Health Benefits of Papaya
Health benefits of Papaya
There are many health benefits of papaya. Papayas are a sweet fruit and grow in tropical regions. They have many varieties. Papaya has many benefits, including protection against heart disease, reduced inflammation, aid in digestion, and boosting your immune system. There are also benefits to eating papaya seeds. You can enjoy papayas in many ways, such as in smoothies and salads.
Origin of Papaya
Papayas are originally from Central America. Indigenous people in that area ate papayas and used them for medicinal purposes. In the 1500s and 1600s, Spanish and Portuguese colonizers brought the seeds to other tropical areas of the globe, including the Philippines and India.
Today, Hawaii, the Philippines, India, Ceylon, Australia, and tropical regions in Africa are the top papaya-producing regions. Smaller papaya-farming operations still exist in Central and South America.
Source of Antioxidants-Health Benefits of papaya
Papayas contain high levels of antioxidants such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Diets high in antioxidants may reduce the risk of heart disease. The antioxidants prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. When cholesterol oxidizes, it’s more likely to create blockages that lead to heart disease.
Free radicals are reactive molecules created during your body’s metabolism. They can promote oxidative stress, which can lead to disease.
Antioxidants, including the carotenoids found in papayas, can neutralize free radicals.
Studies note that fermented papaya can reduce oxidative stress in older adults and people with prediabetes, mild hypothyroidism and liver disease Also, many researchers believe that excessive free radicals in the brain are an important factor in Alzheimer’s disease.
In one study, people with Alzheimer’s given a fermented papaya extract for six months experienced a 40% drop in a biomarker which indicates oxidative damage to DNA — and is also linked to aging and cancer.
The reduction in oxidative stress is attributed to papaya’s lycopene content and ability to remove excess iron, which is known to produce free radicals.
Source of High Fiber
Additionally, papaya’s high fiber content may reduce the risk of heart disease. High-fiber diets lower cholesterol levels.
Source of folic acid
Other papaya benefits include folic acid, which is needed to convert the amino acid homocysteine into less harmful amino acids. (Amino acids are molecules that help make up proteins.) High levels of homocysteine, an amino acid mostly found in meat products, are a risk factor for heart disease. Eating papaya may lower homocysteine levels, reducing this risk factor.
Improve Digestion and reduced inflammation
Papayas contain two enzymes, papain and chymopapain. Both enzymes digest proteins, meaning they can help with digestion and reduce inflammation. Papain is an ingredient in some over-the-counter supplements to help with minor upset stomach.
Both papain and chymopapain also help reduce inflammation. They may help ease acute pain, like that from burns or bruises, and might help with chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and asthma.
Improve Immune system
Eating foods high in vitamin C can help boost your immune system, allowing the body to fight off bacterial and viral illnesses. Papaya has a good amount of this antioxidant.
Papaya is also a good source of vitamin A, which is important for a healthy and functional immune system.
Potentially protects against prostate cancer
Lycopene is a natural pigment found in red and orange foods. Tomatoes, watermelon, and papaya are good sources of lycopene. Some experts believe that eating more lycopene reduces the risk of prostate cancer, but some research has been inconclusive.
However, in other studies, eating a diet high in lycopene along with green tea was found to reduce the risk of prostate cancer significantly.
Health Benefits of Papaya enzyme
Papaya enzymes, particularly papain, are known for their digestive properties. They help break down dietary proteins in the stomach. This can lead to reduced bloating, gas, and indigestion.
Applying creams or ointments that contain papaya enzyme is believed to promote wound healing. The enzymes may help remove dead or damaged tissue, aiding in the healing process.
Some skincare products contain papaya enzymes due to their exfoliating properties. Papain helps remove dead skin cells, leaving the skin smoother and more radiant.
Nutrition Facts
A medium-sized papaya contains more than 200% of the vitamin C you need per day. This vitamin helps reduce the risk of heart disease and boosts the immune system. Papayas are also a good source of
Nutrients per serving
A medium-sized papaya (approximately 275 grams) contains about:
- 119 calories
- 1.3 grams of protein
- 30 grams of carbohydrates
- Less than 1 gram of fat
- 4.7 grams of dietary fiber
- 21.58 grams of sugar
You should eat Papaya or not
Papaya is generally safe to consume, but some people may have allergic reactions. Papaya has natural sugars, so if you need to limit them for any reason, eat an amount that aligns with your health needs.
How to Eat a Papaya?
When choosing a papaya, consider when and how you want to eat it. Green papayas are not ripe yet and will not have the characteristic flavor or texture. But unripe papayas are used in some cooked dishes or in certain styles of salads. Papayas with red and orange skin are riper. You want it to be slightly soft to the touch, but not overly soft.
If you buy unripe papayas and want them to ripen before you eat them, store them at room temperature until ripe.
Once you’re ready to eat the papaya, simply cut it open, scoop out the seeds, and eat the orange interior. The skin and seeds are not poisonous, but most people don’t eat them.
Is it good to eat papaya every day?
Papayas are generally safe to eat unless you have an allergy or are avoiding sugars. However, it’s best to eat any food in moderation.
When should you eat a papaya?
Papayas with red and orange skin are riper. You want it to be slightly soft to the touch, but not overly soft.
Benefits of raw Papaya
Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which can break down the tough protein chains found in muscle meat. Because of this, people have used papaya to tenderize meat for thousands of years.
If the papaya is ripe, it can be eaten raw. However, unripe papaya should always be cooked before eating — especially during pregnancy, as the unripe fruit is high in latex, which can stimulate contractions.
