Health Benefits of Papaya

Papaya offers not only the sweet taste but it also contain antioxidant nutrients such as carotenes, vitamins C and flavonoids; Vitamins B, folate and pantothenic acid, minerals, potassium copper magnesium and fibre, all these nutrients promote the cardiovascular system and protection against colon cancer.  Other health benefit includes better digestion, relief from toothache, improvement in the immune system and the protection against heart disease.

 Papaya can be eaten as a fruit, a smoothie, a milkshake, and as a vegetable in raw form. It is also used in the manufacturing of several cosmetic, skin, and beauty products, and chewing gums.

 Health Benefits of Papaya

With its high nutritive and medicinal value, the health benefits of papaya are so many; here are some of the benefits:

• Digestion:  Papayas helps to aid digestion. It has a digestive super enzyme, which breakdown proteins and cleanses the digestive tract. If the protein in our diet is not digested properly, it may cause arthritis, constipation, diabetes, high blood pressure and other related health conditions.
• Loss Weight: Papayas are good for people who are trying to lose weight naturally. Having a bowl full of papaya, as a snack is good for health as well as losing weight. 
• Infections: Papayas are effective for killing intestinal worms, thereby avoiding infections and complications.
• Toothaches Relief:  A paste of fresh papaya roots can be massaged onto the teeth and gums to give relief from toothaches.
• Prevent cancer: Papayas are effective against breast, pancreatic and other cancers. A papaya leaf extract obtained from dried leaves produced anti-carcinogenic effects against tumour cells that were grown in the laboratory. Papaya fruit has been used in many western medicines for its anticancer powers.
• Skin Care: Papayas are used for cosmetics and also used as homemade facemask because of its reviving effects on skin. The properties present in Papaya kills dead cells, purify the skin, help to treat sunburn and irritated skin also fight free radical that age your skin, it also help to treat skin disorder such as eczema, psoriasis, sores, wound and ulcers.
• Improved Heart Health: The seeds of papayas are good for a healthy heart. Having three powerful antioxidant vitamins, namely vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E, means that papayas are helpful in preventing problems such as atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease.  As a good source of fibre, papayas also help to reduce the cholesterol levels in the body.
• Reduce Acne and Burns:  The fleshy side of the papaya skin can be used as a mask to cure acne. A diet that includes papayas will help to cure the conditions internally, making the skin clear. It also helps in reducing the marks caused by burn.
• Anti-Inflammatory Effects: The enzymes present in papayas reduce the inflammation in different parts of the body.
• Macular Degeneration: Vision is one of the most important senses for human beings. Macular degeneration is the loss of vision, it happens when the small part of the retina called macula deteriorate, which results in blurred vision and can lead to blindness. By eating papayas can reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration.
• Constipation: Papaya contains folate; vitamin C and vitamin E, which help to prevent constipation Papaya juice and the ripened form of papaya, also help to aid digestion. The fiber obtained from the fruit helps to increase bowel movements. Improved bowel movements help to ease the passage of stool, thereby reducing the effects of constipation. 
• Menstruation: Papaya juice can be of great help for women with irregular periods. Consumption of green, unripe papayas can also normalise the irregularity in the periodic cycle, so papayas can help to handle difficult periods.
• Arthritis: Papayas contain the properties known have been known to be effective against rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
• Boost Immune system: Eating Papaya can help to boost the immune system. The antioxidants present in papaya play an important role in making the immune system stronger. Flowers and roots of the plant have been proven to be beneficial against jaundice, bronchitis, kidney colic and other illnesses.

Advice

Having said that Papaya is beneficial to the body, it also has some disadvantages; here are some disadvantages of consuming papaya.

Papaya is Harmful to Pregnancy: Papaya is considered as a ‘hot’ fruit, high concentrations in raw and semi-ripe papayas, which can cause uterine contractions, and it can lead to abortions, so avoid eating raw papaya if you are pregnant.

Gastrointestinal Irritation: Consuming large quantities of papaya can cause a powerful laxative effect in the intestines.

Seeds: The black seeds of the papaya contain a toxic substance, which can make the nerve centers numb, and it can lead to paralysis or cardiac depression.