Pawpaw or papaya is a tropical fruit that is high in nutrients, vitamins, enzymes and is also rich in fibre and antioxidants.
Papaya has been known to be very useful due to its nutritive components and medicinal ability. Apart from being consumed as a fruit, it is also used to make salads, smoothies and other dishes.
Here are some of the health benefits of pawpaw.
1. Aid in digestion
Pawpaws contain anti-ulcerative properties, fibre and the super enzyme called papain that breaks down the proteins in food consumed easing digestion. Reduced protein conversion leads to reduced digestion, constipation and other health-related problems. Pawpaw is also used as a meat tenderizer due to the papain contained in them.
2. Reduces the risk of getting cancer
According to research, papaya contains lycopene and beta carotenes which are antioxidants that reduce the risk of getting cancer. It can also be helpful to people taking cancer medication, especially in the first stages. This works by reducing the free radicals that contribute to cancer.
3. Helps in keeping the skin healthy
Pawpaw reduces body radicals that are responsible for skin sagging and wrinkling. Vitamin C, Vitamin E and lycopene also serve in preventing the skin from exposure to the sun. It is also helpful in healing wounds and preventing infections on burns.
4. Reduces cholesterol
The fibre, antioxidants and Vitamin C contained in pawpaw serve in protecting the blood vessels from the build up of cholesterol by breaking it down. This prevents one from having hypertension as well as a heart attack.