What is papaya?
Papaya is a sultry fruit, like pineapple or banana. It has
rich orange flesh, which is sweet, and becomes sweeter as it ripens. The seeds
of the papaya become a slightly peppery flavor.
The papaya blossoms on trees and these trees are planted in
several locations all around the world. Most prominently, the trees are grown
in Mexico and South America. It is also a popular crop in Hawaii and has been
for a long time.
The fruit must be picked before it becomes ripe.
Consequently, it is picked when the skin is green or yellow-green, and it will
become fully yellow as it ripens. The flesh inside of the fruit is normally
orange, but some varieties are pink or red. Interestingly, while the seeds are
edible, the skin is not.
The fruit can produce to be very large, up to twenty pounds!
The average papaya, however, is approximately six inches long, pear-shaped, and
weighs approximately two pounds. It is typically sold beneath the name papaya,
though it is also known as pawpaw, and tree melon.
When purchased fully ripe (with yellow skin) it can be
consumed raw, though must be cut open first. Getting a bite of the skin is not
good for you, but the sweet flesh within is a delicious snack. Some recipes
call for a green papaya, which is the immature form of the fruit. This is
normally treated more like a vegetable, and the seeds are white at this point
of ripeness. This kind of fruit must be cooked before eating. Typically, this
ingredient is found in Asian cuisines more than in Western recipes.
Papayas as the fruit of the angels. The fruit which is
extremely rich in Vitamin C has a wide range of papaya health benefits making it a
great fruit option to include in your diet.
11 health benefits of papayas
Here are some health benefits of papaya
1. Lowers cholesterol
Papaya is abundant in fiber, Vitamin C, and antioxidants
which block cholesterol build-up in your arteries. Too much cholesterol
build-up can drive to several heart diseases including heart attack and
hypertension.
2. Helps in weight loss
Those seeming to lose weight must combine papaya in their
diet as it is very low in calories. The fiber content in papaya gives you
feeling full and also clears your bowel action making your weight loss management easier.
3. Boosts your immunity
Your immunity system works as a shield against various
infections that can make you sick. Single papaya includes more than 200% of
your daily requirement of Vitamin C, making it excellent for your immunity.
4. Good for diabetics
Papaya is an attractive food option for diabetics as it produces
a low sugar content even though it is sweet to taste. Also, people who don’t
possess diabetes can eat papaya to stop it from happening.
5. Great for your eyes
Papaya is generous in Vitamin A which helps preserve your
vision from degenerating. Nobody needs to lose their ability to see due to
diseases like age-related macular degeneration, and eating papayas will
guarantee that you do not see a day where you cannot see.
6. Protects against arthritis
Arthritis can be a debilitating disease and people who
possess it may find their quality of life reduced significantly. Eating papayas
are good for your bones as they have anti-inflammatory qualities along with Vitamin C which helps in keeping various forms of arthritis at bay. A study
written in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases revealed that people who consumed
foods low in Vitamin C were three times more likely to have arthritis than
those who didn’t.
7. Improves digestion
In today’s times, it is near difficult to avoid eating foods
that are bad for your digestive system. Usually, we find ourselves having junk
food or restaurant food prepared in excessive quantities of oil. Having papaya
daily can make up for such specific mistakes, as it has a digestive enzyme
known as papain along with fiber which supports improve your digestive health.
8. Helps ease menstrual pain
Women who are undergoing menstrual pain should help
themselves to several servings of papaya, as an enzyme called papain helps in
monitoring and easing flow during menstrual periods.
9. Prevents signs of aging
All of us would love to stay youthful forever, but no one in
this world has managed to do it. Still, healthy habits like eating a papaya
daily will prolong the process and may make you look 5 years younger than you
are. Papaya is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and antioxidants like
beta-carotene which helps stop your skin from free radical damage keeping
wrinkles and other signs of aging at bay.
10. Prevents cancer
Papaya is a rich source of antioxidants, phytonutrients, and
flavonoids that block your cells from undergoing free radical damage. Some
studies have also associated the consumption of papaya with a reduced risk of
colon and prostate cancer.
11. Helps reduce stress
After struggling hard for the whole day, it is a good idea
to come home to a plate of papayas. The miracle fruit is rich in several
nutrients like Vitamin C which can hold you free from stress. According to a
study conducted at the University of Alabama, found that 200 mg of Vitamin C
can help improve the flow of stress hormones in rats. Due to stress your may have a problem like hair loss. For best hair loss treatment contact best hair specialist in Hyderabad or best dermatologist in Hyderabad.
Side-Effects & Allergies of Papaya (Papita)
Papaya is dangerous to pregnant women. It is deemed a ‘hot’
fruit. Latex, present in high concentrations in raw and semi-ripe papayas,
induces uterine contractions which strength lead to abortions. Overconsumption
of papaya may result in gastrointestinal irritation. It can generate a powerful
laxative effect in the intestines.
Unripe or raw papaya can provoke pain in the intestines or
stomach, and can sometimes create esophageal perforations. The black seeds of
the papaya include traces of an enzyme called carbine, which is a potentially
toxic substance.
This enzyme can make the nerve centers to numb, which could
manage paralysis or cardiac depression. In several cases, the narrowing of
blood vessels also occurs, which is created due to Carpine or car paring.
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
- Nutrients per Serving
Medium-sized papaya (approximately 275 grams) contains
about:
- 119 calories
- 1.3 grams of protein
- 30 grams of carbohydrates
- Less than 1 gram of fat
- 4.7 grams of dietary fiber
- 21.58 grams of sugar
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