Papaya, a savory fruit to enjoy on a hot summer day and a wonderful fruit that contains many beneficial health effects for us.
Papaya is a blessing for your taste buds and a blessing for your health. More than just a life saver in the summer, papaya contains many health beneficial benefits for our bodies. If you are still wondering about what kind of effects papaya gives you, today Illume-eMag will share with you the wonderful health benefits that papaya offers to you.
Protect skin from damage
In addition to keeping the body healthy, papaya can also help your skin to be more firm and bright. Overactivity of free radicals is believed to be responsible for many wrinkles, sagging, and skin damage over time. Vitamin C and Lycopene found in papaya help protect the skin and help visibly reduce these signs of aging. In one study, lycopene supplementation for 10-12 weeks reduced skin redness after sun exposure. In another case, older women with wrinkles who took vitamin C, a blend of Lycopene and other antioxidants for 14 weeks experienced a significant reduction in facial wrinkles, changes even measurable.
Improves Digestive Function
The enzyme papain in papaya can promote easier protein digestion. People in the tropics consider papaya to be an effective remedy for constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In one study, people who ate papaya supplements for 40 days experienced significant improvements in constipation and bloating. The seeds, leaves, and roots of the papaya fruit have also been shown to treat ulcers in humans and animals.
Anti-cancer properties
Research shows that the antioxidant Lycopene found in papaya fruit can reduce the risk of cancer and may be beneficial for people undergoing cancer treatment. In addition, papaya may have some unique effects that outshine other fruits. For example, of the 14 fruits and vegetables with known antioxidant properties, only papaya has activity against breast cancer cells. In a small study in older adults with inflammatory and precancerous stomachs, a fermented papaya preparation was able to reduce oxidation. However, more research is still needed before a formal recommendation can be made.
The effect of preventing inflammation
Chronic inflammation is at the root of many complex diseases, and unhealthy foods and an unbalanced lifestyle can promote inflammation. Research shows that antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables like papaya help reduce markers of inflammation significantly. For example, one study noted that men who consumed high amounts of fruits and vegetables high in carotenoids had significantly reduced levels of CRP, a marker of inflammation.
Improves Heart Health
Adding papaya to your daily diet can help boost your heart health. Studies also show that consuming fruits that are high in lycopene and vitamin C can help prevent heart disease. The antioxidant compounds found in papaya may protect the cardiovascular system and enhance the protective effects of HDL cholesterol. In one study, test subjects who took a fermented papaya extract supplement for 14 weeks experienced less inflammation and a higher ratio of “bad” LDL cholesterol to “good” HDL cholesterol than those who did not. do not use. This means a reduced risk of heart disease.
Papaya is easy to eat and full of nutrients
Papaya fruit is native to Central America and Southern Mexico but is now widely grown in many parts of the world. Papaya contains an enzyme called papain that helps break down protein chains in the muscle. Therefore, people have used papaya to tenderize meat for thousands of years. If the papaya is ripe, you can eat it raw. However, raw papaya should always be cooked before eating, especially for pregnant women, because green fruit often has a lot of latex, which can stimulate contractions.
Strong antioxidant effect
Free radical molecules, which are formed during the body’s metabolism, often promote oxidative stress that leads to many disease risks. Papaya is rich in antioxidants that help neutralize these free radicals. Studies have also shown that fermented papaya can also reduce oxidative stress in the elderly, people with prediabetes, mild hypothyroidism, and liver disease.
In addition, many researchers believe that too many free radicals in the brain are an important factor in Alzheimer’s disease. In one study, Alzheimer’s patients who were given fermented papaya extract for 6 months experienced a 40% reduction in oxidative damage to DNA, which is also linked to aging and cancer. The reduction in oxidative stress is due to the Lycopene content in papaya and its ability to remove excess iron that can produce free radicals.
Delicious taste and easy to prepare
Papaya often has a unique taste and aroma that is loved by many people. However, ripeness is the key to creating this characteristic flavor and aroma. Underripe or overripe papaya can taste different from fully ripe fruit. To be considered an optimal ripe papaya, they must have a yellow to red-orange skin color, possibly with some green spots. Papayas taste best when chilled, so you should keep them in the fridge whenever possible. After washing, you can cut in half lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, use a spoon to scrape off the skin like cantaloupe or melon.