Acknowledgement: This section on Papaya's is provided by Lord's Glory Ministry for educational purposes only. For those who want to go on diets and or improve your health, we advise you to first see your doctor or a professional nutritionist. Our information on "Food" and "Health" is based on a variety of health sources and information, which is intended for individuals to make informed chooses about their health.
Papaya's And The Seeds
Top 6 Secret Health Benefits of Papaya
The papaya is an incredibly healthy tropical fruit. It's loaded with antioxidants that can reduce inflammation, fight diseases and help keep you looking young. Papaya has already been known around the world, as one of the best fruit with a lot of nutrition inside. Since papaya is one of an easy-to-find fruits, nowadays people tend to underestimate the health benefits of papaya and papaya seeds. Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which can break down the tough protein chains found in muscle meat.
Papaya Seeds are amazingly beneficial for our body also, but many people do not know the health benefits of papaya seeds. Many people just through out this seeds after they have gotten the fruit.
Papaya Seeds are amazingly beneficial for our body also, but many people do not know the health benefits of papaya seeds. Many people just through out this seeds after they have gotten the fruit.
If the papaya is ripe, it can be eaten raw. However, unripe papaya should always be cooked before eating — especially during pregnancy, as the unripe fruit is high in latex, which can stimulate contractions (1Trusted Source).
Papayas are shaped similar to pears and can be up to 20 inches (51 cm) long. The skin is green when unripe and orange when ripe, while the flesh is yellow, orange or red. The fruit also has many black seeds, which are edible but bitter. One small papaya (152 grams) contains (2):
Papayas are shaped similar to pears and can be up to 20 inches (51 cm) long. The skin is green when unripe and orange when ripe, while the flesh is yellow, orange or red. The fruit also has many black seeds, which are edible but bitter. One small papaya (152 grams) contains (2):
- Calories: 59
- Carbohydrates: 15 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
- Vitamin C: 157% of the RDI
- Vitamin A: 33% of the RDI
- Folate (vitamin B9): 14% of the RDI
- Potassium: 11% of the RDI
- Trace amounts of calcium, magnesium and vitamins B1, B3, B5, E and K.
1. Has Powerful Antioxidant Effects:
Free radicals are reactive molecules created during your body's metabolism. They can promote oxidative stress, which can lead to disease.
Antioxidants, including the carotenoids found in papayas, can neutralize free radicals (4Trusted Source).
Studies note that fermented papaya can reduce oxidative stress in older adults and people with prediabetes, mild hypothyroidism and liver disease (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).
Also, many researchers believe that excessive free radicals in the brain are an important factor in Alzheimer's disease (9Trusted Source).
In one study, people with Alzheimer's given a fermented papaya extract for six months experienced a 40% drop in a biomarker which indicates oxidative damage to DNA — and is also linked to aging and cancer (10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source).
The reduction in oxidative stress is attributed to papaya's lycopene content and ability to remove excess iron, which is known to produce free radicals (12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).
Free radicals are reactive molecules created during your body's metabolism. They can promote oxidative stress, which can lead to disease.
Antioxidants, including the carotenoids found in papayas, can neutralize free radicals (4Trusted Source).
Studies note that fermented papaya can reduce oxidative stress in older adults and people with prediabetes, mild hypothyroidism and liver disease (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).
Also, many researchers believe that excessive free radicals in the brain are an important factor in Alzheimer's disease (9Trusted Source).
In one study, people with Alzheimer's given a fermented papaya extract for six months experienced a 40% drop in a biomarker which indicates oxidative damage to DNA — and is also linked to aging and cancer (10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source).
The reduction in oxidative stress is attributed to papaya's lycopene content and ability to remove excess iron, which is known to produce free radicals (12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).
2. Has Anticancer Properties:
Research suggests that the lycopene in papaya can reduce cancer risk (12Trusted Source). It may also be beneficial for people who are being treated for cancer (14Trusted Source). Papaya may work by reducing free radicals that contribute to cancer. Additionally, papaya may have some unique effects not shared by other fruits. Among 14 fruits and vegetables with known antioxidant properties, only papaya demonstrated anticancer activity in breast cancer cells (15Trusted Source). In a small study in older adults with inflammation and precancerous stomach conditions, a fermented papaya preparation reduced oxidative damage (16Trusted Source). However, more research is needed before recommendations can be made.
