Papaya is a nature’s gift. Most people use papaya. It is also used commercially. There are many cosmetic products that are there which is made up of papaya. Papaya is used as a cure for many diseases according to Ayurveda. Papaya benefits are vast, and it can be used for a healthy stomach, during pregnancy, and others. Papaya benefits for the skin are also great, and it is a major USP for natural beauty products these days.
Did you know that one small papaya contains about 300% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C?
Papaya is a jumbo offering of health benefits. Known for being a sweet and tropical fruit, papaya is also called the fruit of angels.
Biological source
Papaya is the plant source of the carica papaya.
Family:- caricaceae
Chemical constituent:- There are many chemical constituents present in Carica papaya. The most important chemical constituent is;- papain, carpaine, benzyl isothiocyanate, lycopene etc.
Description:- Its origin is in the tropics of the Americas.
Alternative names:- Fruit of the Angels.
Papaya Nutritional value
Papaya has very light calories, and it has high antioxidants as well as has anti-inflammatory, anti-pigmentation, antibacterial and laxative properties. Papaya has been used to treat a wide range of ailments and diseases.
Papayas are an excellent source of vitamin C, and one single medium fruit provides 224 percent of recommended daily intake. One medium papaya has approximately, 120 calories. 30 grams of carbohydrate, including 5 grams of fiber and 18 grams of sugar.
The papaya fruit benefits include that it is very low in calories (just 43 calories/100 g) and contains no cholesterol; nonetheless, it is a rich source of phytonutrients, minerals, and vitamins.
Fresh, ripe papaya is one of the fruits with the highest vitamin-C content, providing 60.9 mg.
It is also a great source of vitamin A and flavonoids like β -carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin.
Papaya fruit is also rich in many essential B-complex vitamins such as Folic acid, pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), riboflavin, and thiamin (vitamin B-1).
Fresh ripe papaya also contains a good amount of potassium (257 mg per 100 g) and calcium.
Fresh ripe papaya has 8mg sodium while calcium(20mg) iron(0.25mg), magnesium(21mg) phosphorus(10mg) and zinc(0.8mg).
So overall we can say that it is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals.
Papaya Rich Contents
As we previously discussed that papaya is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals. Although there are following properties of papaya that can be so effective for your body;-
Rich in fiber
Carica papaya is a great source of fiber. Fiber is responsible to absorbs toxins in the colon that can cause cancer and eliminating them from the body through bowel movements.
Dietary fiber also provides nourishment to some good bacteria which is present in our stomach.
Due to its rich fiber content, papaya aids digestion and imparts a beautiful glow to your skin from its enzymes.
Rich in antioxidants
The antioxidants present in papaya may help to strengthen immunity and eliminate free radicals that are hazardous to your health. This fruit contains more amount of beta-carotene than carrots by weight.
Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food or when you’re exposed to tobacco smoke or radiation. Antioxidants also prevent the activation of cancer cells.
Rich in bioflavonoids
Bioflavonoids are also known as vitamin P. These are semi-essential nutrients that are needed in very little quantity by the body.
It works as nature’s modifiers and responds to biological changes in the body. The bioflavonoids in papaya modify the reaction of the body to viruses, carcinogens, and allergens, thereby protecting it from harmful and life-threatening diseases.
Papaya vitamins and minerals
Papaya has many vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D along with Na, K, Ca, z, mg, ph, fe etc.
It also aids wound healing, can reduce the risk of cancer due to oxidative stress, and boosts your immunity to fight common ailments such as cold and cough. This fruit is also full of vitamin A and minerals like phosphorus, iron, potassium, copper, manganese, calcium, and magnesium. Vitamin A is required to maintain healthy vision, while phosphorus is needed for good heart health.
Na is responsible for heart health as well as muscle movement. Ca is also responsible for heart health and muscle contraction and relaxation. Iron is responsible for blood volume and hemoglobin quantity. Zinc is an immune booster.
Papaya side effects
Papaya is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals, but it can be responsible for some life-threatening side effects if it is taken in certain circumstances.
- Consuming too much papaya may have a laxative effect, causing diarrhea and an upset stomach.
- For sensitive individuals, papaya fruit may cause severe allergic reactions. On the skin, papaya latex can be a severe irritant and vesicant. High doses of papaya leaves may cause stomach irritation.
