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Benefits of Papaya (Papita) And Its Side Effects

Last Updated: Aug 21, 2020

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Amazing tropical fruit in summer, load with lots of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Let's check out The numerous health benefits of papaya fruit. One of the important factor people consumes papaya is that it is good for digestion and give you relief from a toothache etc. It also helps to regulate menstruation, promote stronger immunity, healthy weight loss, skin care, and the promotion of better heart health. Papaya is believed to prevent cancer.

Papaya (Papita)

Called the Fruit of the Angels by Christopher Columbus, papaya or papita is scientifically called as the Carica papaya. Papaya is a soft, fleshy cerise-orange colored juicy fruit.

Nutritional Value of Papaya (Papita)

Papaya fruit is an excellent sources of vitamin C. It contains folate,vitamin A,magnesium,copper,pantothenic acid, dietary fiber etc. They also have B vitamins, alpha and beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin E, calcium, potassium, vitamin K, and lycopene and acts as powerful antioxidant.

Nutritional facts Per 100 grams

43
Calories
0.3 g
Total Fat
8 mg
Sodium
182 mg
Potassium
11 g
Total Carbohydrate
0.5 g
Protein

Vitamins and Minerals

19 %
Vitamin A
0.02
Calcium
101 %
Vitamin C
1 %
Iron
5 %
Magnesium

Health Benefits of Papaya (Papita)

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Mentioned below are the best health benefits of Papaya (Papita)

Age-related macular degeneration

Macular degeneration is a disease of the eye. Zeaxanthin, an antioxidant found in papaya, helps to filter out harmful blue light rays. It is thought to play a protective role in eye health, and may ward off macular degeneration.A higher intake of papaya fruits has been shown to decrease the risk of age-related macular degeneration. It also hinders the progression of such associated diseases of the eyes.

Papaya good for asthma patients

Vitamin A, beta carotene help to prevent and reduce inflammation in the lungs. It is highly beneficial for smokers as a good intake of papaya or papaya juice can help in soothing the inflammation and reduce the chances of developing asthma.

Papaya benefits for cancer patients

Papaya is rich in anti-oxidants and phytonutrients that work against free radicals and make papayas effective against breast, pancreatic and other cancers. A leaf extract obtained from dried leaves of papaya plant produced anti-carcinogenic effects against tumor cells.

Papaya seeds are rich in flavonoids that have chemotherapeutic effects which can reduce the risk of cancer by arresting the development of cancerous cells.

Papaya is good for bones health

Papayas, beneficial for bone health, have been known to be effective against rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. One of the enzymes found in papayas, called chymopapain, has a significant effect on increasing the bone density and strength.

Adequate vitamin K consumption is also important for good health, as it improves calcium absorption and may reduce urinary excretion of calcium. The higher proportion of calcium in the body, the greater is the bone strength and rebuilding.Thus, consumption of papaya is highly recommended for bone health.

Papaya fruit good for diabetic patients

Low in sugar, papaya can be an amazing option for those who have diabetes. Papaya helps maintain blood sugar level and cholesterol because of the high fiber content. Its extracts can actually decelerate the development of type-II diabetes, where the pancreas completely loses its ability to make and secrete insulin.

Papaya enzyme good for your digestive system

Papaya is used to treat all kinds of stomach ailments, including indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, and stomach ulcers.It is a rich source of dietary fiber, which is very good for our digestive system. Papaya also contains a protein-dissolving, a digestive super enzyme called papain, that eases many stomach ailments and aids digestion.

Papaya improves digestion by breaking down proteins,cleanses the digestive tract and also ensures a reduced conversion of protein into body fat.

Papaya good for heart patients

The seeds of papayas are beneficial for a healthy heart. Having three powerful antioxidant vitamins, namely vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E, papayas help to ward off heart diseases and in preventing problems such as atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. The presence of pro- carotenoid phytonutrients in papaya helps prevent oxidization of the cholesterol in the body which otherwise can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Vitamin E and vitamin C obtained from papayas will help in preventing the cholesterol from sticking to the walls, thereby keeping the heart healthy. As a good source of fiber, papayas also help to reduce the cholesterol levels in the body.

