Monday 21 January 2013

Health benefits of Papaya ( Papita )

Papaya is a powerhouse of Nutrients....!

“Papaya” is recommended to be one such pick from the group of Yellow and orange fruits, which promises abundant health benefits. It is a melon like fruit with yellow- orange flesh with dozens of small black seeds enclosed in skin that ranges in color from green to orange. Papaya has high nutritional benefits. It is rich in Anti-oxidants, the B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid; and the minerals, potassium and magnesium; and fiber. Together, “these nutrients promote the health of the cardiovascular system and also provide protection against colon cancer.” In addition, papaya contains the digestive enzyme, papain, which is used like bromelain, a similar enzyme found in pineapple, to treat sports injuries, other causes of trauma, and allergies. Vitamin C and vitamin A, which is made in the body from the beta-carotene in papaya, are both needed for the proper function of a healthy immune system. Papaya may therefore be a healthy fruit choice for preventing such illnesses as recurrent ear infections, colds and flu.

Nutritive value of Papaya : Per 100 gm.

VITAMINS
o Vitamin A  : 1,750 I.U
o Vitamin B  : Thiamine 0.03 mg.
o Riboflavin : 0.04 mg.
o Niacin       : 0.3 mg.
o Vitamin C : 56 mg.
o Also contains Vitamin E and K.
  • MINERALS
o Calcium        : 20 mg.
o Iron                : 0.3 mg.
o Phosphorus: 16 mg.
o Potassium   : 470 mg.
  • FAT : 0.1 gm.
  • CAROHYDRATES : 10gm.
  • PROTEIN : 0.6gm.
  • CALORIES : 39
Reported Health Benefits of Papaya

  • Papaya contains the digestive enzyme papain and therefore valuable for aiding digestion.
  • The unique protein-digesting enzymes; papain and chymopapain have been shown to help lower inflammation and to improve healing from burns in addition to helping in digestion of proteins. The antioxidant nutrients found in papaya, including vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, are also very good at reducing inflammation.
  • The ripe fruit is easily digestible and prevents constipation.
  • The juice of the papaya aids in relieving infections of the colon and has a tendency to break down pus and mucus reached by the juice.
  • May help prevent cancer in organs and glands with epithelial tissue (ripe papaya). Papaya’s fiber is able to bind to cancer-causing toxins in the colon and keep them away from the healthy colon cells. In addition, papaya’s folate, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and vitamin E have each been associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer
  • Prevents nausea (includes morning sickness and motion sickness)
  • The seeds are antihelmintic, for expelling worms and they are given with honey. Chew and swallow two teaspoonfuls of seeds after each principal meal (three times a day).
  • Papayas may be very helpful for the prevention of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. Papayas are an excellent source of vitamin C as well as a good source of vitamin E and vitamin A (through their concentration of pro-vitamin A carotenoid phytonutrients), three very powerful antioxidants.
  • Papayas are also a good source of fiber, which has been shown to lower high cholesterol levels.
Papaya Contains Antioxidants
One of the benefits of eating papaya is that it helps to prevent cancer. Papaya is a rich source of antioxidants that the body needs to fight against cancer-causing cells. Vitamin C, E and beta-carotenes are antioxidants that prevent all kinds of cancers. So adding a daily serving of papaya to your diet may lessen your risk of developing cancer.
Papaya is Used to Treat Digestive Disorders
Papaya is a great source of proteolytic enzymes that are very important in digesting food. The most important of these proteolytic enzymes found in papaya is papain. Papain breaks down proteins in food, allowing for better digestion. Papain is used in prescription of digestive enzymes to treat individuals with cystic fibrosis or pancreatic conditions; producing for them what the body cannot produce naturally. Eating papaya is also a benefit because papain taken orally treats less serious digestion disorders such as bloating and chronic indigestion. In these cases papain is extracted, dried and sold as tablets.
Papaya Boosts Male Virility
Another great benefit of papaya is to boost male virility. Papaya contains an enzyme called arginine which is known in the medically community to boost blood flow around the penis. Arginine boosts nitric acid in the body to relax the muscles surrounding the blood vessels tat supply the penis. These blood vessels then dilate and increase blood flow. A more concentrated form of arginine is used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Papaya Prevents Premature Aging
Many alternative medical practitioners believe that one of the benefits of papaya is to control premature aging. Papaya helps the body to properly digest food and when the body digests all the nutrients it needs, the body will remain vital for a long time.
Papaya is Used as a Cleanser
Taking a quarter pint (150ml) of papaya juice, cucumber juice and green bean juice in alternating hours for 12 hours can be a benefit to your colon. These juices work as potent natural cleansers when combined.
Papaya is also rich in fiber, which travels through the body and binds itself to cancer-causing toxins in the colon. The fiber in papaya flushes out the toxins in the colon and so one of the benefits of papaya is that it helps prevent colon cancer especially, due to its antioxidants and its fiber content.
Papaya Prevents Heart Attacks and Strokes
The antioxidants in papaya prevent cholesterol from oxidizing. When cholesterol becomes oxidized it forms plaque in the blood vessel walls that can eventually build up and cause a heart attack or stroke.
Also, fiber is known to lower cholesterol. The fiber in papaya converts a substance called homocysteine into harmless amino acids that the body can process, but without the breakdown, homocysteine can eventually damage blood vessel walls, causing strokes or heart attacks.
Papaya Treats Inflammation
Papain and chymopapain, protein-digestive enzymes found in papaya lowers inflammation and improve healing from burns. Papain breaks down the inactive proteins in the skin, removing dead tissue from burns. This benefits the body as it helps heal skin injuries, relieves psoriasis, removes warts, treats ringworms and cold sores.
Also vitamins C, E and beta carotenes are good at reducing inflammation and as such these nutrients are used to treat asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis among many other inflammatory ailments.

 Reference: http://www.gurumaa.com, http://voices.yahoo.com

Side Effects of Eating Too Much Papaya



The sweet, juicy orange flesh of the papaya is packed with nutrients, making the tropical fruit an ideal snack anytime. A medium-sized papaya contains approximately 120 calories, 20 percent of the average adult's fiber requirements and more than three times the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. However, eating too much of a good thing can sometimes cause some unpleasant side effects.

Skin Discoloration

Eating too much of a yellow, green or orange-colored food that contains beta carotene can cause a benign form of skin discoloration called carotenemia.

Respiratory Distress

Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which is used to soothe digestive complaints and to counter inflammation in the throat.

Possible Kidney Stones

A single papaya measuring 5 inches long with a 3-inch diameter contains up to 310 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.Consuming more than 1,200 mg daily for children or more than 2,000 mg of vitamin C in adults can induce toxicity symptoms, including oxalate kidney stones. Oxalate is a byproduct of vitamin C once the nutrient has been metabolized.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Gastrointestinal symptoms may be a side effect of eating too much papaya. Ironically, the same papain that calms your stomach can cause an upset stomach when taken in large amounts. The high fiber content of papaya can also contribute to unrest of the digestive system when you indulge in too much of the tropical fruit. The latex of the fruit's skin can also cause irritation of the stomach.
 
Reference: http://www.livestrong.com

4 comments:

  1. Eat Papita and Get immunity...!

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  2. Thanks for the post. You may also try the noni fruit juice for better immunity. women may take the women's choice noni juice in their regular diet so as to maintain good health.

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  3. Top 10 Health Benefits of Papaya Fruit

    Refreshingly sweet in taste, papayas are fruits that you’ll effortlessly discover in the market consistently. Encasing many dark, adjusted thick seeds, papayas are really nutritious, offering various medical advantages. Here’s the you need to know Health Benefits of Papaya Fruit.

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