What are the beneficial properties of papaya? Why is this fruit famous? You will find answers to these and other questions in the article. Many scientists believe that the birthplace of the ancient cultural papaya plant is Southern Mexico. It was used as food by the Mayan and Aztec peoples. Europeans learned about this fruit only after the discovery of America.
Name
Few people know which papaya has beneficial properties. This fruit received the second name "melon tree" due to its pronounced taste resembling melon. The third name of papaya is “breadfruit”. After all, if you bake this fruit on fire, it begins to emit the smell of freshly baked bread.
Reputation
The beneficial properties of papaya are of interest to many. An unusual fruit received the laurels of the most effective burner of protein and fat. Cleavage is caused by high levels of papain. This enzyme is probably even ready to split the concrete masonry.
Papain is used in traditional medicine to treat diseases of the musculoskeletal system, gastrointestinal tract, internal and external damage to the dermis.
Papaya in cooking
The beneficial properties of papaya will be discussed later. Now let's find out how this fruit is used in cooking. In order to get to the fragrant pulp of the fruit, you need to clean the inedible dense skin and properly cut the fruit. A lot of seeds are hidden inside it, which are used as a spicy-sweet spice.
At the bazaar you can buy not only traditional ripe papaya. In cooking, barely ripe fruits are used. Their skin, like that of ripe papaya, is tender and juicy. But they have a neutral taste. Unripe papaya is perfect for any salads (meat, fish, vegetable). The exotic fruit of the perception of the dish will not interrupt with a special smell and diversifies the taste spectrum.
general characteristics
Papaya is a fruit whose beneficial properties everyone needs to know. Papaya is a woody plant whose parameters do not exceed 10 m in length. At the top of the tree are dissected leaves on elongated petioles, in which flowers are formed, and then fruits. Basically, the fetal parameters are: 10-30 cm in diameter and 20-50 cm in length. Fruits can differ significantly from each other and develop unevenly.
There are male and female papaya trees. The female species produces fruit, while the male species pollinates flowers. Papaya quickly ripens - the first crop is harvested in six months. Many farmed fruits are exported. Ripe fruit is mostly stored for one week.
Chemical composition
You do not know what papaya has useful properties? This fruit perfectly affects the human body. Its chemical composition is as follows (nutritional value of 100 g of raw fruit):
- proteins - 0.5 g;
- water - 88.06 g;
- fats - 0.3 g;
- food fibers - 1.7 g;
- carbohydrates - 10.8 g;
- ash - 0.39 g;
- value - 43 kcal.
Vitamin composition
And the vitamin composition of papaya (in mg per 100 g of raw fruit) is as follows:
- beta-carotene (A) 0.274;
- retinol (A) - 0.047;
- choline (B4) - 6.1;
- thiamine (B1) - 0.023;
- pyridoxine (B6) - 0.038;
- riboflavin (B2) - 0.027;
- pantothenic acid (B5) - 0.191;
- tocopherol (E) - 0.3;
- folic acid (B9) - 0.037;
- phylloquinone (K) - 0.0026;
- ascorbic acid (C) - 60.9;
- alpha-carotene (A) - 0.002;
- nicotinic acid (PP) - 0.357.
Nutrients
Many people like to view papaya photos. The beneficial properties of this fruit, like its appearance, are magnificent. It has the following balance of nutrients (in mg per 100 g of raw fruit):
Macronutrients:
- magnesium - 21;
- sodium - 8;
- potassium - 182;
- phosphorus - 10;
- calcium - 20.
Trace elements:
- zinc - 0.08;
- selenium - 0.0006;
- copper - 0.045;
- iron - 0.25;
- Manganese - 0.04.
Additives
The fruit we are considering has such additional substances (in g per 100 g of raw fruit):
- valine - 0.01;
- glucose - 4.09;
- arginine - 0.01;
- fructose - 3.73;
- di- and monosaccharides - 7.8;
- tyrosine - 0.005;
- lysine - 0.025;
- methionine - 0.002;
- leucine - 0.016;
- isoleucine - 0.008;
- monounsaturated fatty acids - 0,072;
- saturated fatty acids - 0.1;
- histidine - 0.005;
- fatty polyunsaturated acids - 0.058.
Healing qualities
So, what are the beneficial properties of papaya? A photo of the fruit shows everyone the natural beauty of the plant. They say that papaya is a real salvation for losing weight and sweet tooth. After all, it combines low calorie content and rich sweet taste. The best way to give up sugar is to replace it with fruit. If you kill your desire to eat a bar of porous milk chocolate, then expose yourself to a bad mood and breakdown. Try replacing harmful trans fats with a floristic food item. Morning oatmeal with papaya is much tastier and healthier than 100 g of chocolate.
The main useful substance of the fetus we are considering is papain. Papaya helps the human body in this way:
- Scientists have found that fruit helps improve the functioning of the organs of vision.
- Papain helps food to be fully, and not partially, absorbed. An enzyme is a special vehicle through which a person moves faster and receives more energy.
- Fruit juice plays the role of an antiseptic and antioxidant. In ancient times, people used papaya juice to eliminate the pain and swelling caused by a burn or insect bite. Previously, healers healed the exotic fruit juice to heal various ailments.
