Pawpaw (Carica Papaya) Fruit Benefits

Pawpaw is also known as papaya whose fruits’ flesh or pulp can be orange, yellow or pink. It is botanically known as Carica papaya. Pawpaw fruits are very nutritious and contain many phytonutrients and nutrients which are beneficial to the body for health and well-being. They are used as food, medicine and for cosmetic application.

Pawpaw fruits contain the following nutrients:

• High fiber content
• Vitamin B complex like folic acid, thiamin, riboflavin and pyridoxine
• Vitamin A and carotenes
• Vitamin C
• Minerals like potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium and manganese
• Rich in all essential amino acids

Pawpaw fruits are low in calories and contain papain, a proteolytic enzyme with many medicinal, cosmetic and healing properties. Pawpaw fruits have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of active components such as cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin, and chymopapain, another proteolytic enzyme.

Regular consumption of pawpaw fruits will do the following:

1. Promote and aid digestion
2. Prevent constipation
3. Help in building the immune system
4. Balance blood sugar levels
5. Lower blood cholesterol levels
6. Promote the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria
7. Prevent bloating and indigestion
8. Eliminate toxins from the body
9. Help in maintaining a healthy skin
10. Reduce inflammation

Pawpaw fruits are also used on the skin to:

• Whiten the face and skin
• Treat pimples, acne and blackheads
• Soften abscesses

Pawpaw fruits also contain arginine which boosts nitric acid production. This relaxes the muscles around blood vessels, dilating them and increasing blood flow and circulation.

Pawpaw fruits contain seeds which also have numerous health benefits. Read here about the uses of pawpaw seeds. Read here about pawpaw leaves uses.

Pawpaw fruits are wonderful healing foods. Unripe pawpaw fruits, seeds and latex contain a high amount of papain. The milky latex, raw leaves, seeds and skin contain toxic components which may cause allergic reactions and skin irritations when used in high amounts.

All the parts of pawpaw tree are useful! Pawpaws abound everywhere most of the time and are cheap.

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