Papaya: general characteristics
Native to tropical areas of Central America, the papaya is a plant of which we have the first evidence that the ancient civilization of the Aztecs considered a fruit almost divine, from the digestive miraculous and effective. The Papaya, whose botanical name is Carica papaya, does not belong to the family of melons despite the similarity, but to that of Caricaceae.
In the world papaya is called by different names: for example, in New Zealand and Australia is is known as "Pawpaw", while in Brazil is called "Mamao" and in Cuba "fruta bomba". The plant is cultivated in tropical countries but also in subtropical and is now available in supermarkets. It is estimated that around the world if they grow 50 different varieties.
The papaya looks like a small tree recently branched and with a tall up to 5-10 m. The fruits have an oblong shape, in fact, look like right in the melon, can be green, yellow, orange or pink and can weigh up to 9 kg. The plant was used for centuries by indigenous Australians for its beneficial effects on the organism, and was considered a key food for the high nutrients. We see the following properties, benefits, nutritional value, calories, uses, contraindications and side effects of the papaya.
Papaya: properties and benefits
Papaya is a fruit refreshing and low in calories and contains a very important active ingredient called papain. It is papain contained in the fruit stimulate digestion: This feature makes it ideal to be consumed especially after a big meal. The papaya also has antioxidant properties since it is very rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, and thus allows to reduce the risk of oxidative damage to the tissues. Furthermore, it is a powerful ally against free radicals. Papain also has anthelmintic properties and this is traditionally used against intestinal parasites.
The intake of papaya also facilitates the elimination of toxins from the body, so it is recommended in low-calorie diets. It 'also very useful in strengthening the immune system, restoring the acid-base balance.
Noteworthy are the benefits of papaya on the organism. As well as having beneficial effects on digestion thanks to the papain contained in the fruit, the papaya also protects the heart: the fruit is in fact an excellent source of antioxidant compounds like vitamins, cryptoxanthin, carotenoids, beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, all useful compounds to prevent oxidation of cholesterol and protect the body against heart disease and arteriosclerosis. Papain also is beneficial in the elimination of intestinal worms: for this purpose we find them always in Chinese folk medicine, which for centuries used for vermifuge action.
Papaya offers significant benefits also to the skin: in fact, thanks to the bactericidal properties of the fruit is ideal to heal pimples that other skin problems. The industry of the cosmetic uses of papaya substances to achieve excellent creams and effective face masks to reduce skin blemishes.
With papaya you can also relieve pain in tonsils: just use the juice and gargle to reduce inflammation or pus that often plagues during tonsillitis. Papaya is also effective for eye health: the antioxidants contained in the plant protect the eyes from various diseases, especially vitamin A protects the eyes from macular degeneration, a condition that usually occurs in old age.
The papaya also reduces nausea in pregnancy: just consume a few slices a day to eliminate morning sickness. Finally, among the recognized benefits papaya is also to relieve stress, according to some animal studies conducted at the University of Alabama, it seems to take at least 200 mg per day of vitamin C can help to significantly reduce levels of stress. The certainty of this hypothesis has not yet been given, however, as you await the experiments on humans.
Papaya: nutritional values and calories
Quantity per 100 grams:
- 43 calories
- 0.3 g fat (0.1 g saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids 0.1 g, Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g)
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 8 mg
- Potassium 182 mg
- Carbohydrates 11 g (1.7 g Dietary Fiber, Sugar 8 g)
- Protein 0.5 g
- Vitamin A 950 IU
- Vitamin C 60.9 mg
- Calcium 20 mg
- Iron 0.3 mg
- Magnesium 21 mg
Papaya: all uses
Available in supermarkets all year round and comes in several varieties, the best to consume papaya is the one with the yellow skin and slightly soft to the touch. Its uses in fact also vary depending on the consistency of the pulp and of hardness: for example, the green fruit or too hard are used for cooking or to enrich a salad. To mature the still green papaya is advisable to put it in an envelope along with other fruits such as pears, bananas or apples, for a few days. If put in the fridge instead goes consumed within a few days.
Papaya is excellent consumed in the form of salad and smoothie but it's good enough alone, peeled and sliced like a melon and cut lengthwise, cleaned of seeds and eaten in slices. It 'also good as decoration on ice creams or desserts, served in the form of small balls to be obtained with a corer to decorate bowls or pasta.
Papaya is also an excellent adjuvant to fight pimples, cracked heels and is also used as a hair mask. Here are some examples: to remove facial blemishes and fight pimples just mash the pulp of unripe papaya and apply it on your face for 25 minutes. The same procedure is also valid for cracked heels: just apply on the affected area and keep the pulp crushed for about half an hour. Early skin scarring of the skin and the pain will disappear. To combat the signs of aging just rub the peel on your face, wait 5 minutes and rinse with cold water. Thanks to the properties of the fruit, the skin will be more elastic. Also good as a nourishing hair mask, mixed with banana, honey, coconut oil and yogurt, papaya helps to make them make it soft and shiny.
Papaya: contraindications and side effects
Despite its many benefits and its indisputable properties, the papaya can have side effects if used daily by man. In fact, according to some scientific studies conducted on animals, the excessive use of papaya seeds may cause male infertility, which is not to be considered irreversible. Recent studies on rabbits, it was shown that, once transmitted intake, fertility returned after just 45 days.
Particular attention to the excessive consumption of papaya must also have pregnant women: to create some problems is the unripe papaya contains a lot papein, a substance that can cause uterine contractions, but it is not recommended during breast-feeding and in the presence of gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, the papaya also contains latex and can cause particular reactions in people allergic to this substance. Nothing remains that indicates the consumption of fresh and ripe fruit because it is rich in vitamins and important trace elements for the body's health.
