Papaya, flavonoids, chymopapain, papain, tocopherol, cyanogenic glucoside components and antioxidant activity
Description : Papaya is generally known as the “fruit of the angels”. It is a nutritious fruit that offers
Article Details :
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
