HEALTH BENEFITS OF PAPAYA EATING
The scientific name of Papaya is Carica papaya. Papayas are originally
from Central America. They grow best in a tropical region . Freezing
temperatures may damage a papaya crop. Their sweet taste, vibrant color, and the
wide variety of health benefits they provide make them a popular fruit.
The possible health benefits of consuming
papaya include a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, aiding in
digestion, improving blood glucose control in people with diabetes, lowering
blood pressure, and improving wound healing.
Indigenous people in the 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 most fruitful
papaya-producing regions.
Papaya has many different names all over the
globe. In Australia, it’s called a pawpaw. In southern Asia, it’s sometimes
called a kepaya, lapaya, or tapaya. Its name in French is sometimes “figueir
des iles,”
blindness in children”
Health Benefits of Papaya Eating
Papaya has a powerful antioxidant effects. Free
radicals are reactive molecules created during your body’s metabolism.
Antioxidants, including the carotenoids found in papayas, can neutralize free
radicals.
Papaya has anticancer properties. Research
suggests that the lycopene in papaya can reduce cancer risks.
Papaya may improve digestion. The papain enzyme
in papaya can make protein easier to digest.
Papaya being a fruit, can be consumed more
often, even every day if you want, but the best option is to always consume all
the fruits you find in your area and vary, to have access to a greater amount
of nutrients. My recommendation is to consume a medium slice per day, which can
be consumed every day.
Papaya is high in fibre, as well as contains an
enzyme called papain both of which help to prevent constipation and promote
regularity and a healthy digestive tract and it 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.
Papaya contains choline that helps to maintain the
structure of cellular membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses,
assists in the absorption of fat, and reduces chronic inflammation.
Papaya’s high in Vitamin C and Lycopene content
can improve heart health and may reduce your risk of heart disease.
Papaya improves Immune System
Eating foods high in vitamin C can help to
boost the immune system, allowing the body to fight off bacterial and viral
illnesses. Papaya has a good amount of this antioxidant, making it part of an
immune-healthy diet.
Papaya is also a good source of Vitamin A,
another important vitamin for a healthy and functional immune system.
Potentially Protects Against Prostate
Cancer
Lycopene is a natural pigment found in foods
that are red or orange. Tomatoes, watermelon, and papaya are good sources of
lycopene. Some experts believe that eating more lycopene reduces the risk of
prostate cancer, but some studies have been inconclusive.
However, in other studies, eating a diet high
in lycopene along with green tea reduced the risk of prostate cancer
significantly.
Papaya rich source of Nutrition
A medium-sized papaya contains more than 200%
of the vitamin C you need per day, helping to reduce the risk of heart disease
and boost the immune system. It’s also a good source of:
Folate
Vitamin A
Fiber
Copper
Magnesium
Potassium
Pantothenic Acid
Papaya has folic acid, which is essential for
converting the amino acid homocysteine into less harmful amino acids. High
levels of homocysteine, an amino acid primarily found in meat products, are a
risk factor for heart disease. So eating papaya in your diet may lower
homocysteine levels, reducing this risk factor.
Papaya Benefits |
Age-related macular degeneration
Zeaxanthin, an antioxidant found in papaya,
filters out harmful blue light rays. It is thought to play a protective role in eye
health, and it may ward off macular degeneration.
Papaya helps in Asthma prevention
The risk of developing asthma is lower in
people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients
is beta-carotene, contained in foods like papaya, apricots, broccoli,
cantaloupe, pumpkin, and carrots.
Papaya Helps in Improving Bone health
Low intakes of vitamin K have been associated
with a higher risk of bone fracture. Adequate vitamin K consumption is
important for good health, as it improves calcium absorption and may reduce
urinary excretion of calcium, meaning there is more calcium in the body to
strengthen and rebuild bones.
https://www.knowledgecredo.com/2022/11/what-is-cholesterol-its-causes-symptoms.html
Papaya helps to fight with Diabetes
Studies have shown that people with type 1
diabetes who consume high-fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels, and
people with type 2 diabetes may have improved blood sugar, lipid, and insulin
levels. One small papaya provides about 3 grams of fiber, which is equivalent
to just 17 grams of carbohydrates.
Papaya Good for Health |
Papaya has Anticancer Properties
Research suggests that the lycopene in papaya
can reduce cancer risk . It may also be beneficial for people who are
being treated for cancer . Papaya may work by reducing free radicals that
contribute to cancer. Additionally, papaya may have some unique
effects not shared by other fruits. Among 14 fruits and vegetables with known
antioxidant properties, only papaya demonstrated anticancer activity in breast
cancer cells .
