Papaya Health Benefits

Everyone is well aware of the fruit papaya and I guess, I need not give you the description of how does it look like, taste and where it is found. However, you may not know that papaya was attributed by the name "The Fruit of the Angels", by Christopher Columbus [an Italian navigator who discovered the New World in the service of Spain while looking for a route to China (1451-1506)]. Before we head on for the papaya health benefits, here is a brief insight on the nutritive value of the fruit, per 100g. Papaya contains 56 mg of vitamin C and 20 mg of calcium. Carbohydrates in the fruit is of the quantity 10 g and vitamin A, 1750 I.U. 16 mg of phosphorus is present in papaya and 470 mg of potassium. Apart from containing vitamin E and K, papaya has a calorific value of 39.

How Does Papaya Improve Human Health

#The main health benefits of papaya come from papain and chymonpapain, the two very important enzymes of the fruit. These enzymes aid in the digestion of protein in the body. Out of the two, papain is the most abundant and most active. One important fact to take a note of is that, these two enzymes gradually vanish as the fruit ripens. So, in order to avail the benefits, pick your fruit when it is still green. Apart from aiding to the digestion process, papaya enzymes help treat edemas, inflammation and wounds. The antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene also aid to reducing any inflammatory symptoms. Thus, people with asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis would find great relief with an increase in the consumption of this fruit. The enzymes, papain and chymonpapain, also prevent cornea scar deformation and help in treating insect stings.

# Talking about the benefits of the seeds of this fruit, they include protection against E. coli, Salmonella and Staph infections and certain kidney diseases. Papaya seeds extract are also known to get rid of intestinal parasites and they also help in detoxifying the liver.

# Treating constipation is one of the well-known benefits of papaya. Infections of the colon can be addressed by drinking papaya juice and ripened form of the fruit may help prevent cancer in organs and glands with epithelial tissue. Other health benefits include managing nausea including morning sickness and motion sickness and producing a tonic effect in the stomach and intestines. Papaya's content of folate, vitamin C, beta-carotene and vitamin E are also associated with reduced risks of colon cancer.

# Lowering cholesterol level and preventing the development of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease are also among the well-known health benefits of this tropical fruit. Apart from these, papaya's richness in vitamin A, has earned it the reputation to be an ideal home remedy for lung protection. People who are in a risk of lung cancer should consider adding this fruit to their daily diet.

# Boosting the immune system is yet another papaya benefit. Richness of vitamin C and vitamin A in the fruit, strengthens the immune system and keeps one from illnesses and recurrent infections like cold and flu and like that of the ear.

# Macular Degeneration (eye disease caused by degeneration of the cells of the macula lutea and results in blurred vision; can cause blindness) is an age-related illness and is the primary cause of vision loss in older adults. According to researches, adding papaya to the diet can provide a great deal of benefit in reducing the risk of developing this eye disease.

According to different surveys, people who took papaya along with green tea, were found less prone to develop prostate cancer than others. Thus, with so many benefits in store, a healthy diet must comprise this 'wonder fruit' as one of its key ingredients.