Sweet deliciously soft, butter-like consistency, it is no wonder the papaya was reputably called the "fruit of the angels" by Christopher Columbus. Papaya, Paw Paw, Papaw, Tree Melon (botanical name Carica Papaya), it has oblong shape, normally greenish yellow, yellow or orange color. It is a large tree plant fruit usually reaching 2.5kg. It has bitter sweet taste and comes from tropical places.
Papaya's seeds are edible, although their peppery flavor is somewhat bitter. The fruit, as well as the other parts of the papaya tree, contain papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins. This enzyme is especially concentrated in the fruit when it is unripe. Papain is extracted to make digestive enzyme dietary supplements and is also used as an ingredient in some chewing gums.
Papayas offer not only the luscious taste and sunlit color of the tropics, but are rich sources of antioxidant nutrients such as carotenes, vitamin C and flavonoids; the B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid; and the minerals, potassium and magnesium; and fiber. Together, these nutrients promote the health of the cardiovascular system and also provide protection against colon cancer. In addition, papaya contains the digestive enzyme, papain
Weight loss
Appealing for the fitness freaks and my adolescent readers, is not it?? Many dietitians have a ‘papaya weight loss program’ in their diet programs. You must be wondering by now how Papaya and weight loss are linked together. Papaya is a rich source of vitamin A and C. Apart from these vitamins, papaya is also known to be a rich source of fibre and potassium. These nutrients help the cardiovascular system and protect the colon from cancer. This fruit is cholesterol and fat free, apart from being low in calories.
Immune Support
Vitamin C and vitamin A, which is made in the body from the beta-carotene in papaya, are both needed for the proper function of a healthy immune system. Papaya may therefore be a healthy fruit choice for preventing such illnesses as recurrent ear infections, colds and flu.
Promotes Digestive Health
The nutrients in papaya have also been shown to be helpful in the prevention of colon cancer. Papaya's fiber is able to bind to cancer-causing toxins in the colon and keep them away from the healthy colon cells. In addition, papaya's folate, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and vitamin E have each been associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer.
These nutrients provide protection for colon cells from free radical damage to their DNA. Increasing your intake of these nutrients by enjoying papaya is an especially good idea for individuals at risk of colon cancer.
Protection Against Heart Disease
Papayas may be very helpful for the prevention of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. Papayas are an excellent source of vitamin C as well as a good source of vitamin E and vitamin A (through their concentration of pro-vitamin A carotenoid phytonutrients), three very powerful antioxidants.
These nutrients help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. Only when cholesterol becomes oxidized is it able to stick to and build up in blood vessel walls, forming dangerous plaques that can eventually cause heart attacks or strokes. One way in which dietary vitamin E and vitamin C may exert this effect is through their suggested association with a compound called paraoxonase, an enzyme that inhibits LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol oxidation.
Papayas are also a good source of fiber, which has been shown to lower high cholesterol levels. The folic acid found in papayas is needed for the conversion of a substance called homocysteine into benign amino acids such as cysteine or methionine. If unconverted, homocysteine can directly damage blood vessel walls and, if levels get too high, is considered a significant risk factor for a heart attack or stroke.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Papaya contains several unique protein-digesting enzymes including papain and chymopapain. These enzymes have been shown to help lower inflammation and to improve healing from burns. In addition, the antioxidant nutrients found in papaya, including vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, are also very good at reducing inflammation. This may explain why people with diseases that are worsened by inflammation, such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, find that the severity of their condition is reduced when they get more of these nutrients.
Protection against Macular Degeneration
Your mother may have told you carrots would keep your eyes bright as a child, but as an adult, it looks like fruit is even more important for keeping your sight. Data reported in a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology indicates that eating 3 or more servings of fruit per day may lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, by 36%, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily. In this study, which involved over 110,000 women and men, researchers evaluated the effect of study participants' consumption of fruits; vegetables; the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E; and carotenoids on the development of early ARMD or neovascular ARMD, a more severe form of the illness associated with vision loss.
