may trigger contractions.
Is papaya safe in pregnancy?
The worry about papaya comes from its latex, the white sap found mostly in unripe fruit. Latex contains papain and other substances that, in animal studies, can cause the womb to contract. As papaya ripens, the latex almost disappears. A fully ripe papaya, with yellow-orange skin and soft, deep orange flesh, has very little latex, and is a healthy fruit. The research in humans is limited, so most doctors suggest enjoying ripe papaya in normal portions and avoiding green papaya completely.
Benefits
- Rich in vitamin C, which helps you absorb iron from your food
- A good source of folate and vitamin A (as beta-carotene, which is safe)
- High in fibre and water, which helps with pregnancy constipation
Risks to know about
- Green or semi-ripe papaya contains latex, which may cause contractions
- Some people are allergic to papaya latex, especially if they have a latex allergy
- Papaya seeds and papaya-leaf extracts or supplements have not been shown to be safe in pregnancy
How to eat it safely
- Choose fully ripe papaya: yellow-orange skin that gives slightly when pressed
- Wash the skin before cutting, then remove the seeds
- Avoid green papaya salad (som tam), green papaya curries and raw papaya achar
- Stick to a normal portion, such as a small bowl a day
Will papaya cause a miscarriage?
Ripe papaya eaten as a normal fruit has not been shown to cause miscarriage. The concern is with unripe papaya and large amounts of latex. In many South Asian families papaya is avoided completely in pregnancy; if that brings peace of mind, other vitamin C fruits such as oranges and guava are good alternatives.
Questions about papaya in pregnancy
Can I eat papaya in the first trimester?
Ripe papaya in normal amounts is generally considered safe in every trimester. Many women choose to avoid it in the first trimester out of caution, which is fine. Always avoid unripe or green papaya.
Is papaya juice safe in pregnancy?
Fresh juice made from ripe papaya is generally fine in small amounts. Avoid juices or smoothies that may contain green papaya, and remember juice has less fibre and more sugar than the whole fruit.
How can I tell if a papaya is ripe?
Ripe papaya has mostly yellow or orange skin, gives slightly when pressed and has soft, deep orange flesh. Green skin, hard flesh or white milky sap when cut mean it is unripe.
General information, not medical advice. If you have a condition such as gestational diabetes or an allergy, ask your doctor or midwife what's right for you.