Papayas are a delightful fruit from the ‘Carica tree’ which is commonly found in the Caribbean. The papaya is indigenous to tropical America. This fruit surprisingly goes by many names that include: Papol\Gaslabu (Sinhalese), mamão, fruta bomba (Cuba), lechosa (Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic), and papaw (Sri Lankan English).
There are many varieties in india. Common varieties:Coorg Honey DewPusa DwarfPusa Giant, Pusa,majesty, Pusa Delicious, CO.1,CO.2, CO.3, CO.4, CO.5, CO.6 and Popular Varieties are Washington and Burliar Long.
Ripe fruits are usually eaten raw, without the seeds and without the skin .The unripe green fruit is usually eaten in curries, salads, and stews after is has been cooked. Papaya contain vitamins A, C, E and K as well as folate, potassium and dietary fibers. The fruits also contain the enzyme papain and an anti-helminthic alkaloid called carpaine, which can both be dangerous in high doses.
Lowers cholesterol and prevent heart diseases
The fibre, potassium and vitamin content in papaya help to prevent heart diseases. The fiber, help to reduce LDL cholesterol levels in the body, lowering risk for cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke. Vitamin E and vitamin C help in preventing the cholesterol from sticking to the walls, thereby keeping your heart healthy.
Papaya is one of the richest food sources of folate, is needed for the conversion of a substance called homocysteine can directly damage blood vessel walls and, if levels get too high, associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
A study showed that papaya taken over 14 weeks antioxidants may protect your heart and enhance the protective effects of HDL.
MAIN THING: Papaya's fibers, vitamins and mineral content can improve heart health and may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Cancer
Papaya is a rich source of antioxidants, phytonutrients and flavonoids that prevent your cells from undergoing free radical damage that contribute to prevent cancer development and progression.
An antioxidant called lycopene, papaya is lycopene-rich fruits, that reduce the risk of developing cancers in many organs, also retard the growth of tumors.
Another antioxidant is beta-carotene, found in papayas, may reduce cancer risk. Another study found that flavonoids found in papaya seed may help to reduce cancer risk.
MAIN THING: Papaya and papaya seed may reduce cancer risk and slow the development of cancerous cells.
Weight loss
Papaya is low in calories and providing significant amounts of fiber, folate and vitamins A and C. The fiber content in papaya will make you feel full and clear your bowel movement. Folate,vitamins A and C and other antioxidants burn the extra fat that help flattening out your belly.
A study conducted on Brazilian overweight adults found the relevance of increased intakes of fruits and vegetables that may help avoid weight gain.
MAIN THING: Papayas are good for lose weight, people who are trying naturally.
Boosts immunity
The immune system defends our body against invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, and foreign bodies which cause common cold, flu, ear infections etc. A great source of vitamin A, B, C, and K and antioxidants in papaya that scavenge the free radicals that boosts your immunity.
One study conducted on rat that antioxidant and immunostimulant effects of papaya extract helps to induced oxidative stress and improvement of Immune functions.
MAIN THING: Papaya boosts your immunity so preventing such illnesses as recurrent ear infections, colds and flu.
Diabetes
Papaya is a low-sugar content even though it is sweet to taste so it is an excellent food options for diabetics. The high fiber content in papaya, that help to maintain blood sugar level and cholesterol.
Many researchers have found 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.
MAIN THING: Papaya include in diet can lower blood glucose levels and prevent diabetes.
Papaya is rich in Vitamin A and flavonoids like beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, and lutein which helps protect your vision from degenerating. and zeaxanthin found in papaya that filters out harmful blue light rays that harm the retinas that reduces the risk of macular degeneration.
A study suggests that high intake of zeaxanthin and lutein can significantly reduce your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).
MAIN THING: Adding papayas into diet may ward off macular degeneration and improve your vision.
Digestive disorders include heartburn, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, gas, stomach pain, and stomach cramps can affect the quality of your life.
The digestive enzyme known as papain along with fibre found in papaya in which The papain that eases many stomach ailments and aids digestion and High fiber and water, both of which help to prevent constipation and promote regularity and a healthy digestive tract.
In One study, found that papaya improved constipation, Heartburn, painful (straining) bowel movements and bloating symptoms and overall contributed to the maintenance of digestive tract. another study on rat, found that seed of the papaya has the gastroprotective and healing effects.
MAIN THING: Papaya was used to treat all kinds of stomach ailments, including indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, and stomach ulcers that can help keep your digestive system healthy.
Regulates period cycle
Menstruation period is a natural process in women, usually painful. The papain enzyme found in papaya help to regulate and blood flow during period in women. Papaya also stimulates the estrogen hormone production, thereby normalizing the Menstruation cycle.
MAIN THING: Papayas are recommended in painful and irregular periods.
The papain and chymopapain enzymes and choline present in papayas, reduce the inflammatory process.
Testing of Inflammation can be measured by several blood markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Studies have shown that carotenoids found in papaya help to reduce inflammatory process in body.
MAIN THING: Papayas are very high in carotenoids and enzymes that can reduce inflammation.
Protects against arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. As discussed papaya have anti-inflammatory properties.
Vitamin C in papaya which helps to protect against inflammatory polyarthritis, a form of rheumatoid arthritis involving two or more joints.
Chymopapain, One of the enzymes found in papayas, that has a significant effect on controlling rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Papaya is also rich in Vitamin K and minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and copper are important in maintaining good bone health
MAIN THING: Papaya intake helps to maintain strong bones and effective against rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Papaya is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E and antioxidants like beta-carotene which helps prevent your skin from free radical damage keeping wrinkles and other signs of ageing at bay.
The vitamin C and lycopene in papaya protect your skin and may help reduce these signs of aging.
The enzyme papain in the flesh and skin of papaya fruit and chymopapain actually breaks down dead skin cells and helps promote skin renewal when used topically on the face or body.
When used topically, mashed papaya appears to be beneficial for promoting wound healing and preventing infection of burned areas and to improve skin’s texture, elasticity and appearance and also help to Moisturizes Skin, Clears Pigmentation, Reduces Wrinkles, Reduces Under-Eye Dark Circles, Controls Acne Breakout, Treats Melasma, Removes Tan and Cures Eczema And Psoriasis.
MAIN THING: Papaya include in diet that defend against wrinkling and prevent other skin problems.
Papaya is a good source of folic acid and vitamin A and papaya seed has antifungal properties that contribute overall hairhealth.
Folic acid that helps improves circulation to the hair follicles and promotes hair growth.
Fungal infection is one of the main causes of dandruff. Due to antifungal properties of papaya seeds help in controlling and preventing dandruff.
Sebum is your body’s natural oil, and its production keeps your hair conditioned.
High vitamin A content in papaya promotes the production of sebum that keeps your hair conditioned and restore the life of your hair and make it soft and hydrated
MAIN THING: Papaya may Stimulates Hair Growth, Controls Dandruff and Conditions your Hair.
Papaya is Safe in food amount.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Papaya is Unsafe
Diabetes and Low blood sugar: Avoid consuming papaya
Papain allergy: Papaya contains papain. If you are allergic to papain, avoid eating papaya
Surgery: you should stop 2 weeks before surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction with Warfarin (Coumadin)
Selection
Select papaya yellow to orange in color, possibly with a few freckles. Avoid fruit with bruises or abrasions.
Storage
Refrigerate ripe papayas in a plastic bag up to 1 week. To speed ripening, place in a brown paper bag at room temperature. Once the papaya ripens, refrigerate immediately, up to 3 days.
Drlogy
