But parasites entering our gastrointestinal tractcausing some unsavory side-effectsare more common than you may think.

Parasites are living organisms that live off of another organism to survive.

The idea that parasites are only a problem in underdeveloped countries is entirely flawed."

Image of a Papaya.

Getty Images / Verywell Health

Without proper treatment, being infected with a parasite can lead to nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

One of the newest parasite-combating home remedies on TikTok is eatingpapayaseeds.

What Are Papaya Seeds?

Like most seeds, papaya seeds are loaded with nutrients like fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats.

Some data suggests that a potential downside to eating these little pips could be possible reduced fertility.

But this effect was found in research conducted on rats given high doses of papaya seed extract.

Can Papaya Seeds Prevent Parasites?

As an added benefit,ringwormwas reduced from a 54.4% infection rate to a 34% infection rate.

What This Means For You

Eating papaya seeds, in moderation, likely won’t harm you.

And they may even be effective at treating intestinal parasites.

But if you think you might be infected, your best bet is to seek medical treatment.

Effective treatments exist and delaying treatment can cause harmful side effects like vomiting and diarrhea.

2018 Dec 7;18(1):327. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2379-2