Papaya is a tree like tropical plant with significant sources of Vitamin C. Its unique feature is that it is available all over the world. Its fruit, seeds, peel, latex and even leaves has amazing uses. It can help in digestion and can also be used as a meat tenderizer.
Papayas offer numerous benefits covering health as well as beauty. Here are the top 10 health benefits you can derive by eating papayas.
The health benefits of papaya include:
Aids in Digestion
Papayas are commonly for an aid in digestion. The presence of papain, a digestive super enzyme, improves digestion by breaking down proteins and also cleanses the digestive tract. This ensures a reduced conversion of protein into body fat. If the protein in our diet is not digested properly, it may cause arthritis, constipation, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other related health conditions.
Weight Loss
Papayas are also good for people who are trying to lose weight naturally. Having a bowl full of papaya as a mid-evening or mid-morning snack is good for health.
Prevents Infections
Papayas are effective for killing intestinal worms, thereby avoiding infections and complications associated with them.
Relieves Toothache
A paste of fresh papaya roots can be rubbed onto the teeth and gums to get relief from toothaches. The bark of the tree, primarily the inner bark, is also an excellent remedy for tooth problems. (Somonsohn, 2002).
Anticancer Properties
Researchers have discovered that papayas are effective against breast, pancreatic, and other cancers. A papaya leaf extract obtained from dried leaves produced anti-carcinogenic effects against tumor cells that were grown in the laboratory. It was observed in a study conducted by a University of Florida researcher Nam Dang, and his colleagues in Japan, that the effects were stronger when the cells were given larger doses of papaya leaf tea. The scientists exposed different types of cancer-affected cells to different papaya leaf extracts and found that the growth of tumors had slowed down. The fruit has gained credibility and has been used in many medicines for its anticancer powers.
Skin Care
Papayas can be great revitalizing agents, which is why they are used in many cosmetics. Also, papayas are used in homemade face masks by many women. Papain kills dead cells and purifies the skin. The beneficial properties and the healing enzymes present in papaya help to treat sunburn and irritated skin. A good facial massage using papaya is a fabulous remedy to remove the dead cells. If you are a person who spends most of your time outdoors, then papayas can be a great help, as papayas fight free radicals that age your skin. The peels of papayas are also used to rub on the face and hands for healthy skin. Papayas are also used to treat skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis, etc.
Reduces Acne & Burns
The latex obtained from papayas is used to treat the areas on the skin affected with acne. The fleshy side of the papaya skin can be used as a mask to cure acne. A diet which includes papayas will help cure the condition internally, making the skin clear. Got a burn? Use papaya. When the latex from the fruit is applied on burnt area, it helps in reducing the marks caused due to the burn.
Anti-inflammatory Effects
The enzymes present in papayas, especially the papain and chymopapain, reduce the inflammation in different parts of the body.
Treats Constipation
The presence of folate, vitamin C, and vitamin E in papayas reduces motion sickness by producing a tonic effect in the stomach and in the intestines. Papaya juice and the ripened form of papaya also aid in digestion. The fiber obtained from the fruit helps to increase bowel movements. Improved bowel movements help to ease the passage of stool, thereby reducing the effects of constipation (Pinoy B. 2010).
Regulates Menstruation
Papaya juice can be of great help for women with irregular menses. Consumption of green, unripe papayas can normalize the irregularity in the periodic cycle. Papayas are considered as a ‘hot food’, meaning that they produce heat in the body. This excessive production of heat in the body stimulates the estrogen hormone. This induces periods in the females. Hence, papayas can be beneficial to handle difficult menses.
Prevents Arthritis
Papayas have been known to be effective against rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. One of the enzymes found in papayas, called chymopapain, has a significant effect on controlling rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Improves Immunity
Papaya consumption has also been linked an improvement in the immune system of the body. Research conducted by Hiramoto, Imao, Sato, Inoue, and Mori from Japan is a proof that the antioxidants present in papaya play an important role in improving the immunity of people.
Flowers and roots of the plant have been proven to be beneficial against jaundice, bronchitis, kidney colic, and other illnesses.
