Health Benefits Of Papaya

Papaya just as every other fruits has several health benefits. What’s is even this papaya we are talking about. Papaya is the fruit from the Carica papaya plant which is usually called pawpaw in some West African countries. Its Origin is Central America and Southern Mexico but it is now cultivated in many other parts of the world.

Before we head to the Health benefits of papaya or pawpaw as most people call it, lets first of all correct an impression about papaya and pawpaw.

There has been confusion about papaya and pawpaw with several people using the two names interchangeably or referring to the same fruit in the fruits store. However, these two terms refer to different fruits.

One of the major cause of this confusion between papaya and pawpaw is that the two fruits looks alike morphologically. However, it is important to highlight the difference between papaya and pawpaw.

WHAT IS A PAWPAW?

A pawpaw fruit is large yellow in color and is grown in many parts of the world and sold in both fruit shops and even markets. The fruit has nutritional benefits that make it be highly recommended to infants and other people who are experiencing nutritional deficiencies.

WHAT IS A PAPAYA?

Papaya fruit is oval in shape and has an orange to reddish color. This fruit has a sweet taste and perform well in tropical climatic conditions, which makes it prevalent in countries within the tropics while at the same time containing the delicious tropical flavor.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PAWPAW AND PAPAYA

1) Size and Shape of Pawpaw and Papaya
Pawpaw fruit is large and round in shape while papaya is medium in size and oval in shape.

2) Color of Pawpaw and Papaya
Pawpaw is yellow in color while papaya is orange to reddish.

3) Taste of Pawpaw and Papaya
Pawpaw has a Mellon taste to banana taste while papaya has sweet and tropical flavor.

4) Growing Climate for Pawpaw and Papaya
Pawpaw thrive well in temperate and hilly terrain conditions while papaya performs well in warm, wet, and tropical regions.

5) Size of Pawpaw and Papaya Trees.
Pawpaw are small trees and shrubs while papaya are true tall trees.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF PAPAYA

Apart from the fact that it’s extremely rich in Vitamin C, the health benefits of papaya are so numerous. Here are some of the top health benefits of papaya.

1. Lowers Cholesterol

Papaya fruit is rich in fibre, Vitamin C and antioxidants which prevent cholesterol build up in our arteries. Too much cholesterol built-up can lead to so many heart diseases including and not limited to heart attack, hypertension, etc.

2. Helps In Weight Loss

Those looking to lose weight must include papaya in their diet as it is very low in calories. The fibre content in papaya leaves you feeling full and also clears your bowel movement making your weight loss regime easier.

3. Boosts Your Immunity

Your immunity system acts as a shield against various infections that can make you really sick. A single papaya contains more than 200% of your daily requirement of Vitamin C, making it great for your immunity.

4. Good For Diabetics

Papaya is an excellent food option for diabetics as it has a low-sugar content even though it is sweet to taste. Also, people who don’t have diabetes can eat papaya to prevent it from happening.

5. Great For Your Eyes

Papaya is rich in Vitamin A which helps protect your vision from degenerating. Nobody wants to lose their ability to see due to diseases like age-related macular degeneration, and eating papayas will ensure that you do not see a day where you cannot see.

6. Protects Against Arthritis

Arthritis can be a really debilitating disease and people who have it may find their quality of life reduced significantly. Eating papayas are good for your bones as they have antiinflammatory properties along with Vitamin C which helps in keeping various forms of arthritis at bay. A study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases showed that people who consumed foods low in Vitamin C were three times more likely to have arthritis than those who didn’t.

7. Improves Digestion

In today’s times, it is near impossible to avoid eating foods that are bad for your digestive system. Often we find ourselves eating junk food or restaurant food prepared in excessive quantities of oil. Eating a papaya daily can make up for such occasional mistakes, as it has a digestive enzyme known as papain along with fibre which helps improve your digestive health.

8. Helps Ease Menstrual Pain

Women who are experiencing menstrual pain should help themselves to several servings of papaya, as an enzyme called papain helps in regulating and easing flow during menstrual periods.

9. Prevents Signs Of Ageing

All of us would love to stay young forever, but no one in this world has managed to do it. Still, healthy habits like eating a papaya daily will prolong the process and may make you look 5 years younger than you are. Papaya is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E and antioxidants like beta carotene which helps prevent your skin from free radical damage keeping wrinkles and other signs of ageing at bay.

10. Prevents Cancer

Papaya is a rich source of antioxidants, phytonutrients and flavonoids that prevent your cells from undergoing free radical damage. Some studies have also linked the consumption papaya to reduced risk of colon and prostate cancer.

11. Helps Reduce Stress

After working hard for the whole day, it is a good idea to come home to a plate a papayas. The wonder fruit is rich in several nutrients like Vitamin C which can keep you free from stress. According to a study conducted in University of Alabama, found that 200 mg of Vitamin C can help regulate the flow of stress hormones in rats.

PAPAYA BENEFITS FOR SKIN.

Apply Papaya to Skin to Help Relieve a Sunburn

Because papaya is a natural anti-inflammatory, it can also repair skin after a sunburn. Wait until a papaya ripens and then crush the fruit with a fork. Apply crushed papaya to your skin. Leave it on for about five minutes before washing off. Other Papaya benefits for skin include.

– Moisturizes Skin
– Clears Pigmentation
– Reduces Wrinkles
– Reduces Under-Eye Dark Circles
– Helps Treat Eczema And Psoriasis
– Treats Melasma
– Removes Tan
– Controls Acne Breakout

We recommend you also go through the health benefits of cucumber and health benefits of pepper, it will help you know How To compliment your meal for the Best health outcome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BPyn5LPzW4

CONCLUSION.

Papaya has numerous health benefits to our system and skin, hence it should be Incorporated into our diet on daily basis for optimum well-being.
And lastly, now that you know the difference between papaya and pawpaw never use then interchangeably again! ☺