Benefits of eating papaya for skincare

Papayas can be great revitalizing agents, which is why they are used for improving skin health. Papain, an enzyme present in papaya, kills dead cells and purifies the skin. The beneficial properties and the other healing enzymes present in papaya help treat sunburn and irritated skin.

Papaya also fights free radicals that age our skin and show premature aging signs. Papayas are also used to treat skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis, etc. The latex obtained from papayas is used to treat skin affected with acne. Topical application of papaya juice or Atex helps in curing and provides relief.

The fleshy side of the papaya skin can also be used as a mask to cure acne. Papaya fruit is one of the most effective home remedies to cure vitiligo, a condition where white patches appear on the skin.

Papaya good for menstrual cramps

Papaya juice can be of immense help for women with irregular periods. Consumption of green, unripe papayas helps to normalize the irregularity in the periodic cycle. The papain enzyme helps regulate and ease the flow of blood during menstruation, thus preventing cramps and not causing pain. Papaya also stimulates the production of estrogen, thereby normalizing the period cycle

Papaya helps in reducing Stress

This sweet juicy papaya contains active enzymes as well as vitamin C in large amount and thus, helps to restore our energy levels. Papaya also acts as a great stress reducer.

Papaya activates human growth hormones

Dried papaya provides nourishment to the endocrine system and promotes the production of arginine in the body. Arginine is a type of essential amino acid that is known to activate the human growth hormones (HGH). These hormones, present in papaya, play a key role in rebuilding bones, muscles, skin, and liver cells, and promote overall cell rejuvenation.

Uses of Papaya (Papita)

Papaya has immense benefits. It is one of the most popular fruit used to reduce inflammation in the lungs, heal wounds, treats gouts and other throat disorders like inflammation of tonsils – a symptom of diphtheria.

Papaya (Papita) is also used to treat ringworm. Papaya milk contains carotene, and this compound can treat ringworm infection. It helps in the muscle tissue renewal and aids weight loss. It is also effective in the treatment of nausea and motion sickness. For pregnant mothers and babies, papaya or papita is useful.

Raw papaya, a galactagogue improves breast milk production and can be effective for lactating mothers. Besides the health benefits, papaya can also be used for the betterment of hair. It stimulates hair growth,controls dandruff and also acts as a good hair conditioner.

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Side-Effects & Allergies of Papaya (Papita)

Papaya is harmful for pregnant women. It is considered as a ‘hot’ fruit. Latex, present in high concentrations in raw and semi-ripe papayas, causes uterine contractions which might lead to abortions. Over consumption of papaya may result in gastrointestinal irritation.It can cause a powerful laxative effect in the intestines.

Unripe or raw papaya can cause pain in the intestines or stomach, and can sometimes cause esophageal perforations.The black seeds of the papaya contain traces of an enzyme called carpine, which is a potentially toxic substance.

This enzyme can cause the nerve centers numb, which could lead to paralysis or cardiac depression. In certain cases, the narrowing of blood vessels also occurs, which is caused due to Carpine or carparine.

Cultivation of Papaya (Papita)

Papaya has its origin is in the tropics of the Americas, perhaps from southern Mexico and neighboring Central America. Papaya has become naturalized throughout the Caribbean Islands, Florida, Texas, California, Hawaii, and other tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Papaya is highly frost-sensitive, limiting its production to tropical climatic conditions of the world.

Temperatures must always be above −2 °C (29 °F) for papaya to grow.It prefers sandy, well-drained soil, as standing water will kill the plant within 24 hours.Papaya plants grow in three sexes: male, female, hermaphrodite. The male can produce only pollen, never fruit. The females produce small, inedible fruits unless pollinated. The hermaphrodite can self-pollinate. Its flowers contain both male stamens and female ovaries.

References

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    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
    Reviewed By
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    Reviewed ByDt. Ms. Shilpa MarwahB.Sc (Home Science), Post Graduation Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health NutritionDietitian/Nutritionist
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