Papaya is an amazing fruit that should definitely be included in your meal plan. Papaya tastes great and it’s perfect for people who are trying to lose weight.
The sweet, juicy orange flesh of the papaya is rich in vitamins and nutrients that give this tropical fruit wonderful healing powers and make it a perfect snack anytime. Read on and discover some of the best reasons to eat papaya.
1. Helps to reduce inflammation
Papaya contains chymopapin and papain, two wonderful protein-digesting enzymes, and it’s also high in Vitamin A, C and carotene. All these help protect against rheumatoid arthritis, as well as reduce inflammation. This is one of the best reasons to add papayas to your diet, don’t you think?
2. Helps to balance intestinal flora
Antibiotics can be very harmful for your body and they can destroy beneficial bacteria within your intestines. Papaya juice helps replenish good intestinal bacteria killed off by the antibiotics. So, during and after antibiotic treatment, try to consume a lot of papaya or drink papaya juice.
3. Reduces nausea
Papayas are a great source of enzymes that aid digestion and balance out your stomach acid. This fruit can also help reduce nausea, including morning sickness.
If you are looking for a natural way to reduce nausea, consider eating a few slices of papaya. Hopefully, this will help you.
4. Good for your eyes
As I mentioned above, papaya is high in Vitamin A and beta carotene, which are great for protecting your eyesight from degenerating and can even improve your vision. I like to drink papaya juice and I often add several slices of this fruit to my smoothies. You can also add it to your fruit salad and reap all the health benefits papaya has.
More: 9 Best Foods to Eat for Healthy Eyes
5. Helps to lower your stress levels
The study has found that Vitamin C helps regulate the flow of stress hormones, thus reduce stress. Papaya is an excellent source of Vitamin C and it’s a great snack for those hard, stressful days. I usually have some tasty papayas to relax after a long, hard day at work.
6. Helps to relieve menstrual cramps
Did you know that papaya leaves are a good cure for menstrual cramps? I was greatly surprised to know this benefit of papaya.
To get rid of that annoying pain, add one papaya leaf, tamarind and salt to a glass of water and boil it. Although this mixture is not delicious, after you drink it, you will feel much better.
7. Helps to fight cancer
One of papaya’s enzymes, papain, is being studied as a possible relief for cancer therapy side effects, including difficulty swallowing and mouth sores after chemotherapy. Eating papaya also improves the immune system and help fight cancer.
More: 7 Super Foods That Help Prevent Breast Cancer
8. Helps to prevent blood clots
If you take birth control pills or if you are a smoker, you have a higher risk of getting blood clots. Consuming papayas can help you prevent developing of blood clots, but I suggest you to quit smoking first. Nevertheless, papaya contains fibrin that aids in preventing blood clotting.
There are many health benefits of eating papayas. This fruit can also treat your sore heels: just rub your feet with mashed papaya and then rinse off with warm water. This works perfectly for me!
Do you like papayas? Do you know any other health benefits of this fruit? Share your thoughts with us please.
