Papaya is commonly known to have benefits to ease defecate and fixing the problems in the gastrointestinal tract. However, it turns out that papaya has many other benefits for the body.
Papaya is a plant that leaves and fruit can be beneficial to the body. Papaya leaf can be useful as a medicine. While papaya fruit can be used to prevent and treat gastrointestinal disorders, intestinal infections, sedatives, and diuretics. Papaya can also be used as a meat tenderizer because it has papain content.
What is the nutritional content of papaya?
Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which can break down the protein chain in meat. In a small papaya weighing 152 grams contains the following:
- 59 calories
- 15-grams carbohydrates
- 3-gram fiber
- 1-gram protein
- Vitamin C: 157% of the total vitamin C the body needs in a day
- Vitamin A: 33% of the total vitamin A the body needs in a day
- Folate: 14% of the total folate the body needs in a day
- Potassium: 11% of the total potassium the body needs in a day
- There are several other contents such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin B1, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin E, and vitamin K
Papaya also contains antioxidants called carotenoids. The highest type of carotenoids in papaya is lycopene.
Papaya is a powerful antioxidant
Antioxidant carotenoids contained in papaya can help neutralize free radicals that can prevent damage to parts of the body.
Papaya has anticancer properties
According to research, the content of lycopene in papaya can reduce the risk of cancer. Strong antioxidants in papaya have an important role to reduce free radicals that trigger cancer.
Papaya can improve heart health
Research shows that fruits that have a high content of lycopene and vitamin C can help prevent heart disease. Antioxidants in papaya can protect the heart and increase the production of HDL or good cholesterol.
In one study, a person who took a fermented papaya supplement for 14 weeks experienced a decrease in inflammation and better LDL levels and HDL levels to be better than people who did not consume it. The good results obtained from studies related to a decreased risk of heart disease.
Papaya can help relieve inflammation
The level of inflammation can be measured by blood tests such as C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In one study showed that a person who consumed carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables could have a significant decrease in CRP.
Papaya can improve digestion
Papain enzymes in the fruit can help proteins more easily digested. In one study showed that someone who took a supplement made from papaya for 40 days can improve constipation and bloat significantly. Seeds, leaves, and roots of papaya proved to be effective for treating ulcers.
Papaya can help repair skin damage
In addition to maintaining the healthy body, papaya can help skin look firmer and youthful. Excessive free radical activity can lead to skin experiencing wrinkles, sagging and skin damage that occurs at the age of 30 years. Vitamin C and lycopene in papaya are able to protect the skin and help reduce signs of aging.
In one study, a person who consumed lycopene for 10-12 weeks can relieve skin redness due to exposure to sunlight. In another study, elderly women who consumed a combination of lycopene, vitamin C and antioxidants for 14 weeks experienced decreased lines and wrinkles on the skins.
Papaya can help lower blood sugar levels for diabetics
In a study note that someone who consumed papaya that has been fermented every day for 2 months can lower blood sugar levels in diabetics.
Maybe you think that papaya only has a few benefits. But apparently, the benefits of this fruit are extraordinary and can be regarded as a solution for some people with chronic diseases.
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