The 11 Benefits Of Papaya, A Delicious Tropical Fruit
Sweet and refreshing flavor, Papaya is a fruit that attracts special attention due to its exotic orange color and pear shape
It is a fruit native to southern Mexico and Central America, which is now cultivated in most tropical countries. There are two main types of papaya: the Mexican, heavier, and the Hawaiian, smaller.
In addition to its delicious flavor, this exotic fruit provides a series of benefits for our health. They are the ones we show you below.
1. Promotes digestion
One of the health benefits of this delicious fruit is its power to promote digestion , this is due to an enzyme present in papaya that helps in the breakdown of proteins. It is preferable to eat the fruit to achieve all the benefits; However, a natural papaya juice is known to be a home remedy for problems related to digestion or constipation.
2. Reduces bad cholesterol levels
This exquisite and attractive fruit contains a large amount of antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C , elements that act against the increase in cholesterol in the arteries. As a result, papaya consumption prevents the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries from causing cardiovascular problems. Likewise, the flavonoids present in papaya act against the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
3. Prevents diabetes
There are many investigations that have concluded that Raw papaya could help keep blood sugar stable (avoiding hyperglycemia) and cholesterol due to the high fiber content, which would be important for the prevention of diabetes.
According to a study carried out by the Center of Excellence for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research at the University of Mauritius, fermented papaya is a preventive element for diabetes. In some countries, papaya flowers are even used in different culinary dishes for their preventive power against this disease.
4. Prevents cancer
Papaya is a food that helps prevent cancer , since its antioxidants help reduce free radicals that contribute to the development and progression of this disease. Science has shown that it contains lycopene, which reduces the risk of cancer.
Researchers have also found that this fruit is effective against breast cancer and pancreatic cancer, and in fact, one study found that papaya leaf extract has anti-carcinogenic effects. This study was carried out by a researcher from the University of Florida, named Nam Dang, together with a group of Japanese researchers.
5. Improves skin health
Papaya takes care of the skin, as it works as a revitalizing agent and, for this reason, it is used in many cosmetics They are also often used in homemade masks, as this fruit eliminates dead cells and purifies the skin. The beneficial properties and healing enzymes present in papayas help treat sunburn and irritated skin. Papayas are also used to treat skin disorders such as eczema.
6. Anti-inflammatory properties
The enzymes present in papayas, especially papain and chymopapain, reduce inflammation in different parts of the body. Research showed that people who increased their intake of this fruit, with a high carotenoid content, had a significant decrease in inflammation.
7. Improves the immune system
Papaya is a great source of vitamin A, B, C and K and is therefore beneficial for the immune system It also promotes the growth of body tissues, including hair and skin. Helps in the maintenance of collagen, the structural protein of connective tissues.
Papaya also fights pain, and specifically arthritis , since it is a fruit rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and copper. Regular consumption over a long period of time appears to be effective in maintaining control over arthritis.
Therefore, it is possible to enjoy these kinds of benefits of papaya by incorporating it into desserts or snacks, whether chopped or in smoothies.
9. Improves cardiovascular health
Papaya improves cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of heart problems Papaya seeds are good for having a healthy vital organ, as they contain three powerful antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E.
Studies suggest that papaya prevents atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases due to the presence of pro-carotenoid phytonutrients, which helps prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in the body, as I have previously mentioned.
10. Improves vision
Eating papaya is beneficial for our eyesight, specifically, it prevents macular degeneration, a condition in which eye cells degrade, resulting in blurred vision and sometimes blindness.
Macular degeneration generally occurs with age. Studies suggest that papaya may be beneficial in preventing this eye damage thanks to its high beta-carotene content According to a study published in Archives of Ophthalmology, consuming 3 or more daily servings of fruit or vegetables with this component (for example, papaya or carrot) can reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
11. Prevents infections
Studies also suggest that papaya prevents intestinal infections and helps reduce tooth pain In the latter case, there is a home remedy based on papaya that appears to be beneficial for toothache. It consists of making a paste with papaya and massaging it directly on the sore tooth or gums.
