Do you have questions about nutrition? Send them to us at comer@lavanguardia.es, our nutritionist Aitor Sánchez will solve all your doubts.
Hello. I am contacting you to clarify a question about a doctor’s office published in March. I would like to take papaya seeds, because they have many benefits, but in that article you said that they are not that bad. Does taking them have contraindications? Thank you so much! (LluÃs Aylon, reader)
Hello, Luis.
Papaya seed benefits may be interesting, but we don’t have to exaggerate them. It is known that they have some antioxidant and, above all, antiparasitic power. It is important to bear in mind that in the case of suffering from a parasitosis we will never be able to treat it in a unique way with this food, but we do value from a historical perspective the role that they played for many centuries before specific drugs were developed. During all that time they did a great show
If you want to take papaya seeds, you can do it without any problem, just as you can consume those of other products, such as watermelon or grapes. Of course, keep in mind that some contraindications can occur in people with digestive problems, where the amounts should be moderated or even advised against depending on what type of diet that patient has prescribed.
What about the so-called superfoods? Do they work? What is the best way to take them? I’m talking about ginger, turmeric, chia, maca… (Vanesa Pineda, reader)
Hello Vanesa.
It will depend a lot on the superfood we are talking about and, above all, what functions are being attributed to it. All superfoods are not created equal, and their effects vary, too. It is true that they tend to be healthy, have attractive or slightly superior properties, but these characteristics are communicated in an exaggerated way, and do not correspond to reality.
In addition, many times superfoods, when sold in a very exotic and exclusive way, have a much higher price, which in most cases is not justified. It is also very important to take into account that they are taken in very residual quantities, so it is impossible for them to have a great contribution to our health. How many grams do we drink of white tea? And what about poppy seeds? What amounts of ginger are consumed throughout the year? negligible.
For this reason it is especially important that we analyze what type of consumption we are promoting. Adding ginger once to an infusion will be of little use, but if we incorporate it as a habit and do it regularly on a daily basis, it can be a good help and contribute to its antioxidant effects.
This same example is applicable to turmeric. It does not make much sense to place high hopes in the antioxidant effect or prevention of heart pathologies of this condiment, if we only take it occasionally. On the contrary, if we start cooking regularly with turmeric or different types of curries, we could see some of those benefits.
In the specific case of seeds, I would advise you to read the previous consultations where we have talked about the properties of chia or flax seeds. They are foods that can be interesting due to their concentration of nutrients and that can be taken in significant quantities.
If we relativize all this information, we will realize that superfoods can be a good tool. But we should run away from that term to note that they are simply another food, albeit a little more interesting.
