There are many papaya
benefits for your health and this beautiful orange/yellow tropical fruit is
proof that nutritious food can also have an amazing taste.
Papaya, also known as pawpaw, is a rich source of
antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and special digestive enzymes that
have a remarkable effect both internally and externally.
If you’d like to improve your skin, relieve digestion
problems, protect your eyes and heart and possibly lower your risk of many
diseases like cancer, then consider the many benefits of eating papaya.
Papaya is Good for Your Eyes
Along with its beta-carotene content that can be converted
to vitamin A, so important to healthy eyes and vision, papaya also contains the
carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin.
Lutein and zeaxanthin, known as xanthophylls, are
concentrated in the macular region of our eyes. Here they provide protection
against high energy blue light that can damage our eye’s retinas. A good intake
of both lutein and zeaxanthin is believed to significantly reduce our risk of
developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)
The high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in papaya may also
protect us against developing cataracts, glaucoma, and other chronic eye
diseases. Other good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin are pumpkins, spinach,
broccoli and the yolks from free range eggs.
Skin Protection
Ripe papaya is a great source of antioxidant vitamin C,
vitamin E and carotenoids like beta-carotene and lycopene. The high levels of
these valuable nutrients can help protect your skin against free radicals known
to cause damage that leads to wrinkles and other visible signs of aging.
The enzyme papain in the flesh and skin of the fruit
actually breaks down dead skin cells and helps promote skin renewal when used
topically on the face or body. Papaya facial treatments are a popular way to
improve your skin’s texture, elasticity and appearance. They may also help with
wound healing and burns and even assist in the treatment of skin problems like
acne, blemishes and age spots.
Heart Disease and Papaya
The high levels of vitamin C and vitamin E along with
antioxidants like beta-carotene and lycopene in pawpaw can help reduce the
oxidization of cholesterol in our arteries. Cholesterol oxidization is
considered a dangerous process, potentially leading to arteries blocked with
plaque that can result in heart attacks. Increasing your intake of these
antioxidants from health foods like papaya may help improve blood flow to the
heart and reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Papaya is a good source of folate which helps control
homocysteine levels in the bloodstream. High levels of homocysteine in the
blood is known to damage blood vessels and is considered another potential
cause of cardiovascular disease.
The beneficial fiber in papaya can also help lower
undesirable LDL cholesterol levels in the blood by inhibiting its absorption
during digestion. This is yet another way eating this amazing superfood can
help protect us from heart disease and stroke.
Papaya Benefits Improve Digestion
The enzymes in papaya, and especially the green fruit, can
improve digestion by breaking down proteins into their individual amino acids.
Undigested proteins can lead to many health issues, such as gastrointestinal
problems and an overgrowth of flatulence causing bacteria in the colon.
The proteolytic enzyme papain found in papaya is actually so
good at breaking down proteins, similar to pepsin in gastric juice. Its primary
source is the leaves of the papaya tree or its unripe fruit. Papain is greatly
reduced in ripe papayas
Papaya and Cancer Prevention
There are several important compounds that may make papaya a
very beneficial superfood for reducing your risk of developing certain types of
cancers. Obviously seek the advice of a knowledgeable health care professional
when dealing with any serious disease. But also know that nutritious foods can
support the body’s natural defenses and, in the case of papaya, may have
certain nutrients of particular relevance for reducing cancer risk.
Once again, the rich antioxidant content of papaya,
particularly lycopene, beta-carotene and another less well known carotenoid
called beta-cryptoxanthin, are particularly beneficial in reducing your risk of
developing cancer.
Proteolytic enzymes in papaya can digest the fibrin protein
layer of cancer cells that usually surrounds and protects them. This may leave
the cancerous cells more susceptible to the body’s immune response. It is also
believed to hinder its growth and inhibit the cancer from spreading.
The fruit also contains compounds called isothiocyanates
that may help prevent cancer by eliminating potential carcinogens from our
bodies and enhancing the action of tumor suppressing proteins. Cruciferous
vegetables like broccoli are an even richer source of isothiocyanates, but
papaya is still a good source.
Recent research has studied the powerful cancer cell killing
effects of compounds found in papaya leaves.
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