Papaya- the botanical name is Carica papaya, also known as Pawpaw or papaw, belongs to the Caricaceae family and of the genus of Carica. This fruit is known for its many health benefits and medicinal properties. Native to Central America, papaya, is now cultivated in most tropical and subtropical countries including India, Philippines and some parts of Africa. The papaya fruit and the entire papaya tree contain an enzyme called papain. It’s a proteolytic enzyme found mostly in unripe fruits of papaya. This enzyme helps digest proteins and its anti-inflammatory properties provide other health benefits as well.

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Papaya is an extremely nutritious fruit and was once referred as "fruit of the angels" by Christopher Columbus. It is a powerhouse of Vitamin C and excellent source of folate. Papaya contains very good amount of potassium as well. Besides, this fruit contains significant amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K and dietary fiber. Papaya seeds contain amino acids like glutamic acid, proline and arginine. It is also a fruit with very low calories.

Major Health Benefits of Papaya Fruits

One of the major health benefits of papaya is that it helps to promote digestive health. Papain, the proteolytic enzyme, is responsible for breaking down proteins in foods which is necessary for better digestion. The unripe papaya is very good for the intestinal tract. It is also very good for dyspepsia and intestinal irritation. Eating papaya is a wonderful to heal any stomach problems. It is a good remedy to bloating and indigestion as well.

Papaya is a very good food for cardiovascular health. It protects against heart disease including atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. It contains very good amounts of Vitamin A, C and E, all three are powerful antioxidants. All of these fight against free radicals and prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. Oxidation of cholesterol leads to blocked arteries and which in turn causes heart attack and stroke. In addition, fiber in papaya helps to lower cholesterol levels. Folate converts homocysteine into helpful amino acids such as cysteine or methionine. This is important as high amount of unconverted homocysteine damages the blood vessel walls and that can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Papaya is a good food for the smokers. It has the ability to enhance the lung health. Smoking causes Vitamin A deficiency and that can lead to lung inflammation and emphysema. A Vitamin A rich food such as papaya helps to prevent the chances of developing any such diseases. For the smokers, a daily diet of Vitamin A rich foods is extremely important.

Certain enzymes in papaya such as papain and chymopapain are very helpful in lowering the inflammation. Vitamin C, Vitamin E and beta-carotene found in papaya are also helpful in reducing inflammation. Therefore, papaya is a great food for those who are suffering from inflammation related diseases such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Papaya is highly rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and beta-carotene. That’s why it is very helpful in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Regular intake of fresh papaya can protect from ARMD and certainly reduce the risk of developing it significantly.

Besides all these, papaya is also known as liver detoxifier. It is also very good for the skin and helpful in treating skin disorders like acne. The enzyme arginine in papaya boosts male virility by increasing the blood flow. Papaya is known for reducing the risk of colon cancer as well.

Sources:

http://www.whfoods.com

http://www.juicing-for-health.com/papaya.html

http://doctorsdunia.in/benefits-of-papaya/

http://healthfood-guide.com/papayahealthbenefits.aspx