Papaya 'Activates The Digestive Process'

 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.

Vitamin A Rich Foods You Should Be Eating

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is stored in the body. Vitamin A rich foods are essential for body development and growth. It helps maintain normal vision and keeps your skin, eyes and immune system healthy.  You will get vitamin A from some animal foods and carotenoids, a form of vitamin A, from plant food.  By consuming vitamin A rich foods you’ll be able to obtain a sufficient way to obtain this vitamin with no necessity of supplementation. Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin kept in the liver, was recognized as required for growth. Vitamin A is a vital vitamin necessary for vision, gene transcription, boosting immune function, and great skin health.

An insufficiency in vitamin a can result in blindness and increased viral infection, however deficiency is just considered an issue in developing countries where it’s a leading reason for blindness in children. Over consumption of vitamin A can result in jaundice, nausea, loss of appetite, irritability, vomiting, as well as hair loss. Highest vitamin A foods are liver, cod liver fish oil and carrots. Vitamin A is among the most essential vitamins.

Carrots High Vitamin A Rich Foods

Carrots are considered as a high vitamin A foods. Carrots are fantastic cooked or like a snack. 100 grams of raw carrots provides 16706IU for vitamin a. That is 204% RDA for any medium-sized carrot, and 2069IU for any single baby carrot. Beta Carotene has elevated levels of antioxidants helping prevent cancer. It may be present in carrots, yams, pumpkin, squash, leafy green vegetables, apricots,  and papaya.

Vitamin A and Liver

 It will be surprising thing for some people that vitamin A is declared as high vitamin food. The liver associated with a animal comes complete with minerals and vitamins, and it is best prepared steamed or fried with onions and herbs. Turkey liver offers the most vitamin a with 1507% RDA per 100 gram serving, or 62526IU per liver. The liver on most any animal will give you 1000%+ RDA of vitamin A. *pregnant women should limit intake of liver to one serving every two weeks*

Vitamin A with Paprika and Red Pepper 

Red Pepper, Chili Powder and Paprika are full with vitamin A. A tablespoon of paprika contains 3691IU for vitamin a, or 52735 IU (1055% RDA) for any 100 gram serving. Other red pepper powders have similar amounts with Cayenne powder providing 41610 IU per 100g or 2081IU in one tablespoon. Chili Powder is full with vitamin a.

Vitamin A Rich Foods – Sweet Potatoes 

Sweet Potatoes are a high vitamin A Food. Using their bright orange color yams are full of vitamin A. Yams provide 19218IU of vitamin a per 100 gram serving, or 38436IU inside a cup of mashed yams, and 21909IU inside a medium-sized yams.

Vitamin A Rich Foods – Dark Leafy Greens

 Dark Leafy Greens contains high vitamin A. Dark Leafy Greens Crisp, fresh, and delicious, dark leafy greens are wonderful inside a salad or steamed like a side. Like a bonus they will also be full of calcium. 

Vitamin A and Dried Herbs 

Vitamin A is found in Dried herbs also. Dried herbs are extremely full of vitamins. Turn it into a habit to include a pinch of dried herb to all you prepare. Dried Parsley offers the most vitamin a with 10184IU per 100 gram serving, or 204IU per tablespoon. 

How to Make Food So That You Retain Maximum Vitamin A?

You can lose maximum vitamin A during food preparation, the cooking period, or storage period. To preserve vitamin A:

• Consume raw vegetables and fruits whenever possible.

• When you cover and keep vegetables , fruits and you refrigerate during storage, you preserve vitamin A.

• Steam the vegetables and bake, braise, or broil meat in place of frying. While frying, a slight amount of vitamin A inside fat is lost.

• Margarine is also fortified to get the vitamin A volume equal to butter. Skimmed milk or Low fat are frequently fortified amid vitamin A since it was taken out from the milk along with fat.

AVOCADO ‘LOWERS CHOLESTOROL AND FIGHTS ANEMIA’

•  
  
  
  Avocados, like olives, are high in mono-unsaturated fats and calories. However, they are very rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals and packed with numerous health benefiting plant nutrients. 
• Their creamy pulp is a very good source of mono-unsaturated fatty acids like oleic and palmitoleic acids as well as omega-6 poly-unsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid. Research studies suggest that Mediterranean diet that is rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids help lower LDL or bad cholesterol and increase HDL or good-cholesterol, thereby, prevent coronary artery disease and strokes by favoring healthy blood lipid profile.
• Avocados are appropriate for the diet of those suffering from stomach ulcers or gastritis because of their alkalinity and the emollient and protective effects of their fats on the mucosa.
• They are a very good source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. 100 g fruit provides 6.7 g or about 18% of recommended daily intake. Dietary fibers help lower blood cholesterol levels and prevent constipation.
• Avocados are very rich in vitamin B6, one of the most important for proper neuron function, they are very appropriate for those suffering from nervousness, irritability or depression.
• Its flesh contains health promoting flavonoid poly-phenolic antioxidants such as cryptoxanthin, lutein, zea-xanthin, beta and alpha carotenes in small amounts. Together, these compounds act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease processes.
• They are also good in many health-benefiting vitamins. Vitamin A, E, and K are especially concentrated in its creamy pulp.
• Avocados are also excellent sources of minerals like iron, copper, magnesium, and manganese. Magnesium is essential for bone strengthening and has a cardiac-protective role as well. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron and copper are required in the production of red blood cells.
• The iron in avocados are well assimilated, eating them is encouraged for all those needing additional iron, such as adolescents(particularly girls) and pregnant women. Avocados should be included in the diet of all who are anemic because of blood loss or lack of iron.
• Fresh avocado pear is a very rich source of potassium. 100 g of fruit provides 485 mg or about 10% of daily-required levels. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids where it helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure, countering bad effects of sodium.
• Recent studies show that eating avocados is particularly beneficial to diabetics, they help maintain glycemia level(blood glucose).
• Because of their great nutritional value, their ease of digestion and their vitamin E content, avocado should be a part of the diets of children, adolescents during periods of rapid growth, athletes, exhausted or stressed adults, the elderly and all those wishing to naturally and healthfully increase their vitality.
• They go great in salads and wraps, while also being delicious on their own. The softer ones make a great substitute for unhealthy mayonnaise and can also be added to smoothies.