Health Benefits of Papaya

• Introduction

Papaya is the scientific name of the green and orange fruit. It has soft texture and tastes sweet. The seeds of papaya are edible. They are bitterer than the fruit itself. They are fleshy and soft fruit. They are used in wide variety. They grow in tropical climates. They are also known as papaws. They are popular fruit because of their vibrant colour, sweet taste and the wide variety of the health benefits which they provide.

Papaya is a rare fruit and previously exotic fruit which we now available at most time of year.

Now days, papaya are eaten by people and also used for medicinal purposes. Today, Australia, Philippines, Ceylon, Hawaii, India and tropical regions in Africa are fruitful papaya producing regions. All over the globe, papaya has many different names. In Southern Asia, it is called a kebaya. In Australia, it is called a pawpaw. In French, it is called a fig of islands. In Spanish, it is called a mamona.

In store, we may encounter of many varieties of the papaya. Such as:

• Higgins
• Washington
• Kalaheo Solo
• Hortus Gold
• Waimanalo
• Honey Gold
• Sunnybank
• Improved Peterson
• Guinea Gold
• Bettina
• Coorg honeydew

Ø Etymology of Papaya

The term papaya is derived from the Taino word papaia. It was changed in Spanish to papaya. It is the word which used worldwide with some changes

• Origin of Papaya

Papaya is believed native to tropical America, perhaps Central America and in Southern Mexico. The exact area of origin of papaya is still unknown. About 1550, the papaya travelled from Philippines to Malacca and India and their seed are carried by Spaniards to Philippines. In 1626, the seeds of papaya were sent to Naples from India.

• History of Papaya

Papaya is believed to originate in Central America and in southern Mexico. The fruit had already spread through Central America into South America, by the time that the Spanish arrived. In 16^th century via Philippines, the Spanish were become the first who introduce papaya to Asia. After that papaya spread to India and Europe. Throughout the world, the fruit was already being grown in all tropical regions by the 19^th century. Today, the fruit can be found in various varieties and in various foods and their cultures, ranging from the savory to the sweet.

Ø Nutritional Information of Papaya

Approximately 275 grams or a medium-sized papaya contains following nutrients.

• 30g Carbohydrates
• 50g Sugar
• 120 Calories
• 1 gram Fat
• 2g Protein
• 8g Dietary Fibre
• Health Benefits of Papaya

Papaya has following health benefits.

1. Rich in Nutrients

Papaya is rich in nutrients. A medium size papaya contains the following nutrients which are very beneficial for our health. Such as:

• Vitamin A
• Pantothenic Acid
• Folate
• Magnesium
• Fibre
• Potassium
• Copper

2. Asthma Prevention

Papaya prevents from asthma. People who consume high amount of nutrients such as foods like papaya, broccoli, apricots, carrots, pumpkin and cantaloupe, having the lower risk of developing the asthma.

3. Prevent From Cancer

Papaya may prevent from various types of cancer. Beta-carotene is the antioxidant which is found in papaya may reduce the risk of cancer. A study was published in Journaled Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Bio marks, in which researchers found them those diets which are rich in beta-carotene, may play a protective role against the prostate cancer in younger men.

4. Enhance Bone Health

Papaya has the ability to enhance our body health. Low intake of the Vitamin K is associated with high risk of bone fracture. Papaya has the nutrient of Vitamin K, which are useful for bone health in many ways. As vitamin K improves calcium absorption as well as reduce the urinary excretion of calcium which showed that more calcium in our body can strengthen and rebuild our bones in healthy way.

5. Prevent from Diabetes

Papaya may help to prevent from diabetes. Researches showed that people who are suffering from type I diabetes and who consume the high fibre diets such as papaya will have lower blood glucose levels. And people with type II diabetes may improve insulin level and blood sugar after consuming papaya in a moderate level.

6. Improves Digestion

Papaya improves our digestion. It contains an enzyme which is called papain. Papain aids digestion. It is also used as a meat tenderizer. It is high in fiber and also water content. Both of which help to prevent constipation and promotes health digestive tract.

7. Lower Risk of Heart Disease

Papaya may lower the risk of heart disease. Papaya contains vitamin, fibre and potassium which are beneficial to lower down the risk of heart disease. Increase intake of potassium and decrease intake of sodium may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

8. Improves Hair Health

Papaya improves our hair health. It contains Vitamin A, which is very useful for our hair. Vitamin A is a nutrient which required for sebum production. Which is necessary for moisturizing our hair? Vitamin A is necessary for growth of bodily tissues such as hair and skin.

9. Age-related Macular Degeneration

Papaya plays an important role in lower down the age-related macular degeneration.  Zeaxanthin is an antioxidant which is found in papaya. It filters out the harmful blue light rays. It may ward off macular degeneration and it is thought to play a protective role in this concern. It is also said that higher intake of all fruits which are rich in nutrients has been shown to decreases the risk of the development of age-related macular degeneration.

Summary

To sum up, it can be concluded that, papaya play an active role in our health. It contains high levels of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and high levels of antioxidant. It is said that, those diet that are high in antioxidant may help to reduce the risk of chronic disease such as heart disease. Antioxidant presented in papaya may also prevent the oxidation of the cholesterol. It is said that when cholesterol oxidizes, it is more likely to create the blockages that lead to the heart disease. But antioxidant presented in papaya may help to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol to prevent from heart disease. That is why it is said that, papaya has many health benefits for our body.