Though most nutrition blogs love to rave about the pineapples and mangoes, papaya is an incredibly underrated tropical fruit that you should not overlook when it comes to nutritional value and health benefits. Here are 8 reasons why you should be indulging in this magic fruit instead of your typical prêt choices:
SURPRISINGLY TASTY AND HIGH IN NUTRIENTS
Papayas are an excellent source of vitamin C, and one single medium fruit provides 224 percent of recommended daily intake ( Medical News Today, 2017). Additionally, they are a great source of folate (an essential vitamin the body does not produce naturally but helps in the creation of DNA, RNA and amino acids), vitamin A, magnesium, copper and pantothenic acid. They also contain B vitamins, alpha and beta-carotene, lutein, vitamin E, calcium, potassium, vitamin K and lycopene, a powerful antioxidant commonly associated with tomatoes (Medical News Today, 2017).
HELP REDUCE INFLAMMATION
The essential and versatile nutrient, choline, found in papayas, aids our bodies in sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory. Choline aids the body in maintaining the structure of cellular membranes, facilitates the transmission of nerve impulses and assists in the absorption of fat and the reduction in inflammation. The perfect fruit to pair with you course of Endermologie® !
AGE-DEFYING PROPERTIES
Zeaxanthin, another antioxidant found in this wonder fruit, filters out harmful blue light rays. Studies have shown that it is likely to play a protective role in eye health, and could ward off macular degeneration (a medical condition which may result in blurred or no vision in the centre of the visual field).
ASTHMA AND CANCER PREVENTION
Consuming the antioxidant beta-carotene, found in papayas, may reduce cancer risk. Among younger men, diets rich in beta-carotene may play a protective role against prostate cancer, according to a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Biomarkers. This antioxidant has also shown to lower asthma in people who consume more of it on a regular basis.
DIABETES
Studies have shown that people with type 1 diabetes who consume high-fibre diets have lower blood glucose levels, and people with type 2 diabetes may have improved blood sugar, lipid, and insulin levels (Healthline, 2018). One small papaya provides about 3 grams of fibre, which is equivalent to just 17 grams of carbohydrates.
DIGESTION
The papain enzyme present in papayas can make protein easier to digest. In fact, people in the tropics use papaya as a natural remedy for constipation and other symptoms of irritable bowel movement (IBS). In one study, those who consumed papaya for 40 days had a significant improvement in constipation and bloating!
HEART DISEASE
Studies have shown that fruits high in lycopene and vitamin C may help to prevent heart disease, therefore supplementing your food with a dose of papaya may boost your heart health. Additionally, antioxidants present in papaya could help protect your heart and enhance the protective effects of “good” HDL cholesterol (Healthline, 2018).
HAIR HEALTH
Papayas contain vitamin A, a nutrient required for sebum production, keeping hair hydrated and protected. Vitamin A is also essential for the growth of all bodily tissues, including skin and hair. Furthermore, vitamin C, also present in the fruit will help build and maintain the production of collagen, which provides structure to the skin. Doubling the dose of collagen with your endermologie® treatments, sign us up!
A tropical fruit often overlooked in favour for the ones better known, papaya is rich in valuable nutrients and has a fresh and delicious taste! With many powerful antioxidants and nutrients, it may reduce your risk of many diseases, particularly ones that come with age, such as heart disease and cancer. It may also defend you against visible signs of ageing, giving you an extra boost and helping your skin to remain smooth and youthful. Add this wonder fruit to your diet today and we promise you won’t regret it!.