Papaya is one of the best foods to improve digestion. Also known as pawpaws or papaws, this fruit grows in tropical climates. It has a vibrant color and sweet taste. Eating this fruit reduces the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. It also improves blood glucose control in diabetes patients, lowers blood pressure, improves wound healing, and aids in digestion.
This is a soft, fleshy fruit that you can use in a range of culinary ways. In this article, you will learn about the health benefits of papaya.
Some Facts About Papaya
- This fruit is native to Mexico but grown in most parts of the world.
- India is the biggest producer of papaya.
- You can add papaya to smoothies, salads, and other dishes.
Papaya Benefits:-
In addition to being one of the foods to improve digestion, there are many other health benefits of papaya. It also protects against several health conditions.
1. Age-related Macular Degeneration
Papaya is a good source of an antioxidant called Zeaxanthin. This antioxidant filters out blue light rays that can be harmful. It wards off macular degeneration. Eating papaya is also good for your eyes’ health.
2. Asthma Prevention
Eating papaya lowers the risk of asthma development. Papaya has certain nutrients that are good for the health of an asthma patient. Beta-carotene is one of these nutrients found in papaya. Carrots, pumpkin, cantaloupe, broccoli, and apricots are also good sources of beta-carotene.
3. Cancer
Beta-carotene present in papaya may reduce the risk of cancer. You should include papaya and other sources of beta-carotene in your diet. This provides protection against prostate cancer.
4. Bone Health
Vitamin K increases the risk of bone fracture. Consumption of adequate vitamin K is good for your bone health. Vitamin K improves calcium absorption. This reduces the excretion of calcium through urine. As a result, there is more calcium in your body to strengthen and rebuild bones.
5. Diabetes
Consuming a high-fiber diet lowers blood glucose levels. This is the reason why a type 1 diabetes patient should eat papaya. Papaya also improves blood sugar, insulin, and lipid levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Small papaya provides you with 3g of fiber. This is equivalent to 17g of carbohydrates.
6. Digestion
Papaya contains papain, an enzyme that improves digestion. You can also use it as a meat tenderizer. The fiber and water content of papaya is also high. This helps in preventing constipation. These nutrients provide you with a healthy digestive tract.
7. Heart Disease
Papaya contains potassium, fiber, and vitamin. These nutrients ward off heart disease. Increasing potassium intake and decreasing sodium intake also helps in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, if you are on a diet that is good for your heart, include papaya and other sources of vitamin, fiber, and potassium.
8. Inflammation
Papaya is a good source of choline. It is an important, versatile nutrient that aids sleep, and improves memory, learning, and muscle movement. This nutrient is also required for the maintenance of cellular membrane structure. This aids nerve impulse transmission. It also assists in fat absorption and reduces chronic inflammation.
9. Skin and Healing
If you use mashed papaya topically, it can prevent infection of burned areas and promote wound healing. Chymopapain and papain provide the most health benefits. Papain enzyme present in papaya is used in some ointments used for the treatment of decubitus ulcers (bedsores).
10. Hair Health
Vitamin A present in papaya is also good for your hair health. This nutrient is important for sebum production that aids moisturization. Vitamin A also supports bodily tissue growth including hair and skin. This nutrient is required for building and maintaining collagen.
At The End
To stay fit and healthy always, you should consult some good health coaching services. You must have heard the quote “A healthy outside starts from the inside”. So, a good health coach can guide you the right food that helps you to improve your digestion and keeps you fit and healthy from inside as well outside.