Protection against Rheumatoid Arthritis
While one study suggests that high doses of supplemental vitamin C makes osteoarthritis, a type of degenerative arthritis that occurs with aging, worse in laboratory animals, another indicates that vitamin C-rich foods, such as papaya, provide humans with protection against inflammatory polyarthritis, a form of rheumatoid arthritis involving two or more joints.
Promote Lung Health
If you or someone you love is a smoker, or if you are frequently exposed to secondhand smoke, then making vitamin A-rich foods, such as papaya, part of your healthy way of eating may save your life, suggests research conducted at Kansas State University.
Papaya for the Skin
A papaya face pack can also be made using the fruit. Papaya is a product from nature which is used in many skin lightening creams. Many of the lotions or creams which are used to make the face lighter or fairer contain papaya as an ingredient. Papaya also helps in getting rid of acne because when papaya is applied as a face pack it helps to open the pores. Papaya makes the skin glow. Papaya contains the enzyme papain which helps to dissolve dead skin , thus imparting a fresh and clean glow to the face.
A papaya face pack can also be made using the fruit. Papaya is a product from nature which is used in many skin lightening creams. Many of the lotions or creams which are used to make the face lighter or fairer contain papaya as an ingredient. Papaya also helps in getting rid of acne because when papaya is applied as a face pack it helps to open the pores. Papaya makes the skin glow. Papaya contains the enzyme papain which helps to dissolve dead skin , thus imparting a fresh and clean glow to the face.
PAPAYA SEED NOT TO BE LEFT UNSEEN
Antibacterial Properties
Research has found that papaya seeds are effective against E. coli, Salmonella, and Staph infections.
Research has found that papaya seeds are effective against E. coli, Salmonella, and Staph infections.
Kidney Protection
Research has found that papaya seed extract may protect the kidneys from toxin-induced kidney failure.
Research has found that papaya seed extract may protect the kidneys from toxin-induced kidney failure.
Eliminates Intestinal Parasites
There is evidence that papaya seeds eradicate intestinal parasites. In a study done on Nigerian children with intestinal parasites, 76.7% of the children were parasite-free after seven days of treatment with papaya seeds compared to only 16.7% of the children who received a placebo.
There is evidence that papaya seeds eradicate intestinal parasites. In a study done on Nigerian children with intestinal parasites, 76.7% of the children were parasite-free after seven days of treatment with papaya seeds compared to only 16.7% of the children who received a placebo.
Liver Detoxifier
In Chinese medicine, it is believed that a teaspoon of papaya seeds will help detoxify the liver. Papaya seeds are often recommended by natural doctors in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver.
In Chinese medicine, it is believed that a teaspoon of papaya seeds will help detoxify the liver. Papaya seeds are often recommended by natural doctors in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver.
Is it safe to eat papaya during pregnancy?
People believe that it is unsafe to eat papayas during pregnancy. This belief, however, is only partially true: an unripe or even a semi-ripe papaya is rich in concentrated latex and research indicates that it may trigger uterine contractions.
A well-ripened papaya, on the other hand, is rich in vitamins and nutrients and recommended for pregnant women in moderate amounts. A ripe papaya is rich in vitamin C and is effective in preventing and controlling constipation and heartburn. Also, ripe papaya portions mixed with honey and milk is considered to be an excellent tonic during pregnancy and lactation.
Due to the mixed views about whether it is safe to eat papayas during pregnancy many prefer to avoid papayas altogether, especially during the first trimester. But in the end, it is a personal decision that should be made after consulting your dietician.
A well-ripened papaya, on the other hand, is rich in vitamins and nutrients and recommended for pregnant women in moderate amounts. A ripe papaya is rich in vitamin C and is effective in preventing and controlling constipation and heartburn. Also, ripe papaya portions mixed with honey and milk is considered to be an excellent tonic during pregnancy and lactation.
Due to the mixed views about whether it is safe to eat papayas during pregnancy many prefer to avoid papayas altogether, especially during the first trimester. But in the end, it is a personal decision that should be made after consulting your dietician.
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