- Papaya is indicated for bronchial asthma, gastrointestinal ailments (as we discussed above), impaired liver function and abnormal blood sugar. Fruit perfectly cleanses the intestines, which makes a person more active and healthier.
- Papaya enzymes have a stunning effect on the skin. Fruit ingredients are added to cosmetics for an exfoliating effect. Such cosmetics are used by people with sensitive skin, it is designed to combat post-acne and acne.
- The fruit regulates the acidity of the body. If you have heartburn, consult your doctor: maybe he will allow you to replace the hated pills with a couple of pieces of papaya. The replacement of chemical substances with plant organisms is appreciated with gratitude.
- Good papaya for women. The useful properties of her ladies are praised incessantly. The fruit is recommended for nursing and pregnant women (if mom is not allergic to the product). Papaya should be administered dosed. You don’t need to worry about the health of the baby. After all, the child will receive a huge number of useful substances. When the baby is already getting lure, make mashed papaya and give the child in small quantities. First, it is better to give vegetables, and then gradually introduce fruits. After all, after sweet berries and fruits, the baby can refuse tasteless vegetables.
- Scientists say that papaya enzymes have a beneficial effect on the condition of joints and bones.
- Fruit juice can expel worms from the body. It will be ineffective in the presence of infection. Self-medication is not necessary. Seek help from a doctor.
- Specific medicines are made from papaya that can cure eczema. In ancient times, people dried the skin of a fruit and applied it to damaged areas. Today, such methods are not in demand. If you have such a problem, go through the examination and coordinate with the doctor the therapeutic course, further nutrition. If the doctor does not detect a threat to the current state, feel free to introduce papaya into your diet.
In cosmetology
The beneficial properties and contraindications of papaya everyone should learn by heart. How to use this fruit in cosmetics? To create it, pulp, extract, papaya oil are used . The papain enzyme, which is isolated from the fruits of the fruit we are considering, is especially valued. Papaya dermis is useful in this way:
- Increases skin tone.
- Fruit acids are great for skin damage, pigmentation, post-acne and acne.
- Normalizes the skin's water balance, maintains a constant level of hydration.
- Gently cleanses of impurities (there is no risk of clogging pores).
- Increases the elasticity of the dermis.
- Whitens the skin, creates a radiant glow.
- Removes toxins, poisons.
- Promotes rejuvenation. Cream with papaya will help to delay the appearance of wrinkles for a long time.
- Removes and corrects freckles.
- Normalizes the activity of the sebaceous glands. Eating papaya for food will provide a matte smooth face without flaws and rashes.
- Beneficial effect not only on the skin, but also on the hair. Papaya oil and juice nourish the hair, restore softness, shine, health, restore the structure.
With the help of papaya, you can not only grow beautiful hair, but also get rid of them. Fruit enzymes are part of various tools for depilation (foams, creams, gels, serums). The substance provides several positive effects:
- additional hydration of the skin;
- removal of unwanted vegetation;
- obstacle to ingrown hairs;
- the extreme distance from the moment of the appearance of new hairs (the enzyme dulls the productivity of the hair follicle).
Contraindications
So, you already know what papaya fruit is. Contraindications and useful properties, many people want to study it. It is known that this fruit should not be consumed by those who have an individual intolerance to the product and the components that are in its composition. This is the only contraindication.
Unripe, green fruits are forbidden. They contain concentrated juice, which contains many toxic substances. Among them is the alkaloid carpain (latex juice). When the juice gets inside, it provokes intoxication, a severe allergic reaction, disruptions in the digestive tract, irritation of the skin.
To protect your body, you need to be responsible for choosing an exotic fruit.
Nuances
In the article, everyone can see how good papaya photos are. Contraindications and beneficial properties of this fruit has, in addition to those that have been listed. Melon tree is cultivated today in many countries. Papaya is eaten fresh, used in the preparation of sauces and salads, stewed.
In the leaves of the tree there is karpain, which is detrimental to worms, but can cause poisoning due to the high cumulation of the substance. If you regularly use papaya, you can prevent the development of cancer.
The fruit contains chymopanin and panin - substances that contribute to tissue repair, eliminate inflammation. They help get rid of acne and psoriasis.
Papaya contains milky juice, which can cause allergies in people who cannot tolerate this product. Despite this, milk juice breaks down proteins, therefore, protects against thrombosis.
In folk medicine, fruit is often used as a contraceptive. In pregnant women, it can provoke a miscarriage. No need to consume papaya for impaired reproductive function. By the way, this fetus perfectly affects the potency in men. The benefits of papaya as an aphrodisiac are also known.
The beneficial properties of dried papaya are appreciated by pharmacists. They use it as medicines. Representatives of alternative medicine say that it cleanses the intestines, removes toxins from the body and prevents its aging.
How to eat papaya?
Today in the world there is a huge number of recipes for dishes that include papaya. It is most often eaten raw. But in salads, in combination with different varieties of cheeses, this fruit is also tasty.
Papaya is used for cooking meat dishes, it is added to the side dishes with vegetables. Fruit seeds are used as seasoning, as they taste like black pepper (as we discussed above).
Many people like papaya and banana ice mats that are sold on Brazilian and Indian beaches.