Papaya is a fruit from a tropical climate that has become popular for its characteristic flavor and color. In addition, it is a fruit rich in antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and nutrients that help improve the functioning of the body . In this way, by consuming this fruit daily you will take advantage of all the benefits that papaya provides.
This fruit has been linked to the control of cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, immune and bone diseases , and to help improve the health of the skin and hair. Learn about all the benefits of papaya when including it in your diet!
What is papaya?
Papaya is a fleshy fruit characteristic of the tropics . It has an oval and pyriform shape, and a weight between 500 g and 9 kg. The external part is yellowish green and inside is its juicy pulp with a pleasant flavor and orange or reddish colors. Dark gray or brown seeds are found in female fruits.
Papaya is known as the noble fruit for its antioxidant and antacid properties that make it perfect as a companion to meals to improve health. In addition, it is a rich source of minerals and vitamins that help improve the functioning of the body.
Nutritional contribution of papaya
According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), for every 100 g of papaya you can hydrate yourself with 88.06 g of water and obtain various minerals and vitamins.
- Water: 88.06 g.
- Energy: 43 kcal or 179 kJ.
- Protein: 0.47 g.
- Lipids: 0.26 g.
- Carbohydrates: 10.82 g.
- Dietary fiber: 1.7 g.
- Sugars: 7.82 g.
- Calcium: 20 mg.
- Iron: 0.25 mg.
- Magnesium: 21 mg.
- Phosphorus: 10 mg.
- Potassium: 182 mg.
- Sodium: 8 mg.
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C): 60.9 mg.
- Thiamine (vitamin B1): 0.23 mg.
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2): 0.27 mg.
- Niacin (vitamin B3): 0.357 mg.
- Pathogenic acid (vitamin B5): 0.191 mg.
- Pyridoxine (vitamin B6): 0.038 mg.
In addition, it offers less zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, folate, folic acid, vitamins A and K, carotene, and saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Benefits that papaya brings to the body when including it in your diet
It is a powerful antioxidant and cleanser
Papaya is high in vitamin C, flavonoids, carotene, lycopene and various nutrients that make this fruit a powerful antioxidant. In this way, it helps protect cells from aging and free radicals .
For its part, it is also rich in dietary fiber that helps eliminate toxins from the body and, in this way, purify it.
Improves the immune system
This fruit is rich in vitamins A, B, C and K, which help improve and strengthen the immune system . Thanks to this feature, it can help you avoid or improve your body's response to the flu.
Control free radicals
Thanks to the carotenoids, some powerful antioxidants that papaya has, it can control free radicals to avoid oxidative stress and possible diseases such as Alzheimer's . Likewise, papaya also has lycopene, which helps control iron in the body to prevent it from producing free radicals.
Papaya is used in patients with prediabetes, liver disease, cancer and mild hypothyroidism to control them and avoid possible complications.
Reduces the risk of cancer
Papaya is a fruit rich in antioxidants such as lycopene, which can help reduce the risk of cancer by reducing free radicals. This fruit is believed to be one of the most effective in controlling cancer cells, especially those of breast cancer.
However, there is not enough scientific research to prove these anticancer benefits.
Improves heart health
Papaya is rich in vitamin C, lycopene, fiber, potassium, sodium, folic acid, and antioxidants, which help improve heart health by controlling bad cholesterol (LDL) and enhancing the effects of good cholesterol (HDL). In addition, it is related by its properties as a fruit that helps prevent cardiovascular diseases such as strokes, blocked arteries and heart attacks.
Reduces inflammation
Papaya is a food with a high content of carotenoids, which can help reduce chronic inflammation and prevent diseases caused by these. Due to the various benefits that papaya provides, it is usually recommended in case of trauma and inflammation in the body.
Reduces constipation and improves digestion
This fruit is rich in papain, an enzyme that helps facilitate the digestion of food . In addition, it is recommended in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, heartburn, hiatal hernia or constipation, as it helps control them.
