Papaya (Carica papaya) is one of the tropical species from the Americas, in particular, southern Mexico and Central America. A brief history of its development is below:
Papaya was, at first, found by the native people in Mesoamerica, like the Maya and Aztecs, who then kept using it as food and a traditional medicine.
The word papaya probably came from the native Arawak language which was used among the Caribbean people.
In the aftermath of European expeditions during the 15th and 16th centuries, papaya soon began to be exported to various parts of the world.
During the 16th century in Southeast Asia, the Spanish and Portuguese explorers took papaya to the Philippines, India, et al regions in the vicinity.
Papaya has also reached Africa and several other tropics from the Southeast Asia region.
Papaya is said to be a short-lived plant even in places where it is widely grown, due to its nutrient-rich fruit, which quickly keeps pace with the inflation.
Turing decades into millennia, the plant is cultivated in almost all the tropical countries, including Indonesia and some states like Brazil, Mexico, and India, which have the highest production of this fruit.
In several folks, the plant is known as many names and the kind plant is rated as the miracle plant in cultures due to the health benefits of its fruit and consumption.
In countries like India, for instance, the leaves and seeds of papaya are also used in traditional medicine.
Papaya, naturally rich in antioxidants and nutrients as well, is a tropical fruit with a number of related health benefits. Under mentioned are some of these advantages together with the nutrients it contains:
Health Benefits
a. Boosts Digestive Health
- Papaya has the enzyme papain which helps your body with the breaking of the protein in the food, hence, it improves digestion and so on it prevents constipation. Fiber is another component that helps the stomach to act in the right way.
b. Supports Immune System
Papaya is rich in vitamin-C, which boosts our immunity and protects the body from infections and diseases.
c. Promotes Skin Health**
Papaya contains high amounts of the vitamin A and antioxidants that help produce healthy skin. It further reduces acne and wrinkles.
d. Improves Heart Health
Papaya also contains antioxidants such as lycopene, which may help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and improve heart health.
e. Aids in Weight Management
Papaya has fewer calories and more fibre content, making you feel fuller for a long time which makes it good for weight management.
f. Reduces Inflammation
Papaya acts as an anti-inflammatory in the body due to its vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants which is effective for arthritis.
g. Supports Vision Health
→ Beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin that provide for good eyes and helps with eye-related conditions.
Nutritional value (100 grams of ripe Papaya)
Calories:** 43 kcal
Carbohydrates:** 11 g
Dietary Fiber:** 1.7 g
Protein:** 0.5 g
Fat:** 0.1 g
Vitamin C:** 60.9 mg (101% DV)
Vitamin A:** 950 IU (19% Daily Value
Folate (Vitamin B9): 37 mcg (9% of the DV)
Potassium:** 182 mg (DV 5%)
10 Magnesium:** 10 mg (2% DV)
Lycopene:** Lots of it, and powerful antioxidant inside.
Papaya is a tasty and very healthy food to include in your diet. It can improve one's general health if taken on a regular basis.
Langon Papaya Avocado Banana Red onions Cucumber Dragon fuit Guava watermelon Sapodilla