Papaya is having antioxidant beta-carotene. Consuming the antioxidant beta-carotene, found in papayas, may reduce cancer risk. Among younger men, diets rich in beta-carotene may play a protective role against prostate cancer, according to a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Biomarkers
In a small study in older adults with
inflammation and precancerous stomach conditions, a fermented papaya
preparation reduced oxidative damage.
Papaya Improve Heart Health
Papayas contain high levels of antioxidants 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.
Additionally, papaya’s high fiber content may reduce the risk of heart disease. High-fiber diets lower cholesterol levels.
Adding more papaya to your diet may boost your
heart health. Studies show that fruits high in lycopene and
vitamin C may help prevent heart disease . The antioxidants in papaya may protect your
heart and enhance the protective effects of “good” HDL cholesterol .
In one study, people who took a fermented
papaya supplement for 14 weeks had less inflammation and a better ratio of
“bad” LDL to “good” HDL than people given a placebo. An improved ratio is linked to a reduced risk
of heart disease.
The fiber, potassium, and vitamin content in papaya all help to ward off heart disease. An increase in potassium intake along with a decrease in sodium intake is the most important dietary change that a person can make to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.
The reduction in oxidative stress is attributed to papaya’s lycopene content and ability to remove excess iron, which is known to produce free radical.
Papaya Fight Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is at the root of many
diseases, and unhealthy foods and lifestyle choices can drive the inflammatory
process .
Choline is a very important and versatile nutrient found in papayas that aids our bodies in sleep, muscle movement, learning, and memory. Choline also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, assists in the absorption of fat, and reduces chronic inflammation.
Studies show that antioxidant-rich fruits and
vegetables like papaya help reduce inflammatory markers .
For example, one study noted that men who
increased their intake of fruits and vegetables high in carotenoids had a
significant decrease in CRP, a particular inflammatory marker
Papaya Improve Digestion
The papain enzyme in papaya can make protein
easier to digest. People in the tropics consider papaya to be a
remedy for constipation and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Papaya is also high in fiber and water content, both of which help to prevent constipation and promote regularity and a healthy digestive tract.
In one study, people who took a papaya-based
formula for 40 days had significant improvement in constipation and bloating . The seeds, leaves and roots have also been
shown to treat ulcers in animals and humans.
https://www.knowledgecredo.com/2022/11/what-is-cholesterol-its-causes-symptoms.html
Papaya Improve Skin and healing
When used topically, mashed papaya appears to
be beneficial for promoting wound healing and preventing infection of burned
areas. Researchers believe that the proteolytic enzymes chymopapain and papain
in papaya are responsible for their beneficial effects. Ointments containing
the papain enzyme have also been used to treat decubitus ulcers (bedsores).
Papaya Improve Hair health
Papaya is also great
for hair because it contains vitamin A, a nutrient required for sebum
production, which keeps hair moisturized. Vitamin A is also necessary for the
growth of all bodily tissues, including skin and hair. Adequate intake of
vitamin C, which papaya can provide, is needed for the building and maintenance
of collagen, which provides structure to skin.
Papaya |
Papaya Protects Against Skin Damage
In addition to keeping your body healthy,
papaya can also help your skin look more toned and youthful. Excessive free radical activity is believed to
be responsible for much of the wrinkling, sagging and other skin damage that
occurs with age .
The vitamin C and lycopene in papaya protect
your skin and may help reduce these signs of aging . In one study, supplementing with lycopene for
10–12 weeks decreased skin redness after sun exposure, which is a sign of skin
injury .
In another, older women who consumed a mixture
of lycopene, vitamin C and other antioxidants for 14 weeks had a visible and
measurable reduction in depth of facial wrinkles.
Other Benefits of Papaya
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.
Side effects of Papaya
Papaya might harm the esophagus. Unripe papaya
fruit contains papaya latex, which contains an enzyme called papain. Eating a
lot of papain might damage the esophagus.
People with a latex allergy may also be allergic to papaya because papayas contain enzymes called chitanases. They can cause a cross-reaction between latex and the foods that contain them.
The Bottom Line
Papaya is rich in valuable nutrients and has a
delicious taste. Its powerful antioxidants like lycopene may
reduce your risk of many diseases especially ones that tend to come with age,
such as heart disease and cancer.
It may also defend against the visible signs of
aging, helping your skin remain smooth and youthful. Try adding this healthy and delicious fruit to
your diet today.
I hope after reading this article you all will include papaya to your daily diet. If you like this article kindly follow my blog www.knowledgecredo.com, Thank you .