Likewise, the leaves, seeds, and roots are often used to treat stomach ulcers and protect the digestive tract and stomach . On the other hand, thanks to its properties that help break down proteins, it is used to tenderize meats.
Helps control arthritis
Because this fruit is rich in minerals such as copper, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, it helps to control arthritis pain and slow its progress.
Improves skin health
Thanks to the antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that papaya contains, it can help improve the appearance and health of the skin. Lycopene and vitamin C are related to the control of free radicals, which can promote sagging skin, wrinkles and aging.
In addition, this fruit can help protect and recover the skin from damage caused by the sun.
Avoid macular degeneration and cataracts
Papaya is high in zeaxanthin, lutein, and beta-carotene, antioxidants that help protect the eyes from the damaging effects of the sun . In this sense, this fruit can help prevent and control macular degeneration and cataracts that affect sight.
Control asthma
Thanks to the beta-carotene that papaya has, it is related to the control and prevention of respiratory diseases such as asthma . In addition, due to its various nutrients, it can help strengthen the respiratory system.
Improves bone health
Papaya has among its compounds vitamin K, which is related to the absorption of calcium and the health of the bone system . This vitamin helps bones develop healthy and strong, helping their regeneration.
Helps control blood sugar
Due to its high content of dietary fiber, papaya helps control glucose, lipid and insulin levels in the blood . In this sense, it is recommended in patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes to improve their health.
Improves the health and appearance of hair
Thanks to the vitamins that papaya offers, it is perfect for hair care . Vitamin A promotes the growth of hair and other tissues, as well as the production of bait to keep it hydrated. For its part, vitamin C promotes the production of collagen that helps strengthen hair.
Improves skin health
Thanks to its antioxidant and healing properties, papaya is used topically to prevent infection in burns and promote better healing . The enzyme papain is used to control pressure ulcers.
In addition, being a food rich in antioxidants, beta-carotene and vitamins C and E, it helps to protect the skin from aging and cell damage.
Helps eliminate intestinal parasites
Papaya is seen as a powerful antiparasitic thanks to its enzymes and components . In addition, papaya leaves are rich in proteolytic enzymes and the alkaloid carpaine, which can eliminate intestinal worms. In this sense, the leaves, seeds and pulp are used to eliminate intestinal parasites.
Helps normalize menstrual cycles
Thanks to the fact that this fruit usually produces excessive heat, it is related to the stimulation of the estrogen hormone that helps normalize menstrual cycles . In addition, due to the effects of papain, it helps regulate and facilitate flow during menstrual cycles, reducing pain.
Helps maintain acid-base balance in the body
This fruit offers various minerals such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and potassium, which help balance the body and improve its functioning.
It is ideal for athletes
Papaya is a fruit rich in water, fibers, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and nutrients in general that provide the body with energy and promote its proper functioning.
Contraindications
Papaya is not recommended for people allergic to latex , as it has an enzyme called chitanase that can cause similar effects. Similarly, it should not be consumed in people with digestive problems due to its laxative properties.
In addition, as a preventive measure, it should not be ingested when presenting kidney stones or being under medical treatment with diuretics and anticoagulants , as it can cause adverse effects.
conclusion
Papaya is a tropical fruit that, thanks to its medicinal properties, helps improve the functioning of the body . It is a rich source of fluids, fibers, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, enzymes and nutrients that will help you feel better.
Among the benefits that papaya provides when consumed, the control of free radicals and its anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic and antioxidant properties stand out . In addition, it helps prevent bone, cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive diseases. However, despite its benefits, it can cause allergies in some people, so it will be important to stop using it and consult a doctor in case of adverse effects.
References
- Sameer, J. (2015, January 3). 11 health benefits of papayas. MSN. https://www.msn.com/en-in/health/nutrition/11-health-benefits-of-papayas/ar-AA2bCze.
- Spritzler, R. (2018, December 06). 8 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Papaya. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-proven-papaya-benefits#section1.
- US Department of Agriculture. (2019, April 1). Papayas, raw. FoodData Central. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169926/nutrients.