Research suggests that the lycopene in papaya can reduce cancer risk (12Trusted Source). It may also be beneficial for people who are being treated for cancer (14Trusted Source). Papaya may work by reducing free radicals that contribute to cancer. Additionally, papaya may have some unique effects not shared by other fruits. Among 14 fruits and vegetables with known antioxidant properties, only papaya demonstrated anticancer activity in breast cancer cells (15Trusted Source). In a small study in older adults with inflammation and precancerous stomach conditions, a fermented papaya preparation reduced oxidative damage (16Trusted Source). However, more research is needed before recommendations can be made.
3. May Improve Heart Health:
Adding more papaya to your diet may boost your heart health. Studies show that fruits high in lycopene and vitamin C may help prevent heart disease (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source). The antioxidants in papaya may protect your heart and enhance the protective effects of “good” HDL cholesterol (19Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source). In one study, people who took a fermented papaya supplement for 14 weeks had less inflammation and a better ratio of “bad” LDL to “good” HDL than people given a placebo. An improved ratio is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease (20Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source).
Adding more papaya to your diet may boost your heart health. Studies show that fruits high in lycopene and vitamin C may help prevent heart disease (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source). The antioxidants in papaya may protect your heart and enhance the protective effects of “good” HDL cholesterol (19Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source). In one study, people who took a fermented papaya supplement for 14 weeks had less inflammation and a better ratio of “bad” LDL to “good” HDL than people given a placebo. An improved ratio is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease (20Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source).
4. May Fight Inflammation:
Chronic inflammation is at the root of many diseases, and unhealthy foods and lifestyle choices can drive the inflammatory process (22Trusted Source). Studies show that antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables like papaya help reduce inflammatory markers (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source). For example, one study noted that men who increased their intake of fruits and vegetables high in carotenoids had a significant decrease in CRP, a particular inflammatory marker (26Trusted Source).
Chronic inflammation is at the root of many diseases, and unhealthy foods and lifestyle choices can drive the inflammatory process (22Trusted Source). Studies show that antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables like papaya help reduce inflammatory markers (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source). For example, one study noted that men who increased their intake of fruits and vegetables high in carotenoids had a significant decrease in CRP, a particular inflammatory marker (26Trusted Source).
5. May Improve Digestion:
The papain enzyme in papaya can make protein easier to digest. People in the tropics consider papaya to be a remedy for constipation and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In one study, people who took a papaya-based formula for 40 days had significant improvement in constipation and bloating (27Trusted Source). The seeds, leaves and roots have also been shown to treat ulcers in animals and humans (28Trusted Source, 29Trusted Source).
The papain enzyme in papaya can make protein easier to digest. People in the tropics consider papaya to be a remedy for constipation and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In one study, people who took a papaya-based formula for 40 days had significant improvement in constipation and bloating (27Trusted Source). The seeds, leaves and roots have also been shown to treat ulcers in animals and humans (28Trusted Source, 29Trusted Source).
6. Protects Against Skin Damage
In addition to keeping your body healthy, papaya can also help your skin look more toned and youthful. Excessive free radical activity is believed to be responsible for much of the wrinkling, sagging and other skin damage that occurs with age (30Trusted Source). The vitamin C and lycopene in papaya protect your skin and may help reduce these signs of aging (31Trusted Source). In one study, supplementing with lycopene for 10–12 weeks decreased skin redness after sun exposure, which is a sign of skin injury (32Trusted Source). In another, older women who consumed a mixture of lycopene, vitamin C and other antioxidants for 14 weeks had a visible and measurable reduction in depth of facial wrinkles (33Trusted Source).
In addition to keeping your body healthy, papaya can also help your skin look more toned and youthful. Excessive free radical activity is believed to be responsible for much of the wrinkling, sagging and other skin damage that occurs with age (30Trusted Source). The vitamin C and lycopene in papaya protect your skin and may help reduce these signs of aging (31Trusted Source). In one study, supplementing with lycopene for 10–12 weeks decreased skin redness after sun exposure, which is a sign of skin injury (32Trusted Source). In another, older women who consumed a mixture of lycopene, vitamin C and other antioxidants for 14 weeks had a visible and measurable reduction in depth of facial wrinkles (33Trusted Source).
The Bottom Line:
Papaya is rich in valuable nutrients and has a delicious taste. Its powerful antioxidants like lycopene may reduce your risk of many diseases — especially ones that tend to come with age, such as heart disease and cancer. It may also defend against the visible signs of aging, helping your skin remain smooth and youthful. Try adding this healthy and delicious fruit to your diet today.
Papaya is rich in valuable nutrients and has a delicious taste. Its powerful antioxidants like lycopene may reduce your risk of many diseases — especially ones that tend to come with age, such as heart disease and cancer. It may also defend against the visible signs of aging, helping your skin remain smooth and youthful. Try adding this healthy and delicious fruit to your diet today.