Papaya – Find out all its digestive properties

Carlos Sánchez 1 November, 2019 Plants Leave a comment

The small black seeds from papaya are like valuable pearls, since they indicate the nutrient content from this tropical fruit.

Let’s learn a little bit more about papaya

The papaya has always been worshipped in primitive civilizations due to its healing properties.

Currently, it is used in occidental medicine to produce medicines and many cosmetic products. This is proof of its value for health and cosmetics.

In fact, the papaya has been classified as “the fruit from angels” due to its healing properties.

This tropical fruit is orange, sweet and juicy. It has a pulp and black seeds that also have several uses too.

They are available throughout the whole year in Europe.

Papaya and calories

It is refreshing and delicious fruit that is also quite low in calories. Therefore, it is an ideal food to include in our diet. Moreover, eating this fruit regularly provides important benefits for our health

Properties of papaya

The clinical studies have proven that it has multiple beneficial properties for our health. For example, some of the most important ones are:

Regulating the digestion
Supporting weight loss diets
Restoring the intestinal health after an antibiotic treatment
Fighting against aging and reducing the onset of wrinkles
Lowering high cholesterol levels
Preserving the cardiovascular health
Relieving the inflammation
Helping with the healing of wounds
Increasing the fertility
Inhibiting the growth of some cancer cells sometimes

Benefits of papaya

Reducing intestinal discomfort

It improves the digestion and relieves gastrointestinal discomfort, abdominal distension, indigestion and constipation.

The pulp of papaya has many nutrients, such as papain, an enzyme that supports the digestion.

Green papaya has the highest content of this substance. Therefore, it is a perfect ingredient to make salads, specially the typical Chinese salad.

Moreover, it is also present in the leaves of the papaya tree. To put it simply, it produces a chemical reaction in our digestive tract what breaks down the protein from food into amino acids. After that, our body will be able to use them immediately. In addition, this enzymes protects our body against inflammation caused by diseases like rheumatism, for instance.

The rest of the ingredients from this fruit are essentials nutrients. In fact, some of the have powerful antioxidant effects.

Above all, it stands out due to its high content in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene. In addition, it is a source of magnesium, potassium, B vitamins, folic acid and pantothenic acid (B5). It is also necessary for our intestinal health due to its fiber supply.

For stomach ulcers

The papain and fiber from papaya does not only have benefits for the digestive system. Rather, it could also be used to treat gastric ulcers according to some experiments with animals.

A clinical study with laboratory rats from 2009 found out about the efficacy of papaya against ulcers. Therefore, the papaya concentrate extract could be a natural alternative to treat ulcers in humans.

Moreover, the proteolytic enzyme called papain from papaya can also fight against intestinal parasites and strengthen the immune system.

Papain also has benefits to fight against viruses, allergens and fungi in the bowel. Eating this fruit after an antibiotic treatment will help to restore the intestinal flora and strengthen the immune system. Consequently, we could say that it has a preventive effect against cancer.

Papaya as a malign cell inhibitor

Traditional medicine has started to recognize the benefits of papaya for our health. Currently, there are more than six hundred studies that are analyzing the healing power of papaya against cancer.

Some countries, like Australia, officially encourage from the Healthcare Ministry to harvest this fruit due to its medicinal properties against cancer.

Moreover, many universities carry laboratory studies focused on testing the properties of papaya against different types of cancer. Including breast cancer, cervical, pancreas, liver and lung cancer. Usually, the researchers tend to use papaya leaf dry extract for these studies.

Scientific studies

All these studies have concluded that, after taking the papaya extracts, the growth of cancer cells drop within 24 hours.

Other studies suggest that, apart from the papain enzyme, papaya has other relevant ingredients. For instance, the mustard oil group, which are effective against different types of cancer, such as colon cancer and leukemia.

Finally, other studies have proven its efficacy against prostate cancer. Above all, this is due to its antioxidant content, specially in lycopene

The epidemiological studies highlight the high bioavailability of lycopene. Consequently, our body and tissues absorb it more quickly, protecting the prostate cells against cancer. This study concluded that men who eat papaya have 83% less chances of suffering prostate cancer.

The papaya seeds specially fight against acidification.

Now, we know that cancer cells grow faster in an acid environment. Therefore, the papaya seeds contribute to preventing the onset of cancer.

How to eat papaya

We have already mentioned that its most nutritious parts are the pulp and black seeds.

So, we can use the pulp to cook some recipes. For instance, we can make a salads, which is quite typical in Asian cuisine.

Moreover, some nutritionists suggest using the papaya seeds to make juices or shakes. In fact, this is a great way of taking advantage from all its nutrients.

Anti-aging remedy

If you have a look at the ingredients from the best anti-aging treatments, you will find that most of the contain papaya extract.

The papaya extract is actually the best natural product to deal with wrinkles.

The papain enzyme that we mentioned before due to its digestive properties also has antioxidant properties. Therefore, it can improve the state and appearance of the skin. More specifically, it shortens the wound healing processes, increases the elasticity and prevents the onset of wrinkles.

It helps to eliminate dead cells so that the pores will not saturate producing acne. In addition, it also smooths the superior layer of the skin and reduces the wrinkles.

The high vitamin C content from papaya stimulates the production of collagen. Thanks to this, you will notice how your skin looks better and firmer.

On the other hand, its antioxidant content, such as beta-carotene and vitamins A and E improve the aspect oft he skin strengthen the hair and nails. Moreover, its topical used applied as a mask or cream, makes the skin more elastic and firm. To the point that it can make freckles and sunspots disappear.

Papaya recipes for your skin

Here you have some tips if you want to make the most of the benefits of papaya for the skin.

Make a mask mixing a third part of the pulp from the fruit, an egg yolk, one avocado, a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of olive oil.
Mix them up until everything is well combined.
Wash your face with water and, after drying it, apply the mask avoiding the eye contour
Wear it for 15 minutes and then, remove it with hot water.
The results are amazing! A healthy, radiant and revitalized skin!

Contraindications of papaya

Despite being a natural fruit, the amount of medicinal properties from its pulp and seeds have a series of contraindications:

It can cause stomach problems or diarrhea
Do not eat if you are following a diuretic treatment
It can trigger an allergic reaction
There are no studies about its benefits or interactions during pregnancy or lactation