Papaya: nutritional and health benefits

Posted on April 14, 2014 by john in Benefits of fruit

Papaya is a tropical fruit with more medicinal properties, which, together with its delicious flavor, make this very popular and appreciated. The natives of Costa Rica and Mexico known as the fruit of the tree of good health.

Native to the forests of Mexico, Central America and northern South America, the papaya plant is cultivated today in most countries in the tropics of the world. It is a fast growing tree grass, short-lived, simple or sometimes branched stem, 2-10 m tall, with straight, cylindrical, smooth, spongy - fibrous trunk loose, juicy, hollow, gray or grayish brown, 10-30 cm in diameter and hardened by the presence of large, prominent scars caused by falling leaves and inflorescences.

The papaya ( also called papaya or papaya or melon fruit tree or pump (although the latter is also intended to name another fruit of small size, the Melicoccus bijugatus ) is the fruit of the papaya ( Carica papaya), species of the family Caricaceae. it is also known by other names papaya : sapodilla, mamao, naimi, capaídso, nampucha, heck and packets.

The fruits have a smooth texture and an oblong shape, and may be green, yellow, orange or pink. Can weigh up to 9 kg, in most cases do not usually weigh more than 500 or 600 g, especially in a growing variety of dwarf plants, and usually very productive for export, by its longer duration after harvesting and before consumption.

The size of the fruit decreases as a function of plant age. Berry ovoid - oblong, pyriform or nearly cylindrical, large, fleshy, juicy, longitudinally grooved on top, yellowish green, yellow or orange when ripe, of a cell, or reddish orange inside with numerous parietal seeds and from 10 to 25 cm or more in length and 7-15 cm in diameter or larger. The seeds are black, round or ovoid and enclosed in a transparent aryl, subacid ; cotyledons are ovoid -oblong, flattened and white.

Papaya shrubs have three different kinds of feet; with female flowers, others with hermaphrodite flowers and others with male flowers.

It is one of the most important and most consumed fruits. Highly appreciated for its nutritional properties and delicate flavor. Ideal for regimes to contain vitamins B1, B2 and B3 or Niacin, all of the B complex, which regulate the nervous system and the digestive system ; fortify the heart muscle ; protect the skin and hair and are essential for growth. It also contains vitamins A and C, is rich in minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, sulfur, silicon, sodium and potassium.

On the other hand, has low caloric value, about 53 calories per 100 grams of fruit. The fiber content improves digestion. It has astringent properties. Also, the shell contains a substance (as juice) that helps eliminate the cough, a substance that has proved more effective than drugs in some studies. In addition to the above properties has the following :

- Combat constipation as it acts as a mild laxative.

- Streamline external and internal scarring (eg gastric ulcers )

- Papaya facilitates tan because it contains lots of Retinina ( facilitates the action of melanin )

- Eliminates intestinal parasites. It also helps eliminate the amoebae that are responsible for many chronic diarrhea as their fresh seeds are rich in a nutrient called Carpasemina.

- Strengthens immunity due to its high content of Vitamin C.

- Papaya aids digestion and relieves pain and inflammation of the stomach because it contains an enzyme called papain. Papain is an enzyme similar to human pepsin unfolded proteins and promotes digestive process. That’s why people feel they help digest meat and heavy meals.

- Papain also has analgesic properties or is pain relievers.

- Very useful in case of gastroenteritis, colitis and irritable colon due to its soothing and antiseptic effect on the intestines.

- Papaya is a great friend of our skin as it helps to cleanse the inside. The juice can remove skin blemishes and improve eczema.

- The papaya fruit is ideal if you want to do some diet because it is low in calories and rich in nutrients.

Effect of body - alkalizing (ideal for people with acidosis)

For the very special flavor that has papaya makes it very appreciated when preparing desserts, juices, yogurts, fruit salads, ice cream, and other delicious products.