Papaya (Carica papaya) is a tropical fruit that has long been known as a wonder of tropics. It is a very delicious, wholesome and refreshing fruit with a unique food value. Papaya is very nutritious, it contains high quantities of Vitamins A and ranks second to mango in the content of Vitamins A (carotene).
Papaya offers numerous benefits, including high nutritional value and affordability. Various parts of the papaya plant, such as the flesh, leaves, and latex, contain compounds that can aid in treating or preventing health issues, including skin conditions, gastrointestinal problems, and certain infections.
Benefits of Papaya:
Papaya offers numerous health benefits. It is suggested that papaya help in reducing the inflammation, aiding in digestion and also reducing the risks of Alzihmer. It’s every part like roots, stem, leaves, fruits are used in treating certain ailments.
1. Rich in Nutrients : Papayas are an excellent source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A. They also contain Vitamins E, K, B Vitamins, Folate, alpha and beta carotene, lycopene. Similarly, minerals like magnesium, potassium, and a small amount of calcium and iron.
2. Digestive health : Papayas are high in dietary fibre which promotes healthy digestion and helps in maintaining digestive health. The enzyme papain present in the papaya helps in breaking down proteins, aiding in digestion and potentially alleviating constipation.
3. Antioxidant properties : Papaya is rich in beta-carotene and lycopene, which are powerful oxidants with several anti-cancer properties. They reduce the risks of cancer and slow growth of the tumours.
4. Heart health : The fiber, potassium, and vitamins in papayas can help reduce cholesterol levels and improve heart health. Antioxidants in papaya such as lycopene can reduce inflammation, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
5. Vision and eye health : Papaya is a good source of Vitamin A and beta-carotene which is important for vision and eye health. Carotene is related to vision improvement and helps in the prevention of night blindness. Zeaxanthin, an antioxidant found in papaya, helps filter out damaging blue light rays.
6. Boost Immune system : The vitamin C present in papaya enhances immune function and helps in the production of collagen, important for skin and tissue health. It helps to fight against illness and may also help in wound healing.
How to Eat and Enjoy Papaya
Papaya is a versatile fruit which can be enjoyed by different ways.
Ripe fruit
Raw papaya
Fruit salad
Papaya smoothie
Papaya juice
Green papaya salad
As a dessert
Papaya in curries
Baked papaya
Selecting and Preparing Papaya
Choosing a Ripe Papaya:
Colour: Look for papayas with skin that is turning from green to yellow. Fully ripe papayas will be mostly yellow with a hint of orange.
Aroma: Ripe papayas will have a sweet fragrance at the stem end.
Preparing Papaya:
Wash: Rinse the papaya under cold water to remove any dirt or residues.
Peel: Cut the papaya in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to remove the black seeds. You can eat the seeds if you like—they have a peppery taste and are often used in salad dressings.
Slice: Remove the skin using a vegetable peeler or a knife. Cut the papaya into slices, cubes, depending on your preference and the dish you are preparing.
Risks of papaya
For most of the cases, ripe papaya does not cause side effects if taken in appropriate amounts unless you have allergies. Those with latex allergies may experience some sort of reaction after eating papaya.
Similarly, unripe papaya is considered unsafe for pregnant women. It is suggested that the enzyme papain present in the unripe papaya might poison the baby or may cause some birth defects. Excessive use of papain supplements can cause esophageal damage and stomach ulcers in normal people too.
Eating too much papaya can lead to digestive issues such as diarrhoea due to its high fiber content. Thus, it should be taken in appropriate amounts. Be specific about choosing the papaya. Do Not consume large amounts of unripened papaya.