The papaya is a refreshing and sweet tropical fruit that can be enjoyed raw or juiced. Due to its important health benefits, some people even take papaya extract as a supplement. In spite of this, you have probably heard rather little about why this fruit is so good for your body. Read on to discover twelve interesting and surprising ways in which eating more papaya can improve and extend your life.
1) It can protect against heart disease and strokes:
The papaya contains a very high level of antioxidants, which helps to prevent the oxidation of ‘bad’ cholesterol (making it less likely that oxidized cholesterol will dangerously line the blood vessels). If the blood vessels are relatively free from the plaques that are caused by oxidized cholesterol, the body is less likely to end up with the restricted blood flow that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. A large amount of fiber found in the papaya also helps to reduce your cholesterol levels even further.
2) It promotes a healthy digestive system:
When ripe and soft, the papaya is easy to digest and also helps to prevent constipation due to the amount of fiber that it contains. In addition, papaya juice has been shown to at least somewhat reduce the severity of colon infections (perhaps due to the juice’s ability to break down mucus). Finally, the fact that papayas contain so much vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene means that consistently eating them is associated with a much lower risk of developing colon cancer.
3) Papaya seeds can help get rid of parasites and bacteria:
Some research suggests that papaya seeds can effectively kill intestinal parasites. For example, a study on Nigerian children revealed that seven days of being treated by papaya seeds left over 75% of the children cured of parasites. Of the children who took a placebo instead, only 17% were cured. Studies have also shown that papaya seeds can help to fight E. coli, Staph and Salmonella infections.
4) It can significantly help to protect against prostate cancer:
In one fascinating and rigorous study, it was shown that men who drink lots of green tea and eat lots of papayas (as well as other lycopene-rich foods) have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. The impact of such a diet is impressive, as the men who drank the most green tea or ate the most papaya during the study turned out to be as much as 86% less likely to develop prostate cancer. Since then, other studies have suggested that combining green tea with papaya consumption has an even more impressive cumulative impact on a man’s likelihood of suffering from prostate cancer.
5) It has anti-inflammatory properties:
The papaya contains papain and chymopapain, protein-digesting enzymes that can help to lower the body’s inflammation levels (and can even improve the rate at which burns heal). In addition, vitamin C and vitamin E are very good at reducing inflammation, and both of these are abundant in the papaya. There is more vitamin C in one papaya then can be found in even a serving of oranges or lemons. All of these facts make the papaya an ideal regular snack for those suffering from arthritis, asthma, and other inflammatory disorders.
6) It helps to keep the lungs healthy:
Researchers at Kansas State University have discovered that vitamin A helps to reduce smoke-related damage to the lungs. The papaya is a great source of vitamin A, so it is perfect for this task. Specifically, vitamin A helps to protect the lungs against emphysema, a common condition in those who are exposed to cigarette smoke (whether actively or passively).
7) It can help to keep blood pressure healthy:
When fresh, papaya will provide you with as much as 257mg of potassium per 100g. This works to counter the effects of sodium in the body, helping to keep both heart rate and blood pressure at healthy levels.
8) It helps the body to digest and absorb protein:
As mentioned above, the papaya contains a strong digestive enzyme called papain. This enzyme is excellent at digesting protein, and it encourages the digestive system to absorb more protein. This makes the papaya an ideal fruit for those who are weak from tiredness or disease, as protein helps to build up the body and make it stronger.
9) It can help with allergies:
The papaya is thought to be a highly effective natural anti-histamine, meaning that it is the perfect snack for those who suffer from allergic rhinitis.
10) It helps to protect the eyes from macular degeneration:
Those who eat fruits that are rich in antioxidant vitamins are as much as 36% less likely to develop macular degeneration (which is the main cause of sight loss in older people).
11) It can boost the immune system:
If you want to avoid suffering from annoying illnesses such as the cold and the flu, regularly eating more papaya will help. This is because the papaya contains beta-carotene, which aids the body in the production of vitamin C and vitamin A (both of which are required for a robust immune system).
12) It may help to protect you against arthritis:
It has been shown that foods which are rich in vitamin C (such as the papaya) are associated with a lower risk of developing a particular kind of rheumatoid arthritis. Further, those who do not eat enough vitamin C each day are up to three times more likely to develop arthritis.
As is obvious from the above health benefits, the papaya is an excellent choice if you want to increase your daily intake of fruits and vegetables. When picking out papaya, look for one that has smooth skin and no bruises. If the papaya is ripe, store it in the fridge and then bring it back to room temperature around an hour before serving. Papaya juice tastes great with a few drops of lemon, while fresh papaya can be added to salads and tastes delicious on its own.
