Papaya contains a wide variety of vitamins and minerals necessary for wellbeing.
Papaya contains a wide variety of vitamins and minerals necessary for wellbeing. Such as the B group vitamins, vitamin A and C and potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Papaya is an excellent source of vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for good growth and vision.
Papaya is an excellent source of vitamins A and C.
Papaya is rich in vitamin C, an important antioxidant vitamin.
Just one average slice (150g) provides more than twice your daily requirement for vitamin C, plus vitamin A (essential for good growth and vision), calcium, iron, carbohydrates and a wealth of protective antioxidant carotenoids.
Papaya is one of the best sources of protective carotenoids such as beta-cryptoxanthin and lycopene.
Papaya is a good source of natural antioxidants: vitamin C and carotenoids.
The gorgeous orange colour of papaya is due to natural pigments called carotenoids. Carotenoids are important antioxidants.
Low in sodium and kilojoules, papaya is also fat free.
Papaya has a lower glycemic index for longer lasting energy.
Papaya is high in fibre
Including papaya in your diet can add a valuable source of fibre. Fibre helps keep you regular.
Papaya contains papain, a natural enzyme that helps with the break down of proteins.
The soft texture of the fruit and its rich quantity of vitamin C makes papaya an ideal first food for babies.
Antibacterial/ antimalarial/ antiviral/ insecticidal effects of papaya
Antibacterial
Studies in laboratory test tubes (in vitro) have shown that papain/papaya have been found to inhibit the growth of a number of bacteria including:
Papain/ Papaya
Escherichia coli
Staphylococcus faecalis
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Enterbacter cloacae
In addition papain can inhibit:
Staphylococcus albus
And papaya inhibits
Bacillius cereus
Bacillus subtilis
Staphylococcus aureus
Proteus vulgaris
S flexneri
Salmonella typhi
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
However no clinical trials have been conducted to prove that papaya or papain can treat bacterial illness. Thus no claims can be made.
Antimalarial
One test tube study reports that extracts of papaya inhibited the growth of P.falciparum, the cause of malaria. No clinical trials in humans have been conducted hence no claims or recommendations can be made but the results indicate a possible low cost treatment for malaria
Antiviral
Another single study found that women who ate papaya at least once a week were less likely to have persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. In addition those women with high beta-cryptoxanthin and vitamin C intakes also had a lower risk of persistent HPV. HPV is associated with cervical cancer. Again more studies are needed before recommendations can be made however these findings are interesting.
Insecticidal
One study reports that papain found in the latex – a fluids which seeps from a damaged papaya tree - plays a crucial role in the defense mechanism against a number of plant eating insects through inhibiting growth of insect larvae.
Anticancer effects
Any claims regarding the effect papaya has on cancer can not be made due to current food law and a lack of strong evidence. There are some interesting case studies that have been reported nonetheless. A significant reduction in gall bladder cancer and a protective effect against colorectal cancer was seen in those who consume papaya.
Cardiovascular disease
One study in women found that those with a high lycopene intake had a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. For these women tomato provided the highest intake of lycopene in their diet. Although papaya was noted among other plant foods to contain lycopene in high amounts. Further studies are needed.
Drug interactions
Papaya has been found to interact with warfarin (a blood thinning or anticoagulant drug often given to heart patients) causing over anticoagulation. Although more research is needed to confirm, it would be safe practice to recommend those on warfarin to tell their physician they eat papaya.
Effect on fertility
Some studies and reports indicate that many traditional cultures use papaya as a form of birth control. For generations women of Sri Lanka have known that papaya and pregnancy don’t mix. Researchers of one report found that if Sri Lankan women want to become pregnant they avoid eating papaya. Researchers from the University of Sussex theorise that papain suppresses progesterone, a sex hormone that is needed to prepare the uterus for conception and maintain the pregnancy.
It appears abortions can also be induced by eating unripe papaya for three consecutive days.
Another review paper found that papaya has been studied for its fertility inhibiting effects in males through prevention of sperm production.
It is important to note that no clinical trials regarding fertility were found during this research project and these trials need to be conducted before any recommendations regarding papayas effect on fertility can be given.
Eye sight
Children in Indonesia with xerophthalmia (an eye disorder caused by a deficiency of vitamin A) were less likely to be frequent consumers of mango and papaya as toddlers despite the availability of these orange coloured fruits in Indonesia.
Iron absorptionLactating women in Zimbabwe were fed 650g of pureed papaya for 60 days and blood tests confirmed that vitamin A levels increased significantly following supplementation with papaya. In addition blood ferritin (iron storage) levels increased when compared to the control group who did not consume papaya. 650g of pureed papaya is equivalent to 2 ¾ cups which is a high daily intake but possibly a normal intake for women from Zimbabwe.
In another paper the absorption of iron from a rice meal with the addition of various fruits was studied in Indian women. Papaya markedly increased iron absorption as did vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
Wound healingAnecdotal evidence from a number of case reports and reviews state that in many developing nations such as Brazil, Jamaica and Gambia Africa papaya makes a cost effective treatment for healing skin wounds. Nurses report papaya reduces odour, promotes faster healing in chronic skin ulcers, removes dead skin cells and prevents infections in burns.
And so on... Papaya is proven as a supliment of many nessesary Vitamin and Minerals..
Reference:
http://onlypapaya.com.au/assets/files/Papaya_Nutrition_Claims_Review.pdf
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