Fact Check: Can papaya eliminate intestinal parasites?

An Instagram post claims that Papaya eliminates intestinal parasites. This claim made by the user is MISLEADING.

Claim

In an Instagram post, it is claimed that papaya eliminates intestinal parasites. In the post by user health.wealth5 claims that papaya can eliminate intestinal parasites. As per the user, Papaya fruit kills parasites because it contains high concentrations of papain, an enzyme that naturally eliminates intestinal parasites and Papain reduces gas and bloating and promotes healthy digestion. The post has 12,220 likes and can be accessed here

Fact Check

The claim made by user on Instagram is MISLEADING.

What are Intestinal Parasites?

Intestinal parasites lead to intestinal parasitic infections, which are caused by helminths and protozoan parasites. These are among the most widespread infections affecting humans, particularly in developing countries. In these regions, inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene contribute to the high prevalence of these parasites, which lead to significant morbidity and mortality. While protozoan parasites tend to be more common causes of gastrointestinal infections in developed nations, helminths remain a major health concern in tropical and subtropical areas.

Helminths, or parasitic worms, include nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms), and trematodes (flatworms). These multi-celled organisms inhabit the human gut but typically cannot multiply within the human body. The four major species of helminths—Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm), Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), Ancylostoma duodenale, and Necator americanus (hookworms)—are responsible for infecting over a billion people worldwide, primarily in regions with poor sanitation. Although helminth infections rarely result in death, they have profound effects on health, nutritional status, and development, especially in children.

Protozoan parasites, on the other hand, are single-celled organisms, differ from helminths in their ability to multiply within the host. Common intestinal protozoans include Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium spp., and Cyclospora cayetanensis. These protozoan parasites cause diseases such as giardiasis, amoebiasis, cryptosporidiosis, and cyclosporiasis, respectively, and are often associated with diarrheal illness. While these infections are prevalent in both developed and developing nations, the burden is particularly severe in resource-limited settings where contamination of water and food with fecal matter is common.

About Papaya 

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a tropical fruit is a popular fruit in India, known for its abundance of bioactive compounds such as carpaines, benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), benzyl glucosinolates, latex, papain, zeaxanthin, and choline. Its seeds, leaves, and fruit offer numerous health benefits, including antioxidant properties, digestive support, and potential nutraceutical applications. Papayas are an excellent source of vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, along with folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, copper, calcium, and potassium. They are also rich in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C.

Papaya contains the enzyme papain, which aids in improving intestinal motility and reducing transit time. It is also beneficial in treating traumas, allergies, and sports injuries, with its healing effects largely due to papain’s enzymatic action. This enzyme supports wound healing through its role in enzymatic debridement, making papaya a valuable natural remedy for various health conditions. An article published in Surgical Clinics of North America noted that papain yield per papaya fruit ranges between 1.23 and 7.45 grams, while the overall yield from a papaya tree can vary from 150 to 227 grams.

Can papaya eliminate intestinal parasites?

There may be certain benefits of papaya for gut health. Papaya contains papain which improves intestinal motility and there is some evidence that papaya may aid digestion and the seeds can treat intestinal parasites. However, no scientific evidence or medical consensus supports the claim that papaya can eliminate intestinal parasites completely.

Claus Muss et. al. conducted a study that found papaya helps maintain digestive tract health by alleviating various functional disorders, such as IBS symptoms. It was also found that papaya supports digestive tract health.

A randomized controlled trial conducted by John A. O. Okeniyi et. al. demonstrated that papaya seeds may be effective in treating human intestinal parasites without notable side effects. 

A review article published in the Arabian Journal of Chemistry highlights that the papain enzyme, derived from papaya, has been demonstrated to assist in protein digestion and has historically been employed in traditional medicine to alleviate indigestion.

Additionally, an article published in Nutrients highlights that papaya contains the enzyme papain, which is effective in enhancing intestinal motility and reducing transit time, thereby aiding digestion.

So while scientific evidence shows that papaya seeds can be a good digestive aid and in certain circumstances help treat human intestinal parasites, it would be incorrect to say that papaya can eliminate intestinal parasites as use of papaya is not recommended by any evidence of medical consensus as a therapy for elimination of intestinal paraites. 

Responding to the claim Dr Sachin Choudhary, MBBS, MS (General Surgery), FMAS, FIGS Assistant Professor (General Surgery), Army College of Medical Sciences explained "While there are some traditional remedies suggesting that papaya seeds, in particular, may help in eliminating intestinal parasites, the evidence supporting this is limited and mostly anecdotal. Carica papaya and its seeds have proven antihelminthic and anti-amoebic activities, but the evidence for the same is weak. Papaya seeds contain compounds like papain and proteolytic enzymes that may have an anti-parasitic effect, but they are not a substitute for medically-approved treatments. If you suspect an intestinal parasite infection, it is crucial to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment with prescribed medications. Relying solely on papaya or any other natural remedy can delay effective care and lead to more stomach complications ."

Dr Tilottama, MBBS, MD (Preventive Medicine), Consultant Medicine, Sanjeevan Hospital further added,"There is some belief that papaya seeds can help eliminate intestinal parasites due to their enzyme content. While papaya seeds may have mild anti-parasitic properties, they should not be considered a primary treatment for parasitic infections. Intestinal parasites require proper medical diagnosis and treatment with prescribed medications. Using papaya alone could lead to inadequate treatment and potential complications. It’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional for accurate diagnosis and appropriate care."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

Papaya's papain enzyme may help in digestion by improving intestinal motility, and there is limited evidence suggesting papaya seeds may treat intestinal parasites. However, there is no strong scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that papaya can eliminate intestinal parasites,

Hence, the claim that papaya can eliminate intestinal parasites is MISLEADING.