- Unripe papaya fruit is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. There is some evidence that unprocessed papain, one of the chemicals found in unripe papaya fruit, might poison the fetus or cause birth defects.
- Ripe papaya fruit is commonly consumed in foods. There isn’t enough reliable information to know if papaya is safe to use as medicine when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
- If you have a latex allergy, use caution with papaya or products that contain papaya. You may also be allergic to papaya.
- Studies have reported that eating green papaya during pregnancy is dangerous because it may lead to miscarriage.
- Excessive consumption of papaya fruit may cause esophageal damage and significantly low blood sugar levels.
- Before taking papaya you should also seek the advice of medical professional if you have thyroid gland problem.
- Papaya has high amounts of fibre content; while it may be great for people with constipation, excessive consumption of it could lead to an upset stomach. Moreover, the skin of the fruit contains latex that can irritate the stomach and cause pain and discomfort. The fibre in the fruit can also bind with the stools and cause diarrhoea, leaving you dehydrated.
- Fermented papaya could lower blood sugar levels, which can be dangerous for diabetics.
- Papaya has a chemical compound called papain can lead to certain allergies. Some of the reactions may include swelling, dizziness, headache, rashes and itching.
- The enzyme papain present in papaya is said to be a potential allergen. Excessive consumption could cause different respiratory disorders like asthma, congestion and wheezing.
Possible interaction
There are typically two types of papaya interaction that have been found with certain medications and supplements.
- Interaction with medications
- Interaction with remedies
Interaction with medications
People who use the following medications, have to be cautious before consumption of papaya.
Levothyroxine
Levothyroxine is a medicine used to treat an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). The thyroid gland makes thyroid hormone which helps to control energy levels and growth. Levothyroxine is taken to replace the missing thyroid hormone.
Eating large amounts of papaya might reduce the effects of levothyroxine.
Anti-diabetes drugs
Diabetes is the biggest threat in the medical field. Diabetes is the source of many other diseases. Many people use papaya and other fruits with such specific medications that can be life-threatening.
Papaya has chemicals and nutrients that are responsible for lowering the blood sugar level. This can be seriously life-threatening for hypoglycemic patients because hypoglycemic patients have lower blood sugar levels and if such patients take papaya along with anti-diabetes drugs this will result in too much dropping of blood sugar level.
Warfarin
Warfarin is a blood thinner medication. It works as an anticoagulant. That means it prevents the clotting of blood for some time.
Papaya might increase the effects of warfarin and increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Papaya benefits as remedies
Papaya lowers the blood sugar level and increases the blood clotting time, so it might be risky to take papaya along with such remedies which are being used for hypoglycemia and anticoagulation.
Papaya Health Benefits
There are many benefits of papaya because it has the storehouse of various vitamins and minerals.
I am going to discuss some health benefits of papaya;-
Papaya decreases the risk of cancer
A study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Prevention & Biomarkers suggests that the intake of the antioxidant beta-carotene found in papaya decreases the risk of cancer.
Some studies suggest that papaya has anti-cancer properties that can protect against different types of cancers including that of the cervix, breast, liver, lung, and pancreas. Studies show that papaya seed extracts can have chemotherapeutic effects.
Papaya seeds are rich in flavonoids that can reduce the risk of cancer by arresting the development of cancerous cells. Rich in antioxidants like lycopene, beta-carotene, and carotenoids, this fruit works in reducing the damage caused by free radicals in the body.
Immunity booster
We know that you already know a good deal about immunity-boosting fruits, but we can’t possibly finish this ode to papaya fruit without mentioning its benefits for your immune system. Papaya is packed with iron, folate, B6, calcium, magnesium, vitamins A, C, B1, B3, B5, E, K, and potassium making it the perfect food to keep your body going.
Papaya reduces inflammation
Papaya has vitamin A which is responsible for reducing inflammation. According to the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, the amount of papain and chymopapain enzymes present in the fruit is beneficial in reducing inflammation.
Papaya benefits for stress
Nowadays, stress is very common. There are stresses in every corner of life. Having a plateful of papaya can help reduce stress. This sweet fruit contains active enzymes as well as vitamin C that can help restore your energy levels.
Several studies have shown that our body needs about 200 mg of vitamin C to regulate the flow of stress hormones, and one large papaya contains a whopping 476 mg of vitamin C
Papaya benefits for digestion
Papaya contains two proteolytic enzymes, papain and chymopapain, which improve digestion. These enzymes help to break down and digest proteins and are thus known as powerful digestive aids. In folk medicine, it was used to treat all kinds of stomach ailments, including indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, and stomach ulcers.
