Papaya has many health benefits. Papaya is low in calories, nutritionally rich; therefore, it is one of the best foods for those who are on diet. Due to its many health and medicinal benefits; it is used widely all over the world. The fruit has given the name “The Fruit of the Angels” by Christopher Columbus.
Papaya is good for digestion
Papaya contains papain and chymopapain which helps to aid in natural digestion. These proteolytic enzymes break the protein into simpler forms i.e. amino acid thus allow better digestion. Papaya is also effective in the case of a person suffering from constipation and indigestion due to high dietary fiber content. In the advanced stage, the digestive enzyme secretion is get reduced, therefore eating papaya stimulates the secretion of these enzymes.
Papaya for heart disease treatment
There is a good relation between papaya and cardiac health care. Papaya seeds contain antioxidants that prevent cardiac diseases like myocardial infarction, diabetes, and stroke. The presence of pro-carotenoid phytonutrients also good for the heart. The presence of Potassium in papaya helps in maintaining heart rate and blood pressure. The antioxidants prevent the accumulation of cholesterol thus plaques in the blood arteries. The fibrous aspects of papaya also help to break down the complicated compounds into simpler ones. The antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E along with beta-carotene and lycopene prevent cholesterol thus discourage plaque formation thereby prevents heart attack and strokes.
Papaya for cancer prevention
Papaya is rich in antioxidants which help the body to fight against cancer-causing cells. Papaya’s dietary fiber binds the cancer-causing cells in the colon and flushes out carcinogenic cells from it. The presence of antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and beta-carotene prevents cancer and especially, facilitates a healthy colon. Papaya also acts as a cleanser. When its juice is taken with bean; works as a natural and herbal cleanser. Papaya contains anti-inflammatory enzymes that are beneficial in the case of arthritis, edema, and osteoporosis. The proteolytic enzyme in papaya is having anticancer benefits and helps to digest the fibrin protein layer of cancer cells.
Papaya for nausea treatment
Papaya is beneficial in the treatment of nausea, morning sickness, and motion sickness. It is also beneficial for pregnant ladies when it took in small quantities. It is suggested that during pregnancy, one should consult the doctor before taking papaya for morning sickness. Papaya prevents nausea and shows a good result when taken along with pineapple juice. The presence of vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate in papaya also give relief in case of motion sickness.
Papaya removes worms
Papaya helps to expel out worms. It removes worms from the stomach; one should take two spoons of papaya seeds along with honey twice a day. The seeds, leaves, and milk of papaya can also be used to kill intestinal worms
Papaya is good for sex
Papaya enhances male virility. Papaya is having an enzyme called arginine which helps to flow blood movement around the penis. Arginine acts on nitric acid which works on smoothing of penis muscles. Regular use of papaya helps to treat erectile dysfunction.
Papaya prevents aging
Papaya is beneficial in preventing premature aging. Due to the presence of different important phytonutrients, it helps to digest food in a smooth manner. When the peel is rubbed on the face and left for 5 minutes, gives a glow to the skin due to the presence of alpha-hydroxy acids. However, one shouldn’t apply the papaya for longer times as it may cause irritation. When the mix of papaya and milk is applied over the face, it helps to remove acne, blackheads, blemishes, and pimples. The antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids also help in removing wrinkles. Papaya prevents anti-aging because of detoxification properties and makes the skin soft and glowing.
Papaya for inflammation treatment
Papaya is having protein digestive enzymes like papain and chymopapain which helps to lessen inflammation Papain has the ability to break down protein in the skin thus helps to remove dead cells from the skin. The antioxidants of papaya also help at reducing inflammation.
Papaya for dandruff treatment
Papaya is good for hair. Shampoos that contain the ingredients of papaya are useful in preventing dandruff. In the making of a papaya hair mask, one should require 100 grams of peeled papaya, 100 gram of banana, 100 gram of curd, 1 tsp of molasses, and 1tsp of coconut oil. Grind all these components and apply on hair. Covered your head to maintain heat and left for 40-50 minutes and wash your hair. This combination is good for softening hair.
Papaya for arthritis treatment
Papaya is known for important enzymes like papain and chymopapain. These enzymes are helpful in reducing inflammation related to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Papaya also contains antioxidants-vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotene which show anti-inflammatory properties against arthritis thus helps to heal up burning. So, a person suffering from osteoporosis, arthritis, and edema should take papaya regularly.
Papaya for fair skin
Papaya is one of the few fruits that are used for skin glowing and face packs. Its benefits are great which helps to get rid of acne, blemishes, wrinkles, and pimples as papaya help to open clogged pores. Papaya’s papain destroys dead cells from the skin and breaks down the inactive proteins thus gives it a smooth touch. The papaya face pack is helpful to make skin fairer and lightning. The presence of antioxidants –vitamin C, vitamin E, lycopene, and beta-carotene helps in skin protection by defeating free radicals. Papaya’s facial applications help to enhance the elasticity of the skin. All these nutrients are good for skin acre.
Papaya for weight loss
Papaya is good for those who want to lose weight naturally. Papaya is low in calories and nutritionally, it is adequate of nutrients. On the other hand, it also helps to fill your stomach that reduces the desire for more eating. Due to enough fiber content, it also smoothes the digestive system that directly or indirectly impacts other body systems.
Papaya prevents cold
Papaya is rich in vitamin A and vitamin C which helps to enhance the immunity of the body thus prevents the person from cold, cough, flu, and fever. Regular eating of papaya prevents these diseases. Papaya is rich in antioxidants that help to strengthen the immune system of the body and facilitate healthy health.
Papaya is good for the eyes
The eating of papaya is good for the eye. Papaya contains beta-carotene, carotenoids, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These phytonutrients are good for the eyes and eye muscles. It is also reported that taking lutein and zeaxanthin reduces the risk of age-related muscular degeneration. Both lutein and zeaxanthin also prevent different eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataract.
Nutritional facts of papaya
Papaya has lots of nutrients and is of high nutritional benefits. 100 gram of papaya is having the following nutrients: Calories (39 k cal), Sugars (5.90 gram), Carbohydrate (9.81 gram), Dietary Fibre (1.8 gram), Fat (0.14 gram), Protein (0.61 gram), Vitamin A (328 microgram), Vitamin (0.04 mg), Vitamin B2 (0.05 mg), Vitamin B3 (0.338 mg), Vitamin B6 (0.1 mg), Vitamin B9 (38 mg), Vitamin C (61.8mg), Calcium (24 mg), Iron (0.10 mg), Magnesium (10mg), Phosphorous (5 mg), Potassium (257 mg), Sodium (3mg).
Besides this, it also contains fat, carbohydrate, protein, water, and ash. In fats, it contains saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, Omega-3 fatty acid, and omega-6 fatty acids. It also contains zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium.