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Healthy Diet Plans >>
Therapeutic Value of Different Foods >>
Fruits >>
Papaya |
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PapayaPapayas are readily available in early summer and fall during their seasonal peak; however papaya tree produces its fruits year round.
It has a distinctly spherical or pear shape and can be as long as 20 inches (on an average a commonly available papaya weighs about 1 pound and is about 7 inches long). The flesh of papaya is deep orange in color and in the inner cavity of the fruit has round black seeds encased in a gelatinous-like substance. Papaya contains an enzyme called papain that is an enzyme that helps digest proteins in the body.
This enzyme is often extracted to be used as an ingredient in digestive enzyme supplements and chewing gums.
Health and papayaNot only papaya tastes great but it also provides with a variety of nutrients which include vitamin C, carotenes, flavonoids, B-complex vitamins, folate, pantothenic acid, potassium, magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin A and dietary fiber.
- Papaya is very useful in preventing diabetic heart disease and atherosclerosis. They are rich in three very powerful antioxidants vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin A.
These antioxidants helps prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol which if not taken care of can stick to and build up in blood vessel walls forming dangerous plaques leading to atherosclerosis, heart attacks or strokes. These antioxidants along with fiber from papaya help to lower high cholesterol levels in the body. Fiber also improves the digestive health and it binds to cancer-causing toxins in the colon and keeping them at bay from the healthy colon cells. - Folic acid in papaya is necessary for lowering levels of the cardiovascular risk factor, homocysteine. Potassium which helps to maintain blood pressure and the vitamin C, carotenoids and flavonoids act as antioxidants and have cardio protective and anti-cancer effects.
- Free radicals may cause an injury to the eye lenses and may lead to cataract or damage the blood supply to the eye causing macular degeneration. To protect the eyesight researches suggest that three or more servings of fruits per day may help lower the risk of age related macular degeneration, which is the primary cause of vision loss in older people by 36% than the other counterpart who consumed less than 1.5 servings of fruits per day.
- Papain from papaya has anti inflammatory effects and has been shown to help lower inflammation and to improve healing from burns. It also has a protective effect against inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and asthma. Vitamin C along with beta carotene and vitamin A plays an important role for immune system and prevent recurrent infections, colds and flu.
- Papaya consumption also promotes lung health and prevents prostate cancer.
- Chitinases are the substances present in papayas that are associated with the latex-fruit allergy syndrome.
Thus a person with latex allergy should wisely consume papaya.
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