Papaya is generally known as the “fruit of the angels”. It is a nutritious fruit that offers numerous health benefits.

Nutritional profile

• It contains lesser amounts of carbohydrates
• It also contains adequate amount of dietary fibre
• It contains desirable amount of protein as well
• It also contains fat and it is significantly rich in unsaturated fatty acids. It does not contain enough saturated fatty acids and totally free from cholesterol
• It contains numerous vitamins and significantly rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, vitamin E, pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) and folic acid (Vitamin B9)
• It also contains several important trace elements such as sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron
• It contains several biologically active components, which make it relatively healthier that include flavonoids, chymopapain, papain, tocopherol, cyanogenic glucoside, cystatin and glucosinolates

Biological characteristics

Antioxidant property

• Carotene is the chief antioxidant component of papaya that helps to protect the body from oxidative damages
• It helps to reduce the concentration of free radicals within body thus decreases its harmful consequences
• It helps to prevent oxidative stress as well
• It helps to protect various important biological components of body from oxidation and helps to promote their functionality

• It also plays vital role in maintaining the structure and functions of every cells as it protects them from oxidative damages thus its consumption is very effective for decreasing the prevalence of chronic illness

Anti-inflammatory property

• It plays significant role in preventing inflammation as it is related with decreasing the concentration of inflammatory markers in body
• Its carotene content is considered as the principal compound responsible for exerting anti-inflammatory activities and it significantly reduces the level of CRP (most effective inflammatory markers) in body
• It also helps to prevent swelling and pain
• It is better to consume papaya for delaying the onset of inflammatory events within body thus helps to decrease the prevalence of chronic inflammatory diseases

Anti-carcinogenic property

• Lycopene content of papaya is considered as the principal anti-carcinogenic component, which is responsible for reducing the risk of carcinoma
• It helps to suppress the growth of cancerous cells by promoting apoptosis
• It helps to prevent metastasis as well
• It also reduces the growth of tumor cells
• Consumption of papaya is very effective for decreasing the prevalence of breast, stomach and pancreatic cancer

Analgesic property

• Papain enzyme present in papaya exhibits potent analgesic activities that help to reduce pain
• It is extremely useful for reducing arthritic pain
• It is better to consume papaya than consuming anti-inflammatory drug for the prevention of swelling and pain

Health benefits

Role on immunity

• Vitamin, A, C, K and B complex components of papaya act as superb immunity boosters
• It significantly enhances the defense mechanism of body and protects the body against infections
• It is closely associated with enhancing the synthesis of WBC that supports the entire immune system

Role on eye health

• Its consumption is awfully helpful for enhancing vision
• Its carotene, zeaxanthin and lutein components are considered as the main eye protective components that help to protect the membrane of eye from damages and promote its health
• It helps to prevent retinal dystrophy
• It helps to prevent night blindness as well
• Its consumption is very effective for reducing the prevalence of age related macular degeneration

Role on blood

• Consumption of papaya is very good for blood
• It is rich in folic acid, which plays significant role in facilitating the growth and maturation of both RBC and WBC in body

Role on digestive health

• Papain is an important enzyme present in papaya that plays imperative role in promoting digestion, especially protein digestion
• It also contains significant amount of fibre and water, which help in smooth bowel movement thus aid in preventing constipation
• It also helps to enhance colonic health by promoting peristalsis
• Consumption of papaya is very effective for reducing gastrointestinal discomfort or irritation or bloating

Role on skin

• Individual who wants to obtain a healthy and youthful skin should consume papaya
• Its antioxidant activity is responsible for reducing the prevalence of dermal disorders as it helps to protect the skin from oxidative damages
• It also helps to prevent ageing
• It helps to improve skin glow as well
• Its Vitamin C content is responsible for increasing skin elasticity by stimulating the synthesis of connective tissue (collagen)
• Application of pureed papaya on skin significantly improves skin softness
• It also acts as an effective skin cleanser thus it is better to rub papaya slice on face
• It helps to protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV ray and also prevents sun burn

Role on hair

• It helps to promote hair growth
• Its Vitamin contents (especially Vitamin A) play significant role in promoting the synthesis of sebum, which is essentially required for keeping the hair smooth and lustrous
• It helps to prevent hair loss as well as hair damages

Role on weight management

• It is a good option for obes individual as it is low in calorie
• Its fibre content also helps to prevent obesity by reducing the concentration of fat (especially cholesterol) within body
• It helps to reduce appetite by providing a feeling of fullness that prevents hunger as well as over eating and facilitates weight reduction

Therapeutic advantages

• It acts as an effective therapeutic agent for preventing the susceptibility of cardio vascular diseases as it is rich in various cardio protective components like phytonutrients, antioxidants, potassium and vitamins
• Its consumption is incredibly helpful for enhancing cardiac functionality
• It also helps to keep the artery healthy by promoting blood flow
• It helps to prevent atherosclerosis too as it has lipid lowering activity thus reduces the risk of developing plaque in artery hence decreases the prevalence of coronary artery disease
• It is very low in carbohydrates hence it can be easily consumed by diabetic patient as it will not increase glycemic load
• Individual who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease should consume papaya. It has seen that antioxidant present in papaya plays imperative role in protecting the brain cells from oxidative damages, which helps to delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease
• It helps to treat sore throats
• It promotes wound healing as well
• Its consumption is exceptionally effectual for reducing muscle soreness
• It is closely related with boosting up the synthesis of platelets thus it is effectively used in dengue treatment

General considerations of using papaya

• Ripe and unripe papaya both can be consumed
• The seeds of papaya should be scooped out before consumption
• Papaya can be utilized for preparing several dishes such as jam, salsa, smoothie, salads or relish
• Papain is the most important component present in papaya has profound health benefits but it should be kept in mind that too much consumption of papaya may cause papain accumulation in body, which is not very healthy. It will cause various health complications like stomach irritation or throat irritation or esophageal perforation or allergic reaction
• It is better to include papaya in regular diet (as per recommended amount) for improving the overall health status

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