On domestic fruit counters you can often find a huge variety of exotic fruits. Papaya is one of the tropical representatives, which, unfortunately, is not in great demand in our country. The main reason is that many do not even realize what a huge benefit papaya has for the body. And harm is also there. About all this - later in the article.
Fruit Description
Papaya is a palm-shaped tree with a thin trunk without branches, the height of which can reach 10 meters. Papaya fruit is an oval and elongated fruit, the mass of which can vary from 400 to 800 grams. The color of the fetus during ripening changes color: from dark green to bright yellow. Papaya pulp, which tastes like melon, can be eaten. Juicy flesh has a pronounced orange color, inside it is a cavity with seeds. One papaya can contain more than 700 seeds of black color, which have a spicy spicy taste.
The papaya tree is also called melon, or breadfruit. The plant has been widely used in Europe since the colonization of Central and South America. Southern Mexico is considered his homeland. But due to the fact that the plant is not particularly picky and has a lot of useful properties, the fruit has taken root in many warm countries of the world. Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines - and these are far from all the countries whose population is grown and daily eat South American delicacies.
The composition of the fetus
The composition of the fruit includes such beneficial minerals as zinc, iron, phosphorus, calcium, as well as useful vitamins A, B (1, 5, 9), D. The yellow color of the ripe fruit indicates the presence of a large amount of carotene in the fruit.
It is important to know that an unripe fruit contains a poisonous element - latex milky juice with a thick and viscous consistency. However, gradually in the process of maturation, latex changes its composition, color and becomes safe for humans.
Calorie Papaya
Papaya fruit can be safely eaten even by people who follow the figure. After all, the fruit has a low calorie content. Depending on the fruit variety, 100 grams of papaya may contain approximately 45-70 calories.
Where is papaya used?
Papaya is widely used in cooking, but it is not only consumed fresh. Thanks to the long history of the existence of the fetus, people have learned to preserve, bake, stew, and also use it as a marinade for meat.
In folk medicine, papaya has also found widespread use. Due to its beneficial properties, the fetus is used to treat a large number of diseases.
Also, papaya fruits are widely used in cosmetology and dietetics, and the stems and bark of the tree are used to produce the rope.
The benefits of papaya for the body
Speaking about the benefits of papaya, first of all, it is worth noting that it contains papain. This natural enzyme, which, when ingested, has a powerful proteolytic effect, that is, contribute to the digestion of protein foods.
Scientific studies have shown that the constant use of papaya contributes to:
- Reduce the risk of bowel cancer. Therefore, this fruit is especially useful for people who are at risk.
- Fast wound healing.
- Removal of harmful toxic substances from the body. Due to this property, the fetus is widely used in nutrition.
- Long sex life in men. If men will use 150-200 grams of this treat every day, then they will significantly extend their sexual activity.
- Strengthen immunity. The fruit of the fruit is a wonderful anti-inflammatory medicine that helps strengthen the immune system and protects the human body during colds.
- Improving the functioning of the organs of vision. Thanks to its beneficial elements, the papaya fruit slows down the aging process of the retina and gives them a second life.
- Strengthen the cardiovascular system. The natural enzyme karpain, which is rich in tropical fruit, strengthens the state of the walls of the heart vessels.
- Reducing pain in osteoporosis and arthritis.
Papaya Harm
Not only papaya benefits. And there may be harm to health if there are certain contraindications:
- Do not get carried away with fruit for people who are prone to allergic diseases;
- In no case should you use an unripe fruit as it contains poisonous milky juice - latex.
The benefits and harms of papaya for women
The storehouse of useful minerals and vitamins that this fruit contains are a real find for the female body, especially during pregnancy. This tropical fruit is rich in folic acid, the presence of which in the body of a woman in the first trimester of pregnancy is mandatory. After all, it is thanks to folic acid that the neural tube of the fetus is formed. And her lack in the female body during pregnancy can cause a number of birth defects.
Papaya will save future mothers from toxicosis. Thanks to papain, the fruit improves bowel function and prevents morning sickness.
Another reason to include papaya in the diet of a pregnant woman is the ability of the fetus to remove toxic substances and cleanse the body. Tropical delicacy also has a laxative effect, and, as you know, many women in an interesting position suffer from constipation.
