Although Papaya is considered as the most valuable fruit, there are very few high-class purchasers of this fruit. Maybe the taste is not very much liked by people, but when you consider the health benefits you can derive from it, you can easily rewrite the old adage, "an apple a day......" to "half a papaya a day......" Although all varieties of papaya may not be as sweet as apple or banana, there are some varieties that are quite sweet. Let us see what it has to offer in terms of health benefits.
What Papaya Contains
Papaya is a good source of
- Papain
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Beta-carotene
- Essential minerals
- Enzymes like arginine and carpain
- Natural fiber
Health Benefits of Papaya
Papaya has numerous health benefits.
- Skin and Hair Care: Papaya is very beneficial for the skin. Application of papaya juice to the skin prevents and cures many skin disorders like acne, warts, burns, etc. It is a very good exfoliating agent, removing dead skins and giving a glowing complexion. It removes brown spots and freckles. Regular application removes sun tanning and gives your original complexion back. This property makes it an essential ingredient in many skin lightening creams and masks. The antioxidants contained in papaya prevent premature aging and gives you a clear youthful skin. Papaya is also good for healthy hair as it helps prevent dandruff.
- Immune System Booster: Vitamin A and C and beta-carotene in papaya boost the immune system. This is especially good for those who are frequently troubled with colds, cough, and flu.
- Anti-inflammatory: The protein-digesting enzymes in papaya (papain and chymopapain) make it a good anti-inflammatory. Apart from this, vitamin A and C and beta-carotene are also effective inflammation remedies. Therefore, papaya is a good fruit for people suffering from asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Digestive Health: Papaya is an excellent digestive aid. The protein, papain, in papaya is a digestive enzyme which aid natural digestive process and prevents constipation. Papaya juice helps eliminate any pus, infection, or mucus in the digestive tract. Once in a while, have just papaya for 3 to 4 days. This will help clean the stomach and intestine and work as a tonic for the stomach. You will not feel tired when you are on this "fast." Experts say that the fiber in papaya helps bind the cancer-causing toxins in the colon and prevents them from going anywhere near the healthy colon cells. Papaya's folate, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and vitamin E are also associated with the prevention of cancer.
- Heart Disease: Papaya is believed to be effective in preventing atherosclerotic and diabetic heart disease. The concentration of pro-vitamin A carotenoid phytonutrients in papaya helps it to do so. These nutrients help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, thus preventing its buildup on the artery walls, which in turn prevents dangerous plaques that lead to heart attacks and strokes. The fiber in papaya also helps reduce LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) levels.
It is high time papaya got its due all over the world. If the taste does not adjust with you, at least you can derive the benefit by using it as your beauty mask and let your skin get the benefit!
