10 Reasons Why Papaya Should Be Your New Favorite Fruit
Imagine eating a soft and juicy fruit with the right amount of sweetness...I bet you’re drooling in your seats as we describe this fruit. If you need a healthy, easy, and delicious snack, Papaya can be your new favorite fruit!
The papaya, a previously exotic and rare fruit, is now available at most times of the year. It grows in tropical climates and is also known as papaws or pawpaws. Their sweet taste, vibrant color, and a wide variety of health benefits they provide make them a popular fruit.
When choosing or eating papaya, look for fresh papayas with soft reddish-orange skin. Just cut like a melon, scoop out the seeds, and enjoy. The papaya seeds are edible but have a bitter, peppery taste. Using a spoon, it is possible to scoop out the soft flesh of the fruit.
Other than the deliciousness of this fruit, here are ten reasons to love it even more!
Digestion And Reduced Inflammation
Primarily found in papaya, Papain, and chymopapain- are two types of enzymes that are anti-inflammatory agents and help aid digestion and reduce inflammation by digesting proteins. They may also assist with acute pain, such as that caused by burns or bruising, and chronic inflammatory disorders, such as arthritis and asthma. Some over-the-counter digestive pills contain papain to aid with moderate stomach distress.
Boosts Immunity
Foods that are rich in Vitamin-C help to boost your immune system. As papaya has abundant vitamin C, including it in your daily diet can allow the body to fight off bacterial and viral illnesses. Papaya is also a good source of antioxidants, and Vitamin A, which makes it part of an immune-healthy diet.
Protects Against Cancer
Papaya gets its bright orange color from a natural pigment called Lycopene, which is linked to lowering the risk of prostate cancer. Adopting a high-lycopene diet can considerably reduce the incidence of prostate cancer. In addition, Beta-carotene antioxidants in papayas decrease the risk of cancer.
Papaya Helps In Asthma
People who consume a high amount of certain nutrients, such as beta-carotene and Vitamin A, which are found in fruits like papaya and help to prevent and reduce inflammation in the lungs, have a lower risk of developing asthma.
Consumption of Papaya benefits smokers since it helps to decrease lung inflammation.
Good For Bone Strength
Papaya has Vitamin K, which is essential for bone health. The enzyme chymopapain present in papayas has a considerable impact on improving bone density and strength. An adequate amount of vitamin K is essential for better bone structure. It improves calcium absorption and reduces urinary excretion of calcium, hence retaining more calcium in the body to strengthen and rebuild bones.
Papaya For Diabetics
Pre-Diabetics who eat a high-fiber diet have lower blood glucose levels, whereas people with type 2 diabetes may have better blood sugar, lipid, and insulin levels. As papaya has a medium glycemic index and low glycemic load, with small papaya consisting of 3 grams of fiber, and roughly 17 grams of carbs, it is safe to eat small portions of papaya for people with diabetes.
Improves Digestion
Papaya is used to cure various gastrointestinal issues, such as indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, and stomach ulcers in traditional medicine.
High in dietary fiber, It is beneficial for our digestive system. This wonder fruit also includes papain, a protein-dissolving digestive enzyme that relieves stomach discomfort and facilitates digestion. Papaya aids digestion by breaking down proteins, cleaning the digestive tract, and reducing protein conversion to body fat.
Takes Care Of Your Heart
The high content of fiber, potassium, vitamin, and antioxidants such as lycopene in papaya benefits lowering the risk of heart disease. Diets high in fiber and antioxidants help to decrease cholesterol levels, as antioxidants prevent cholesterol from oxidizing. When cholesterol oxidizes, it increases the risk of forming blockages; hence, including papaya in your diet may help to lower your risk of heart disease.
It helps In Healing Wounds
When applied topically, mashed papaya helps wound healing and prevents infection in burnt areas. Papaya’s healing properties are due to the proteolytic enzymes chymopapain and papain. Ointments with the papain enzyme are also used to treat decubitus ulcers and bedsores.
Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
People with diabetes should consume papaya in a moderate quantities as due to its high fiber content, papaya is known to reduce blood sugar levels, which can be harmful. Papaya can also interfere with the medication for diabetes and may further lower your blood glucose levels. It is always better to seek medical advice, especially if you have diabetes on medication.
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