Why include papaya in your diet?

Whether it’s green, red or yellow papaya, the benefits of including papaya in your daily diet is amazing.

Who wouldn’t love the sweet, succulent and healthy papaya? Its yellow-orange color makes it more tempting to taste and indulge on the health nutrients it has.

Scientifically known as “Carica papaya”, this fruit has long been consumed as fruit, beauty product ingredients and for medicinal purposes. Too, this was also previously called as “the fruit of angels” by Christopher Columbus. Both ripe and unripe papayas contain health benefits; thus, this fruit is one of the world’s healthiest foods.

Here are a few reasons why you should include papaya in your regular diet:

• Papayas are rich in Vitamin C. Just like citrus fruits, papayas is packed with rich Vitamin C, meeting the 144% of the recommended daily allowance of the mentioned Vitamin. That makes papaya a superfood which fight infections and helps us to fight free radicals due to its antioxidant properties.
• Papayas are rich in folate. It can supply the needed 13% daily needed allowance daily.
• Papayas are rich in fiber and potassium. These two are known to be effective in combating high blood pressure. Potassium is also known to be effective in controlling heart rate and reduces the risk of stroke.
• Papayas contain Vitamin B complex such as folate, thiamin, riboflavin, and pyridoxine. All these are essential vitamins needed by the body.
• Papayas also contain flavonoids such as beta-carotene which can protect our body from the development of various cancers, especially mouth and lung cancers. Other flavonoids that can be found on papayas are zeaxanthhin, cryptoxanthin, and lutein – all known to be potent compounds to fight free radicals.
• Papayas contain papain, an enzyme which aids in digesting protein. This enzyme is also extracted from unripe papaya to make digestive enzyme dietary supplements.
• Papayas are also known to be a natural remedy. Yes, you hear it right! Papayas can be used to heal various ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis, heart diseases, and atherosclerosis. It also protects our immune system as well as our digestive system.
• Papayas are known to be used as beauty regimen. Nowadays, papayas are commercially used as major ingredients in various beauty products such as soaps, lotion, facial masks and more. Other beauty bloggers and specialists are also sharing that applying mashed ripe papayas on the skin can make it more vibrant, softer and healthier.

Just like other healthy foods out there, it’s always best to get more informed and try them so we can enjoy their health benefits.

– G. Briones