Papaya is a rich source of dietary fiber, which is very good for your digestive system. Papaya contains a protein-dissolving enzyme called papain that eases many stomach ailments and aids digestion.
Apart from this, papaya also eases constipation.
Papaya prevent arthritis
Arthritis is a painful disorder that causes inflammation in the joints. Papaya also has anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to the compound papain. This makes it a potent food to fight against diseases like arthritis, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Helps in irregular periods
Its enzymes help regulate and ease the flow of blood during periods. This fruit also stimulates the estrogen hormone in the body and helps you deal with painful cramps. Papaya can help you in irregular periods.
Helps in periods of pain
Papayas are often recommended to those who have painful and irregular periods.
The papain enzyme helps regulate and ease the flow of blood during menstruation. Papaya also stimulates the production of estrogen, thereby helping to assist in normalizing the period cycle.
Papaya benefits for heart health
Papaya is a powerhouse for vitamins and minerals that support the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Papaya is one of the healthiest fruits available, and it can help keep your heart healthy.
This exotic fruit is rich in vitamins A and C. They help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, which stops it from clogging the blood vessels. This helps reduce the risk of heart attacks.
This fruit also helps to reduce the risk of a heart attack, and its fiber, potassium, and vitamin content promote good heart health.
Your companion in weight loss journey
This low-calorie fruit is excellent for weight loss. The fiber content in papaya will make you feel full and may regulate bowel movements. This may facilitate weight loss. The presence of powerful antioxidants can contribute to inflammation control, and obesity is associated with inflammation.
If you’re looking for foods to add to your weight loss diet, then do consider this humble fruit 100 grams of which only contains 43 calories.
Good for eyes
Papaya has an antioxidant called zeaxanthin that filters out rays that harm the retinas. Additionally, papayas contain vitamin A and flavonoids like beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, and lutein. These keep the mucus membranes in the eyes healthy and protect them from damage. Eating papaya is a really good habit for healthy eyes.
Wound healing supplement
Applying crushed papaya seeds to wounds can help in their faster healing.
Papaya seeds show significant antimicrobial activity that helps kill the bacteria in the wound and promotes faster healing.
The juice you get from green papayas is a wonderful natural remedy to prevent swelling and pus formation when applied to wounds.
Helps in throat disorder
When green papaya juice is mixed with honey, it can help reduce the inflammation of tonsils a symptom of diphtheria, and other problems related to the throat. It helps dissolve the infectious membrane and prevents the spread of infection.
Activation of HGH
Human growth hormone is an important hormone for humans as well as all creatures. Human growth hormone promotes bone growth and its strength.
Papaya nourishes the endocrine system and promotes the production of arginine in the body. Arginine is a type of essential amino acid that is known to activate the human growth hormones (HGH)
These hormones play a key role in rebuilding bones, muscles, skin, and liver cells, and promote overall cell rejuvenation.
Fight with fungal infection
Papaya milk contains carotene, and this compound, if consumed daily, can help treat ringworm infection along with traditional medical medications. It’s because, in papaya milk’s anti-inflammatory properties, it eases inflammation and redness caused by the infection.
Papaya benefits for piles
Hemorrhoids (also called piles) are swollen and inflamed veins that are found in and around the rectum or anus. Piles are also a common problem. Every 10th person is suffering from piles.
Having papayas on a regular basis may soothe the swollen blood vessels in that area, offering relief from those painful hemorrhoids.
Prevent irritable bowel disease
Irritable bowel disease occurs when your stomach can not digest the protein sufficiently. Fiber is useful in irritable bowel disease. Papaya has fiber that prevents irritable bowel disease.
Papayas are also rich in a number of proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzymes that aid proper bowel movements.
Treats nausea
Nausea is common in pregnant women. Sometimes nausea is due to indigestion or acidity.
Papaya is beneficial for pregnant women when it is consumed in small quantities. It can help ease morning sickness, nausea, and motion sickness due to the presence of vitamins C and E and folate.
The ultimate cure for vitiligo
There are about 15% population is suffering from vitiligo. It is a skin disorder in which white patches appear on the skin.
Applying a paste of ripe papaya on the affected area will boost melanin production, helping skin to restore to its normal color.
