Papaya is the yellow-colored fruit of the plant Carica papaya, the sole species in the genus Carica of the plant family caricaceae. It is also called as the paw paw fruit or common man's fruit. It was originally found in the tropical Americas; from Southern Mexico and Central America, to the South American tropics. This fruit is revered by the Latin American Indians and they called it the "fruit of the angels." The papaya is a large tree like plant that grows from a single stem and grows to a height of 5 to 10 meters. The top of the trunk is connected with spirally arranged leaves and fruit stem. The trunk is softer in structure and it is scarred with the attachments of the leaves and fruits where it once borne. The stem is unbranched mostly. Papaya is now grown in the tropical countries, it grows rapidly fruiting within 2 to 3 years. It grows well in well drained soil and in hot and humid weather.
Papaya is a spherical to pear shaped fruit that can be about 5 to 20 inches long. The ripe papaya has an yellow color and it is orange color admixed with green while it ripens. The papaya trees bear fruit year round. The flesh of papaya fruit is rich orange in color. The flesh is soft, butter-like consistency and tastes deliciously sweet in flavor. Inside the fruit, there is a cavity where papaya seeds are encased. Papaya seeds are edible, although it is somewhat bitter. Papaya is mostly eaten when ripe. It is also eaten green or about to ripe, in which the enzyme papain is more active. Raw papaya is cut to pieces to make salad and rice dishes. Ripe papaya is also used to make juice.
Nutritional Profile
Papaya is a rich source of vitamin C, beta carotene, B vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, patothenic acid, dietary fiber etc. It also contains minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, sodium etc. Papaya fruit as well as the tree is rich in an enzyme called papain, which is useful in digestion.
Nutritional Benefits:
Immune booster: Papaya is rich in immune boosting, antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E etc. Vitamin C is essential in promoting cell integrity and normal cellular functions. Vitamin A is important for growth and development, maintenance of immune mechanisms, and good vision. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant, which is involved in scavenging and preventing the propagation of free radicals in tissues by reacting with them.
Promotes Digestion: Papaya contains digestive enzyme papain, which helps to break down the food without extra digestive process required from the body. The enzyme papain helps to digest protein and aid in the absorption of nutrients. Because of the ability to digest protein, papain is used as a meat tenderizer.
Prevent Heart Disease: Because of the presence of vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E these act as powerful antioxidants preventing the oxidation of cholesterol. Oxidation of cholesterol causes it to stick to the blood vessel walls forming plaques that prevent the flow of blood or even blockage of the blood vessels causing heart attacks and strokes. The fiber in papaya also helps in lowering the cholesterol levels. The folic acid content in papaya helps in converting the harmful homocysteine to its inactive constituents, thus preventing blood vessel damage.
Anti-Inflammatory Effect: Papaya contain protein digesting enzymes papain and chymopapain which have shown to reduce inflammation and increase the healing from burns. The antioxidants found in papaya such as folate, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and vitamin E also helps reduction of inflammation. It also helps pain relief in inflammation.
Promotes Bowel Movement: Because of the high water content, presence of enzymes, and soluble fiber, which allows proper bowel movement.
Cancer Prevention: Timely elimination of bowels, and the presence of folate, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and vitamin E help to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Papaya's fiber content is able to bind with the cancer causing substances in the colon and prevent them from affecting the intestinal walls. The antioxidant nutrients such as the folate, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and vitamin E provide protection for colon cells from free radical damage.
Prevention of Arthritis: The high content of vitamin C and other antioxidants in papaya provide protection against inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
Skin Treatment: Regularly taking papaya helps in maintaining a soft and smooth skin. Application of raw papaya finely grounded and applied to face for 25 minutes helps in reduction of pimples and blemishes on the face. Similarly it is used in relieving the sores and cracks on the skin. Papaya helps in reduction of aging marks on the skin. It is also used in the treatment of burns and wounds. Mashed papaya is applied to the area of the wound which helps to aid healing.and prevent infection.
