Health Benefits of Papaya
The slender tree, which sometimes reaches 10 meters in height, with branches located at the top, is called a papaya or melon tree. People have learned and use the beneficial properties of papaya for a very long time. The tree is now grown in all countries with suitable climates, mainly in the tropics.
The tree, which looks a bit like a palm tree, is home to Central and South America, as well as southern Mexico. For the experimental purpose of planting papayas are grown in botanical gardens located on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus.
Health benefits of papaya fruit
Papaya is considered a real storehouse of vitamins and minerals. It is advised to use it to prevent avitominosis and to strengthen the immune system. Delicious fruits are suitable for dietary nutrition, since 90% of their mass is water.
The amount of carbohydrates is 8 g per 100 g of papaya pulp, and there are very few proteins and fats. The calorie content of the product is only 39 kcal.
The beta-carotene contained in papaya restores vision, improves the condition of the skin, nails and hair. Regular consumption of the fruit helps to achieve results that have a positive effect on the general condition of a person.
Here are the benefits of papaya for the body:
- Prevents manifestations of thrombosis, reduces cholesterol and atherosclerotic deposits on the walls of blood vessels. Strengthens the myocardium - the heart muscle.
- Cleans the gastrointestinal tract from various toxins, poisons and metabolic products due to fibers that absorb harmful substances without disturbing the natural microflora.
- With the help of fresh juice (freshly squeezed juice) from papaya fruits, you can destroy pathogenic microorganisms in the intestines, get rid of microcracks or ulcers.
- Reduce the feeling of pain. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the papaya fruit make it easier to endure diseases such as osteochondrosis (due to the build-up of connective tissue between the vertebrae), arthritis, migraine.
- Destroy worms, lamblia, salmonella.
- Reduce puffiness and detoxify the kidneys.
- Reduce high fever due to the salicylic acid contained in papaya.
- Accelerate skin regeneration in case of burns and frostbite.
- Reduce the risk of developing cancer. Papaya should be included in the diet of those people whose relatives have had cancer of the stomach, bladder, gastrointestinal tract. The antioxidants contained in this healing fruit inhibit the development of both benign and malignant tumors.
- Improve eyesight. Vitamin A effectively inhibits lens aging (dullness) and retinal macular degeneration.
Papaya is a very healthy fruit, but those fruits that have been processed with chemicals can be harmful to human health.
Benefits of papaya and the use of "angel fruit"
Christopher Columbus called this fragrant and sweet fruit "the fruit of the angels". For a long time in European countries and in Russia it was considered exotic. But now papaya can be bought all year round.
Basically, the fruits are used for food. They are quite soft, amber or orange in color, and the flesh can be red.They are peeled and seedless and eaten raw. The inside of the fruit has cavities filled with black seeds with a spicy flavor. Unripe fruits are usually stewed and used in salads. In the south of India, they are traditionally used to prepare curry, which is served with rice.
When papaya is baked, the aroma of fresh bread begins to emanate from the fruit, which is why this tree is often called bread tree.
Europeans consume papaya slices as an independent dish, but add grated parmesan. It is usually peeled and sliced like a melon. And the Thais pour juice lime - green lemon and eaten with pleasure for breakfast. It turns out to be very satisfying, as papaya contains a lot of proteins and carbohydrates. The popular Som salad there, which is also included in the national cuisine of Thailand, is prepared on the basis of green papaya fruits. In 2011, it was included in the list of the 50 most delicious dishes in the world.
Papaya contains choline, which helps a person fall asleep faster, improves memory, and has a positive effect on brain function.
Contraindications to the use of papaya
When picking fruits, the plant releases latex, a milky juice, the same, approximately as in dandelion... In some people, skin contact with this liquid can cause an allergic reaction or irritation.
Also, do not use papaya if:
- there is a suspicion of individual intolerance to the fruit, it is better to consult with your doctor about this;
- there is a chance of pregnancy, since latex contained in unripe fruits can provoke a miscarriage in some women or pose a threat to it;
- a course of treatment of any disease with the use of drugs is being carried out, the possibility of their combination with papaya fruits has not been studied enough, a doctor's consultation is necessary.
Despite the fact that papaya can lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, they should be extremely careful to consume these fruits, as they are quite high in fructose.
Before use, you should definitely visit an endocrinologist and discuss with him the possibility of using them in the menu.
Most beneficial properties of papaya for women
Papaya is very good for appearance. It allows you to remove wrinkles, smooth the skin, and even remove spots after burns. Thanks to the vitamins contained in the fruit, the skin is toned and moisturized. The pulp can be used for scrubbing. Papaya mask is excellent for removing unwanted hair. The acids it contains can destroy keratin and restrict the development of hair follicles, but only when applied externally. And if you eat the fruit, the effect will be the opposite. All this makes papaya very useful for women who want to have a beautiful appearance.