You can also consume papaya juice to aid the internal healing of vitiligo.
Increase the blood platelet count
There is a drastic loss of platelets in dengue fever.
In regular areas, there is a very famous and old treatment of blood platelet count booster and that is leaves of papaya.
You have to just crush the papaya leaves and use it along with goat’s milk. Trust me it is a panacea for dengue fever and boosts the blood platelet count.
Controls the birth rate
Birth rate control is very crucial for any country’s development. There are many medications, injections available in the market. These work very well, but if you don’t want to use any chemical medication, use papaya as a natural remedy.
Although women consume a large quantity of unripe green papaya to avoid pregnancy across the globe. It is also known to cause abortion when directly applied to the uterus.
Increase lactation in women
There are cases of less lactation. It occurs due to less secretion of prolactin hormone that is responsible for lactation in women after pregnancy.
Raw papaya has enzymes and nutrients that boost the prolactin hormone levels.
Papaya face mask for skin
Papaya is very beneficial for the skin. It soothes the skin and increases its glow of the skin. This is due to vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc, iron, etc.
But most people don’t know the way to use papaya for the skin.
So I am going to discuss some ways of using papaya.
DIY Papaya face mask for shining skin
For shinning skin, lemon and papaya is needed. Lemon has vitamin C and citric acid that is responsible for boosting the shine of skin.
How to make a lemon papaya face mask for shining skin?
- Mash the papaya and mix in the freshly-squeezed fresh lemon juice to it. Mix well.
- Apply this pack to your face and keep it on for 10 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.
Dose
Use it 2-3 times a week.
DIY Papaya Face Mask for tanned skin
For tanned skin, a tomato, and papaya are needed. Nutrients in tomatoes are said to help restore the skin’s natural color and help fight pigmentation.
How to make a tomato papaya face mask for tanned skin?
Mash the ripe papaya and mix it with the pulp of the tomato. Ensure you achieve a smooth paste before application. Next, you need to evenly spread the mixture on your face and neck, covering all exposed skin. Let it dry for 20 minutes, after some time rinses with lukewarm water.
Dose
Use it 2-3 times a week.
DIY Papaya Face Mask for Acne
Acne is the most common problem. It is caused by hormonal changes, environmental effects, dust,, and dirt.
There is also lemon and papaya combination along with honey is useful. Antimicrobial properties of honey and astringent properties in lemon juice, help to cleanse the skin and unclog pores, killing harmful bacteria.
How to make honey, lemon, and papaya combination with sandalwood powder for acne-prone skin?
Cut the papaya into small pieces and mash them.
Add the honey, lemon juice, and sandalwood powder, and mix well. Ensure the sandalwood has no lumps. Apply this face pack evenly to your face and affected areas. Leave the mask on your face for at least 15 minutes. The longer you let the mask dry and harden, the better. Rinse it off with cold water.
Dose
Use it 2-3 times a week.
DIY Papaya Face Mask for dry skin
Dry skin occurs in the winter season. Honey, papaya is needed along with milk for a good therapeutic effect.
Honey has immense hydrating properties, in addition to its antimicrobial and therapeutic benefits. It can help keep your skin soft, supple, and smooth. Milk contains lactic acid that is said to help exfoliate the skin.
Way to use papaya, honey, and milk for dry skin
Chop the papaya into small pieces and mash them.
Add milk and honey to the mashed papaya. Mix well to obtain a fine paste. Apply this pack all over your face and neck.
Dose
Use at least 1 or 2 times a week.
NOTE:- Do not add milk to the face pack if you are allergic to dairy. You can add another tablespoon of honey instead.
Papaya for Oily skin
Oily skin has great chances to get pimples and acne. Just orange and papaya are needed.
Orange and papaya contain vitamin C, and the juice is believed to work as a natural astringent and reduce excess production of sebum.
Way to use papaya and orange juice combination
Chop the ripe papaya into pieces. Squeeze the juice from the orange wedges, and mix with the chopped papaya. Mix well till you get a smooth paste. Apply to your face and neck, and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with cold water.
Dose
Use twice a week for better results.
Benefits of papaya for stomach
There are many benefits of papaya for the stomach, as we have previously discussed.
However, eating papaya can be really helpful for many stomach problems such as;-
- Indigestion
- Constipation
- Acidity
- Bloating
- Irritable bowel problems
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
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