Tropical fruit is also able to prevent the formation of stretch marks on the skin of expectant mothers. After all, it is rich in elements that enrich the skin with natural fats, which gives the skin additional elasticity.
It is worth taking a closer look at the papaya and the fair sex, who have problems with the menstrual cycle. If you eat several pieces of fruit daily a few days before your period, you can relieve pain during menstruation.
But it is worth remembering that an unripe fruit is dangerous for the body. A pregnant woman who has consumed even a few small pieces of unripe papaya may experience bleeding and a miscarriage.
Papaya: benefits and harms to the intestines
The enzyme papain promotes the digestion of protein foods and prevents intestinal cancer, but this is not all its healing properties. Eating fruit will help people with ulcers or gastritis. Natural papaya enzymes, the benefits and harms of which we are considering, contribute to the improvement of the gastrointestinal tract.
Tropical fruit helps prevent diabetes, speeds up protein processing, improves intestinal motility, and relieves stool problems.
The use of papaya in cosmetology
Tropical fruit has long won the love of cosmetologists. Many countries produce cosmetics, which include papaya. After all, lotions and scrubs with the content of this fruit treat acne, help get rid of age spots and freckles.
In beauty salons, papaya masks are used to slow down skin aging, as well as to give it a healthy color and elasticity. It is known that the enzymes that make up the fetus greatly reduce hair growth. It is for this reason that it is part of most gels and creams for depilation.
Dried fruits
The benefits and harms of dried papaya to the body have also been studied in some detail. If you really want something sweet, then replace the unhealthy sweets and cakes with dried fruits. Lead the calorie content of dried fruits is only 90-110 calories per 100 grams of product.
Dried papaya retains all its beneficial substances and minerals. The daily use of candied fruits improves mood, increases the body's resistance to stress and prevents depression.
Also, daily use of dried fruits will replenish the body with the necessary carbohydrates that are needed to generate energy. Dried papaya will be an excellent substitute for fresh, because only in this way you can provide yourself with this fruit for the winter season.
Using Papaya Seeds
Few people know, but the healing properties of papaya seeds have become a proven scientific fact. Papaya seeds, the benefit, harm and use of which we are considering, have a specific taste and not everyone will like it. They are reminiscent of a mixture of black pepper and mustard.
But they are widely used for medicinal purposes - to combat worms. Karpain, which is found in the seeds of the fetus, helps to eliminate parasites from the body.
In folk medicine, papaya seeds are widely used to treat cirrhosis. To do this, you just need to grind several seeds and combine with a tablespoon of lemon juice. If you take this tool twice a day for 3-4 weeks, then the liver condition will improve significantly.
Also, crushed papaya seeds are used for poisoning, as they help to eliminate harmful toxins from the body and improve digestion.
If consumed daily in the morning on an empty stomach with a teaspoon of dried seeds, you can significantly improve the condition of the body and skin. And the crushed version of dry seeds will be an excellent substitute for black pepper in cooking, because even after heat treatment all the useful properties will be preserved.
But it is worth remembering the contraindications in the use of papaya seeds:
- papaya seeds should not be used to treat poisoning in children under 14 years of age;
- it is worth refusing their use to people taking blood thinners;
- with cirrhosis of the liver, papaya seeds can be consumed only after consulting a doctor, since the papain containing them may not be combined with the prescribed medications;
- papaya seeds can cause a decrease in male fertility.
You can store fresh papaya seeds in the refrigerator in a closed container. Before use, they should be pre-washed under cold water.
Despite all the beneficial properties of papaya, do not forget that the juice of an unripe fruit can be life threatening. In order not to put your life at risk, you must be able to choose a ripened fruit, which is determined by color. Firstly, the ripe fruit should be a bright yellow color, without green spots. Secondly, ripe fruit juice becomes transparent and watery in consistency.
In Asian countries, there is a legend that says that the juice of an unripe fruit was used to make a potion. The poison was mixed in the food of enemies and enemies.
Christopher Columbus, who discovered fruit for Europe, called it "the fruit of the angels." In our country, papaya only in the last decade has become popular and has found its buyer.