Papaya is a nutritional mine of the bioactive compounds and antioxidants. Raw papaya benefits the immune system and the digestive system. It has multiple therapeutic properties and it finds mention in Ayurvedic diet for healthy and sick alike.

In India, green papaya is often known as “Amrit Bhandar” that can be translated as a source of Elixir of life. It is highly recommended for weaning babies and can work wonders for lifestyle disorders. 

Papaya Consumption and Selection

Ripe Papaya

Ripe Papaya is sweet, soft, and mushy. It is cooling to the digestive system. There are multiple variations present in the market based on the region where it is produced and the color of the ripe fruit varies from light yellow to deep red in some cases.

Usually, if you purchase ripe papaya, it can last for a day or two outside. In this tenure, it will further ripen up. Hence, if you plan to consume ripe papaya fruit in the next two days, go for slightly tough but yellowish looking fruit. For immediate consumption, look for softer and dark yellow fruits.

Raw Papaya

Green Papaya is often consumed as a vegetable in Southeast Asia. It is added to the soups and curries. It is also consumed as a salad with local herbs and spices. Here is a delicious Papaya salad recipe for you to make. Green papaya is also added to desserts along with jaggery and coconut in India.

It is highly recommended to be added to the diets of Diabetics and people suffering from cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and inflammation.

Seeds of papaya have been prohibited for young men, women, and expecting mothers as they promote infertility. Unripe papaya should be consumed by pregnant women in small quantities only as it possesses laxative properties and may induce abortion tendency in some.

This effect has been observed in animal studies with concentrated extracts, so a small quantity of unripe papaya can be consumed for its nutritional and health benefits.

Green Papaya Nutritional Value

  • It is a rich source of antioxidants, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins.
  • Nutritionally, it has high amounts of Vitamins C, A, and E and B Vitamins – Pantothenic Acid and Folate.
  • It is also a good source of minerals such as Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium.
  • Green papaya contains digestive and proteolytic enzymes Papain and Chymopapain that help to metabolize proteins into smaller amino acids.
  • It is also a great source of Lycopene that fights cancerous cells and promotes the biosynthesis of important carotenoids.
  • It contains Carpaine that slows down the heart rate and reduces blood pressure.
  • Also, it is a rich source of Fibrin that dissolves blood clots and promotes the quality of blood cells.

Green Papaya Benefits for Health

  • Anti-Diabetic – helps manage blood sugar levels. It also stops Diabetes-related cardiovascular disorders.
  • It is a galactagogue and boosts both milk production and secretion.
  • It lowers cholesterol and promotes HDL levels. Reduces the tendency of strokes by the removal of blood clots and lowering down blood pressure.
  • Scavenges free radicals due to the high concentration of anti-oxidants. It has anti-cancerous properties and is effective for colon cancer and prostate cancer in specific due to high concentrations of lycopene.
  • It helps to fight off inflammation, reduces pain from injuries and helps to recover faster due to a high concentration of proteolytic enzymes.
  • Supports gastrointestinal health due to a high concentration of fiber, the presence of bioactive compounds, and digestive enzymes.
  • It helps reduce the intensity of inflammation-related disorders such as asthma, arthritis, and skin diseases.
  • Boosts the immune system with its rich profile of bioactive compounds and digestive enzymes.
  • It promotes digestive fire – good metabolism and also helps to get relief from metabolic health disorders such as Diabetes, Obesity, and Hypertension.

References

Potential medicinal properties of Carica Papaya Linn

Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of Carica papaya

Unripe papaya as a potential source for diabetic and diabetic-wound healing therapy

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