Papaya Benefits

Papaya is "A Most Nutritious Fruit".According to the United States Recommended Daily Allowances. Papaya was #1 in the fruit ratings.

Papaya is an excellent source of:
Vitamin A, C & E, Folic Acid, Potassium, Copper
Phosphorus, Iron , Fiber, Calcium, Beta-carotene

Papaya is recommended by practitioners of homeopathic medicine for people with stomach ailments such as heartburn, stomach distress, diarrhea, ulcers and even Montezuma's revenge. If consumed regularly, it is also thought to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, help prevent strokes and fight heart and bowel disease, while clearing your complexion.

Nutritional values of papaya
Calories 57
Vitamin C 37 mg
Fibre 2,6 mg
Vitamin E 1 mg
Per 100g

Maximising the benefits of papaya
As beta- cryptoxanthin is best absorbed by the body when eaten with fat, it is a good idea to eat papaya as part of a meal, rather than on their own.

Health Benefits of Papaya
Heart disease: Papayas may be very helpful for the prevention of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease.

Papayas are an excellent source of vitamin C as well as a very good source of vitamin E and beta-carotene, three very powerful antioxidants.

These nutrients help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. Only when cholesterol becomes oxidised is it able to stick to and build up in blood vessel walls, forming dangerous plaques that can eventually cause heart attacks or strokes.

High cholesterol: Papayas are also a very good source of fibre, which has been shown to lower high cholesterol levels.

The folic acid found in papayas is needed for the conversion of a substance called homocysteine into benign amino acids. If unconverted, homocysteine can directly damage blood vessel walls and is considered a significant risk factor for a heart attack or stroke.

Cancer: Papaya's fibre is able to bind to cancer-causing toxins in the colon and keep them away from the healthy colon cells.

In addition, papaya's folate, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and vitamin E have each been associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer. These nutrients provide synergistic protection for colon cells from free radical damage to their DNA.

Increasing your intake of these nutrients by enjoying papaya is an especially good idea for individuals at risk of colon cancer.

Inflammation: The enzymes contained in papaya have been shown to help lower inflammation and to improve healing from burns.

In addition, the antioxidant nutrients found in papaya are also very good at reducing inflammation. This may explain why people with diseases that are worsened by inflammation, such as asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, find that the severity of their condition is reduced when they get more of these nutrients.

A July 2004 study indicates that vitamin C-rich foods, such as papaya, provide humans with protection against inflammatory polyarthritis, a form of rheumatoid arthritis involving two or more joints. The findings, presented in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases were drawn from a study of more than 20,000 subjects who kept diet diaries and were arthritis-free when the study began.

Subjects who consumed the lowest amounts of vitamin C-rich foods were more than three times more likely to develop arthritis than those who consumed the highest amounts.

Other benefits: The fibre found in papayas may also help with the symptoms of those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.

In addition, vitamin C and vitamin A, which is made in the body from the beta-carotene in papaya, are both needed for the proper function of a healthy immune system. Papaya may therefore be a healthy fruit choice for preventing such illnesses as recurrent ear infections, colds and flu.

The Ayurveda experts have regarded papain as a remedy for abdominal disorders. It is a good medicine for dysentery, hyperacidity, dyspepsia and constipation.

Pimples are removed by rubbing the white pulp of raw papaya on the face. It brings lustre to the face and removes wrinkles.

This site is for educational purposes only. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. If you have, or suspect you have a health problem, you should consult your doctor

Papaya