The Versatile Papaya: Benefits, Uses, and Precautions
Introduction
Fruits are healthy, and papaya is no exception. A juicy tropical fruit, the humble papaya is a powerhouse of health, be it the seeds or the pulp. The papaya plant is also known as papaw or pawpaw. It belongs to the kingdom Plantae, clades Tracheophytes, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids, Order Brassicales, family Caricaceae, genus Carica, and species Carica papaya. The binomial name is Carica papaya. Wow!
Origins of papaya
It is said that the papaya is native to Southern Mexico, Central America, the Northern part of South America, and southern Florida. Gradually, they moved to Africa (brought by the Dutch and Portuguese settlers) and then to the Far East.[1]
India is the world’s largest producer of papaya and in 2022 it produced 53,41,000 tons of papayas! The states where papayas are mainly grown are Assam, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh, to name a few. Gujarat is the largest producer (no wonder such delicious papaya “sambhara” is served with the yummy “Phaphda”) 😊 .Mr. Sudhir Chadha of Uttaranchal, India, is known as the Papaya Man of India. He has developed innovations in the technology used to produce dwarf high-yielding varieties of papayas. He is an innovative farmer and horticulturist.
Power packed
The lactiferous cells present in the tissues of the papaya plant secrete latex, a white sticky substance that contains endopeptidase enzymes like papain, chymopain, glycyl endopeptidase, and caricain. Papaya also contains vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients like folate, vitamin A, magnesium, copper, pantothenic acid, vitamin B complex, carotenes(alpha and beta), lutein, zeaxanthin pigments, tocoferols, lycopene, Vitamin K, calcium and potassium.
Benefits of Papaya [2]
This power-packed papaya has many medicinal and health benefits. Let’s find out.
1) Eyesight: The Zeaxanthin in papaya flesh possesses antioxidant properties. This filters out UV rays and protects our retina and its cells from damage. It alleviates age-related macular degeneration and improves our normal vision.
2) Healthy bones: Vitamin K in papaya improves calcium absorption and alleviates loss of calcium via urine. This helps to maintain our bones and keeps them healthy and strong.
3) Healthy skin and hair: The Vitamin A content in papaya is important for the epithelial maturation of our body. In addition, Vitamin C content is required for the synthesis of collagen which protects our hair. This makes our hair and skin healthier.
The flesh of ripe papaya is known to lessen the lesions of ringworms. Unripe papaya is an abortifacient known to stimulate uterine contractions, often leading to miscarriages.
4) Digestion: The papain content of the papaya and the high content of water and fibre aids in preventing gastrointestinal issues like indigestion, strengthens the intestines and regulates the passage of softer stool motions. This helps in regulating our bowel movements.
5) Controls glucose levels: Papaya has a low sugar and high fibre content, which modifies the glycemic and lipid profiles of diabetics and lowers insulin secretion, thereby regulating blood sugar levels in the body.
6) Cardiovascular diseases: The fibre, antioxidants and potassium content in papaya alleviates the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
7) Anti-inflammatory: The vitamins and antioxidants present in papaya have anti-inflammatory properties. The chlorine aids in improving memory, developing muscles, maintaining cell membranes, nerve impulses, and fat absorption and generates sound sleep.
8) Anti-bacterial: The papain and chymopain content in papaya is good for healing wounds, dressing burn wounds and treating decubitus ulcers. The fruit can be mashed and directly applied to the wounds to heal them.
9) Asthma: The beta-carotene content in papaya helps to alleviate asthma symptoms.
10) Cancer: Consumption of papaya with a well-balanced healthy meal (fruits and vegetables) may lower the risk of cancers like colorectal and prostate cancer.
How to consume papaya
[3]Papaya is green in colour, when unripe, and orange-pinkish-reddish in colour, when ripe. Ripe papaya can be consumed as a fruit bowl or as a juice/smoothie. The papaya leaves are a meat tenderizer and can be used to wrap meat before cooking. The seeds of papaya can be dried and consumed or ground to a powder and used as a seasoning. The skin of papaya can be used for healing wounds. So, the entire fruit/plant is useful and no part needs to be discarded.
Caution
Unripe papaya is best avoided for consumption. People who are allergic to latex /papain, patients with kidney stones/hypoglycemia/irregular heartbeat, pregnant women, diabetics, and patients on blood thinning medications should all avoid consuming papaya.
It is recommended to consult your medical practitioner/dietician before commencing papaya consumption.
Ms Rupal Sonpal
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
