Papaya and Its Health Benefits

As one of the foods for the digestive system, health benefits of papaya are quite massive. It is said that today papaya contains some significant amounts of enzyme which is capable of digesting over 190 times its own weight in proteins.

Papaya facilitates digestion process and is considered the perfect breakfast throughout the tropics. One of the best ways of consuming the fruit is by papaya shake or eating it fresh.

Its taste depends whether you are consuming it ripe or unripe. When it is ripe, it tastes sweet and also has a flavor but when papaya is not ripe it has less sweet taste and probably no flavor.

Other names:

Pawpaw, melon fruit, melon pawpaw

French:       Papaye

German:      Papaya

Spanish:     Papaya, Lechosa, melon zapote, Mamao

‘Carica Papaya’ L, fruit is a fast growing herb (branchless herb) which grows up to 3 – 7 meters in height; it is a fruit which belongs to the botanical family Caricaceae. This fruit weights 0.5 to 6 kilos with yellow or green rind enclosing a delicate orange or yellow pulp. The center of papaya is filled with sour black seeds.

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Papaya is native to Mexico and the Antilles, all their cultivation has spread to all tropical areas of the globe.

Papaya composition

Per 100 grams of Papaya will give the nutritional values

Protein                 =                 0.610 g

Energy                  =                 39.0 kcal  = 161 kj

Carbohydrate       =                 8.01 g

Fiber                     =                 1.80 g

Folate                   =                 38.0 µg

Vitamin A            =                 175 µg  RE

Vitamins B₁          =                 0.027 mg

Vitamin ₂              =                 0.032 mg

Vitamin B₆           =                 0.019 mg

Vitamin B₁₂          =                 _____

Niacin                   =                 0.471 mg NE

Vitamin C            =                 61.8 mg

Vitamin E             =                 1.12 mg α-TE

Calcium                =                 24.0 mg

Phosphorus          =                 5.00 mg

Iron                      =                 0.100 mg

Magnesium          =                 10.0 mg

Potassium            =                 257 mg

Zinc                      =                 0.070 mg

Saturated Fat       =                 0.043 mg

Total Fat               =                 0.140 mg

Cholesterol           =                 ____

Sodium                 =                 3.00 mg

This is based on the % daily value on a 2, 000 calorie diet provided by 100 grams of papaya.

Properties and Indications of Papaya

The papaya water content is 88.8% almost the same with that of melon (92%), may be this seems to be the reason why some people call it “tropic melon”. However, papaya and melon have different characteristics as they belong to distinct botanical families.

Papaya’s content of energy producing nutrients is somewhat low in carbohydrates (8%). The carbohydrates are formed from sugars such as glucose, fructose and sacchrose.

Here is a list of percentage (%) composition of Papaya

Carbohydrates               =                 8.01%

Fat                                 =                 0.140%

Fiber                              =                 1.80%

Minerals                         =                 0.610%

Protein                           =                 0.610%

Water                             =                 88.8%

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In vitamins, its content is quite enormous; 100 grams of papaya pulp provides over 103% of RDA of vitamin C and for adult 18%. The group B vitamins are also present but in small amounts. However, folates is 38 mg per 100 grams as much as feijoa which is one of the richest fruit in these substances.

Regarding its minerals content, papaya is quite rich in potassium with about 257 mg per 100 grams and also some significant amount of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron. The pectin makes about 1.8%. These qualities or properties make up so many health benefits of papaya

By the use of some chemical analysis methods, about 106 volatile chemical substances have been identified in its pulp. These volatile substances are responsible for its aroma. The chemical analysis methods show that, there are so many yet to be identified substances in plant-based foods.

Awesome Health Benefits of Papaya

One of the health benefits of papaya has to do with protecting against prostate cancer. Papaya holds the antioxidant beta-carotene and studies confirm that it offers protection against prostate cancer.

Boost Immune System

Due to its vitamin C content, eating this fruit is capable of boosting the immune system and also helps in protecting the body from various infections and illness.

Papaya protects the Heart

According to everydayhealth, it says that papaya makes an excellent source of vitamin C and with its vitamin C, fiber, antioxidant and potassium contents, keeping the arteries healthy and promoting the flow of blood comes easy.

Papain

This is a proteolytic enzyme; an enzyme that digests proteins and quite similar to pepsin in gastric juice. The primary source of this enzyme is the leaves of papaya tree or the unripe fruit. When papaya is ripe, the papain is well reduced. Papaya contributes to the digestion of other foods.

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Some therapeutic indications of papaya

Stomach Disorders

In cases of some intestinal disorders like gastric prolapsed, gastritis, difficult digestion and when digestion is affected by gastric mucosa inflammation, papaya is recommended.

One of the health benefits of papaya here is that it helps in neutralizing gastric acid when in excess. It is quite beneficial when cases of gastroduodenal ulcer, pyrosis and hernia arise.

Skin Disorders

For those with skin disorders such as eczema, acne or furuncles, it is recommended they make papaya as part of their diet. This is because of its richness in provitamin A.

Intestinal Disorders

Papaya’s antiseptic and emollient effects are quite massive on the digestive mucosa and the effects make is useful in cases of colitis or gastroenteritis (ulceration, infectious or spastic (irritable bowel).

When papaya is still green, it has bacteriostatic properties which impedes the development of various enteropathogens responsible for intestinal infections. Therefore, in cases of infectious diarrhea, papaya is highly recommended.

Intestinal Parasites

The sap from papaya or the latex and to some extent the pulp exhibit vermifuge and anthelminthic properties against some parasites of the intestine such as tapeworm.

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Preparation and Use of Papaya

1. Fresh: The best way to consume papaya is when it is fresh. The ones sold in non-tropical countries are picked green so as to facilitate their transport. However, in this process, they lose flavor and quality. Papaya goes well with lettuce salad combined with lemon juice.
2. Canned: Canned papaya is enjoyed throughout the entire universe.
3. Other methods to prepare and use papaya include; papaya jam, shakes and soft drinks.

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