Papaya a delicious orange coloured healthy fruit, that was called "fruits of the angels" by Christopher Columbus. Piled up with nutrients which are vital to the proper functioning of the body, it can be eaten in raw form, as a fruit, a smoothie, a milkshake and as a vegetable. The fruit is popular for its high nutritive and medicinal value.

Health Benefits of Papaya

Weight Loss

Papaya is an amazing fruit to lose weight, sine the papain in papaya helps to detoxify the body and burns fat. It is a wonderful diuretic, and antioxidant, posses a good amount of fibre, and is a low-calorie fruit, (43 calories in 100 grams) and is rich in nutrients such as vitamin, calcium, magnesium and potassium. The fibre content in papaya helps to bind fat molecules and prevents absorption of fats and excreted.

Promotes Digestion

Papayas are best known to promote digestion. The super digestive enzyme papain, aids digestion by breaking down proteins and cleanses the digestive tract. A study conducted by Australian scientists revealed that papaya significantly reduced symptoms of bloating, constipation and heartburn.

Prevent Cancer

Evidence shows that papaya leaves are effective against breast, pancreatic, and other cancers. According to the study conducted by the University of Florida, dried papaya leaves produced anti-carcinogenic effects against tumour cells and slow down the growth of tumours.

Healthy Skin

Papayas are powerful stimulating agents, used in many cosmetics. The papain kills the dead cells and purifies the skin. It is also great to treat sunburn and irritated skin. Papayas find a great place in homemade face masks by many women. The peels of papaya possess strong antioxidants properties and can be used as a natural scrub. It is also beneficial in treating skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis.

Boosts Immunity

Researchers from Japan have proven that the antioxidants present in papaya play a vital role in boosting the immunity. Flowers and root of the plant have been proven to be effective against jaundice, bronchitis, colic and other illness.

Prevent Arthritis

Papayas are good to keep your bones healthy, the anti-inflammatory properties are known to be effective against rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The enzyme chymopapain has a significant effect on controlling rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Good for Eyes

Papaya is loaded with antioxidant beta-carotenes and is effective in reducing macular degeneration and improving eyesight. A study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, reveals that consumption of 3 or more servings of papaya daily may lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Papaya for pregnancy

Raw papaya and partially ripe papaya are abundant in latex which triggers uterine contractions resulting in miscarriage during early stages. Avoid raw papaya if you are pregnant. However, you can moderately eat ripe papayas, as it contains a very low-level of papain.