Papaya is a soft tropical fruit with sweet taste & vibrant yellowish-orange color. It has many medicinal properties that can reduced the risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer & high blood pressure, Here we’ll discuss various health benefits of papaya.
The papaya fruit belong to Caricaceae family and are native to central America, However European colonizers introduced its seeds to other parts of the world like Philippines and India. Papayas are also known by different names like papaws or pawpaws.
Papaya is loaded with many antioxidants that can reduce inflammation & fight diseases. It is a rich source of vitamin A, B1, B3, B5 B9, C, E and K that fight off various bacterial and viral illnesses & boost our immune system. These nutrients can neutralize free radicals & oxidative stress. Other micronutrients present in papaya :
- calcium,
- potassium,
- magnesium,
- copper,
- Potassium,
- lutein and zeaxanthin
Here are 12 health benefits of papaya.
1. Promote Healthy Hair
According to a study, Papaya contains vitamin A, C and E that strengthens and protects your hair. The papaya peel and extracts can be applied on the hairs to boost the sebum production which act as a hair moisturizer. Additionally, a report suggest that the compounds called lycopene can be a powerful hair growth stimulating agent.
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2. Help Smooth Skin
Applying mashed papaya topically on wound promote healing, repair skin after sunburn and prevent infection of burned areas. Papaya has vitamin C, carotenoids like beta-carotene and lycopene that help your skin look more toned and youthful by removing impurities, dead cells, wrinkles and maintaining the structural protein called collagen.
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3. Aids Weight Loss
Papaya is very low in calories and loaded with natural fibers – these qualities that have shown result to improve satiety and lower the risk of weight gain. The antioxidants present in papaya may protect the body from free radicals and harmful toxins. In addition, Papaya seeds may prevent body from absorbing fats and help in support your weight loss goals.
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4. Good Eye Health
Papayas are loaded with Vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E and antioxidants which help in protects corneas, reduce macular the degeneration of the retina and improving eye health. Lutein & Zeaxanthin are phytonutrients found in papaya filters out harmful blue light rays. Additionally, these antioxidants also help to boost visual activity and color perception.
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5. Improve Digestion
The Papaya contain digestive enzyme called papain which help to digest protein easily. It can clear the digestive tract of toxins & cure irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) when had on an empty stomach. A study show seeds, leaves & roots of papaya intake can ease constipation, treat ulcers & upset stomach. Studies show papaya have antidiarrheal and anti-bloating properties.
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6. Healthy Kidney
The papaya is rich in high amount potassium & flavonoids that remove the toxins accumulated from kidneys and reduce the deposition of uric acid in the blood. A study suggest eating papaya seeds play a major role in protecting and preserving the kidney health, Furthermore, the rich antioxidants of papaya seeds can reduce the oxidative damage to cells. These seeds are edible but have a bitter and peppery taste.
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7. Protect Heart
The Phytochemicals in papaya like Vitamin A. E, lycopene and potassium keep arteries healthy, fight off free radicals and maintain the level of good cholesterol. Apart from this, Papayas has folic acid that help to lower homocysteine levels. Thus It improve blood flow & reduce the risk of heart stroke and other related diseases.
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8. Prevent Diabetes
Raw papaya has a hypoglycemic effect on the body that help to decrease blood glucose levels and bad cholesterol. Thus, People with diabetes who are taking medications to lower their blood sugar should be cautious to their blood sugar as adjustments to medications might be needed as it may lower the level of blood sugar.
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9. Treat Dengue
Many studies suggest that papaya leaf juice can effectively treat dengue fever. The papaya leaf extracts can help in reducing the symptoms of dengue like high fever, skin rash, etc. Apart from this its anti-Dengue properties also boost up the count of platelets in the blood. Thus, it is an effective home remedy for treating dengue fever.
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10. Reduce Inflammation
The papaya fruit contains two proteolytic enzymes – chymopapain & papain acts as a natural painkiller. This enzyme increases the body’s production of protein called cytokines that help to regulate inflammation. It may reduce acute pain burns or bruises & inflammatory markers. from caused by arthritis, asthma and similar conditions.
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11. Alzheimer’s disease
A study found that extracts of fermented papaya powder may neutralize the effects of oxidative stress in people living with Alzheimer’s disease and slow the progression of the illness, The extract of papaya for six months can reduce the biomarker that cause oxidative stress to DNA.
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12. Anticancer Properties
Papayas are rich in antioxidants that protect cells from free radicals, reduce oxidative damage & lower the risk of cancer. It contain a carotenoid that has anti-cancer properties known as lycopene. Papaya contains the antioxidant beta-carotene which offers protection from prostate cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer cells.
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Possible Health Risks of Eating Papaya
- People with a latex allergy should be cautious while eating papaya because it contain enzymes called chitanases which can cause a cross-reaction with latex which can cause severe breathing difficulty.
- A study suggest Papaya consumption during pregnant is unsafe as high amount of latex may cause uterine contractions and early labor. Apart from this, unprocessed papain may cause birth defects.
- If you are taking papaya, you should stop 2-3 weeks before surgery as studies suggested fermented papaya can lower blood sugar and might affect blood sugar levels during and after surgery.
Conclusion
The superfood papaya can be eaten in both raw and ripen state. Unripe papayas can be used in some cooked dishes or raw in salads. Papayas with red and orange skin are riper that are soft to the touch. Just cut & scoop out seeds and flesh.
As discussed, the benefits of papaya consumption are many – prevent many diseases, boost immunity, aids weight loss, a meat tenderizer etc. You should try this sweet, healthy and pocket friendly fruit and I bet you would be loving this fruit very much.
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