Papaya is a tropical fruit characterized by its distinctive color and smell. It is commonly consumed alone or used in the preparation of soft drinks and juices. This food has become very popular for its properties that promote good digestive health and prevent diseases such as asthma, cancer, and cardiovascular problems.
Its scientific name is Carica papaya and it belongs to the Caricaceae family. It grows on a small tree with a single stem that is rarely branched, with large leaves measuring 20 to 60 centimeters. It is widely cultivated for its edible fruit, says Isela Juárez in the text Carica papaya: a plant with therapeutic effect from the Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco Villahermosa in Mexico.
Papaya is native to the tropical regions of Mexico and Central America. It is distributed in all tropical countries and subtropical regions of the world. Juarez describes it as a “ yellow or orange fruit, with milky juice, numerous black seeds .”
Initially, the skin is green, and after ripening on the tree it turns greenish-yellow. This process takes approximately 10 months, depending on the type to which it belongs.
Properties
According to nutritionist Christa Gonzalez, papaya is rich in vitamins C and A, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. This fruit is composed of water, carbohydrates, and papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins.
What is papaya used for?
Papaya is known for its digestive properties and is often consumed when one has stomach problems and wants to increase intestinal flora says naturopath Gabriela Ordoñez. However, this fruit also has other benefits.
“There are reports that the ripe fruit is used as a laxative, antibiotic, antibacterial, and digestive. In addition, papaya juice is used to treat warts and ulcers. The latex contains a high percentage of papain, which is used to treat malaria, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, jaundice, and intestinal helminthiasis,” says Juárez.
While the flowers are used in infusion to promote menstruation and its bark for toothaches, the root poultice is used for centipede bites, adds the professional.
Other benefits of papaya are:
- Prevents asthma: People who consume large amounts of this fruit are less likely to suffer from asthma, due to the beta-carotene that is also found in broccoli, melon, carrots, and pumpkin.
- Aids digestion: Papain, the enzyme that helps digest proteins from other foods, is known to improve digestive health. Experts say that green papaya helps reduce the development of bacteria that cause intestinal diseases.
- Improves constipation: Fruits that are rich in fiber are beneficial for intestinal transit, thus improving constipation problems. Papaya provides approximately three times the daily fiber requirement of the body.
- Prevents cardiovascular diseases: the flavonoid cryptoxanthin plays the role of antioxidant, protecting LDL cholesterol and preventing this type of disease. It also slows down premature aging of cells.
- Improves skin health: When papaya is crushed and placed on the skin, it helps heal wounds and prevent infections, especially when they are burnt. In ointments, it is used to treat ulcers.
- Prevents cancer: Due to the content of the antioxidant beta-carotene, this fruit helps prevent cancer, such as prostate cancer.
- Regulates blood sugar: Being a food rich in fiber, people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes have better blood sugar, lipid, and insulin levels.
Why it is recommended to eat it on an empty stomach
Papain is one of the components that most help health. Therefore, Gonzalez indicates that drinking papaya in a smoothie on an empty stomach is beneficial for digestion and nutrient absorption. It also strengthens the immune system due to the vitamin C it provides. The vitamin K it contains helps absorb calcium and maintain bone health.
“Since papaya is a fruit that not everyone likes, one of the best ways to consume it is in a smoothie on an empty stomach. It can also be consumed as a snack,” says the nutritionist.