Health Benefits of Papaya

Christopher Columbus named it "The Fruit of the Angels"! The papaya was first cultivated in the regions of Mexico, and then got introduced to various parts of the world. The fruit is deliciously sweet and can be availed throughout the year. As I have mentioned already, the papaya is attributed to be a power house of nutrients, which offers multiple benefits for your health. And what are these health benefits of papaya, we will see as we go further.

Nutritional Benefits of Papaya

Nutritional Value
Let us begin with the basic nutritional information of this deliciously healthy fruit.

For a serving size of 100 g, the values are:

Nutrients	Value
Total Fat	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	3.02 mg (0%)
Total carbohydrate	10 g (3%)
Dietary fiber	2 g
Sugars	6 g
Protein	1 g
Vitamin A	1094 IU (22%)
Vitamin C	61.8 mg (103%)
Vitamin K	2.6 mcg (3%)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)	0.0 mg (2%)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	0.0 mg (2%)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)	0.3 mg (2%)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)	0.0 mg (1%)
Vitamin B9 (Folate)	38.0 mcg (10%)
Calcium	24.0 mg (2%)
Iron	0.1 mg (1%)
Magnesium	10 mg (2%)
Phosphorous	5.0 mg (1%)
Zinc	0.1 mg (0%)
Potassium	257 mg (7%)

Note: the values in percentages are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
After seeing the nutritional value provided by a papaya, let us take a look at the papaya fruit health benefits.

Benefits

• Papaya acts as a natural exfoliating agent. This helps in forming newer skin cells, and also keeps the skin smooth and soft. Also, people who have this fruit as a regular part of their diet enjoy clearer and fairer skin. The fruit's richness in Vitamin A, E and C, provides the skin with the protection it requires.
• One of the health benefits of papaya seeds is their protection against bacterial infection caused by the bacteria E. coli, and Salmonella. The seeds also help in reducing the risks of developing staph infections, and certain kidney diseases as well.
• One of the most popular health benefits of papaya juice is dealing with constipation. The fruit is best in dealing with this condition when it is still raw. It is recommended to munch on two or three pieces of papaya after lunch.
• Papain and chymonpapain are the two very important enzymes in this fruit. These are credited for the various health benefits of papaya. It is because of these enzymes that eating the fruit helps in the treatment of edema, inflammation, and wounds. Know that, these enzymes are at their best state when the fruit is still raw.
• The nutrients in the fruit such as vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene, possess anti-inflammatory properties. And this is the reason, patients of asthma or osteoarthritis, find great relief in their symptoms, once they increase their consumption of this fruit.
• Again, rich amounts of vitamin C and vitamin A in the fruit adds in boosting the immune system thus, reducing the chances of contracting various illnesses.

Other Benefits:

• Possible protection from cancer.
• The fruit helps in treating morning sickness, and it is good for motion sickness.
• It acts as a tonic for the stomach and intestines.
• Another benefit of this great fruit is its ability to lower cholesterol. And this in turn, helps in the curbing the development of various heart conditions.
• Apart from lowering cholesterol, it also keeps it from getting oxidized thus, preventing accumulation in the blood vessel walls. Cholesterol, if allowed to do otherwise, gives rise to the formation of plaque that eventually gives rise to heart attacks or strokes. To add to this, the folic acid in the fruit also helps in the prevention of heart attack or strokes.
• Macular degeneration has been reported to be one of the leading causes of blindness. Eating papaya on regular basis, helps in reducing the risk of this eye disorder appreciably.

So, as you see how a humble-looking fruit such as the papaya has many benefits to offer. Hope this article on the health benefits of papaya has been able to give you enough reasons to provide this fruit a special place in your refrigerator!..