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What is papaya fruit: what benefits does it give to the body
04.03.2024 11:10
Papaya is a tropical fruit. Despite its valuable properties, papaya is still not very popular in Russia.
So, let's take a closer look at the properties and healing effects of papaya on the human body.
Papaya fruits are completely edible. Thus, you can eat both the pulp and the peel, seeds.
It is worth noting that all parts of the papaya differ significantly in taste. In Western countries, papaya is mainly considered a fruit, and in tropical countries, where it comes from, it is also treated as a natural medicine. The medicinal part consists of fruits, leaves and seeds.
Papaya - Nutrients
Papaya is a rich source of antioxidants. This fruit also contains flavonoids, a large amount of vitamin C, vitamin A and B vitamins.
In addition, papaya contains minerals such as iron, copper, magnesium, potassium, as well as pantothenic acid and enzymes. One of the most important is the enzyme papain. Papaya fruits are low in calories and do not contain cholesterol.
Papaya - properties
The enzyme papaya contains - papain - improves digestion processes and also prevents stomach ulcers. Papaya also helps restore damaged intestinal walls.
In turn, thanks to antioxidants, it rids the body of free radicals, cleansing it and preventing digestive diseases and damage to the DNA structure.
Eating papaya is often recommended after antibiotic treatment because it is very good at balancing the bacterial flora in the digestive tract.
Papaya also has anti-inflammatory properties and supports the immune system. Therefore, this fruit protects the body from various types of infections and also has antibacterial properties.
In addition, it has a very positive effect on the circulatory system. Papaya slows down the development of heart disease, reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack, and improves vision.
Papaya as a medicine
Papain, contained in papaya, improves digestive processes. This is due to the fact that the action of papain is very similar to a component of human gastric juice - pepsin. The difference between them is that papain works in any environment, be it acidic, neutral or alkaline.
It helps with problems with digesting large amounts of proteins, and due to its action in any environment, both neutral and alkaline, it does not allow the acidity of the digestive system to increase.
Lycopene contained in papaya protects against heart disease and the entire circulatory system. Consuming papaya can prevent heart attack or stroke and effectively reduces blood cholesterol levels.
Promotes good vision – Frequent consumption of papaya can reduce the risk of macular degeneration, especially in older people. Papaya owes this effect to the presence of carotenoids, which include lutein in particular.
Supports weight loss – mainly due to papain, because it speeds up digestive processes, as well as the processes of burning proteins and fats.
Accelerates skin regeneration - the gel obtained from the stem, leaves and fruits regenerates the skin after abrasions or scratches. In addition, the population of Asia and Africa uses papaya as a cure for warts.
Papaya in the kitchen
It is a delicious fruit that can be used as a healthy snack throughout the day.
Can be one of the ingredients in fruit salads.
Papaya is also a healthy addition to desserts.
This fruit, combined with, for example, coconut milk, can create a very valuable and nutritious cocktail.
Papaya seeds have a distinctive, rather pungent taste, somewhat reminiscent of horseradish. For this reason, they can be used as a seasoning for some dishes, salads or sauces.
Due to the fact that papaya contains a large amount of pectin, it can be subjected to various processes. The fruit can be used to prepare products such as jams, syrups, juices and compotes.
Papaya as a cosmetic product
The papain enzyme found in papaya is a component of the so-called enzyme peeling. Thanks to plant enzymes, cosmetics naturally and gently exfoliate dead skin cells without the need for rubbing movements.
These are gentle preparations recommended for all skin types, especially sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Papaya is included in anti-cellulite cosmetics.
Earlier we talked about a method for cooking liver that will make it soft and not rubbery.
