15 Science-Backed Health and Skin Benefits of Papayas

Is there really one fruit that can give you fresh glowing skin, protective hot, and give you a flat tummy? You will believe there is either in few we will talking about none other than papaya or the fruit of the angels, as is coined by Christopher Columbus. Papaya has a rich history. It has been used for medicinal purposes in your daily life. Nowadays the benefits of papaya are being backed by science. And, here, you’ll learn some amazing ways on how papayas improve the quality of life.

1. Reduces Fatigue 

One cup of papaya cubes contains 32% of your recommended daily dose of riboflavin or vitamin B-2. Vitamin B-2 breaks down the micronutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and fat in your body and converts them into energy. Other B vitamins like thiamine, niacin, and folate present in papaya boost metabolic activities. Consequently, you won’t feel tired all the time. 

2. Prevents Night Blindness

Papayas can help better your eye health which could prevent night blindness. This is due to the presence of flavonoids like beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin which keep the membranes of your eyes healthy preventing damage. Include papaya in your diet for perfect eye health.

3. Good for your Blood 

Papaya is loaded with folate or folic acid. Folic acid is very important in the rapid growth and multiplication of red and white blood cells in your body’s bone marrow. One cup of papaya has 82.26 MCG of folic acid which is about 47% of your recommended daily allowance. It is especially good in pregnancy as your body’s requirement of folic acid increases during that time. Try this for an easy and healthy mango and papaya snack. 

Take a mango. Peel it and cut the flesh of it. Now take the papaya. Cut in half and scoop out the seeds. Remove the peel like the mangoes. Slice the mangoes and papaya. Take sugar, salt, spices, and lime in a small bowl and sprinkle them on top of the fruits.

4. Treats Alzheimer 

Oxidative stress is believed to play a role in Alzheimer’s disease. This is an imbalance in the body of antioxidants and free radicals, which are molecules causing cell damage. Fermented papaya powder has been found to counteract the effects of oxidative stress in Alzheimer’s patients.

5. Prevents Cancer

Nutrient-rich foods protect your body’s natural defense mechanism. Like many fruits, papayas are rich in antioxidants, thus preventing cell damage. But it’s pretty hard to compete with since it’s combined with cancer-fighting lycopene and another lesser-known carotenoid and natural pigment that give papaya its bright color. Additionally, papaya contains beta-carotene, another prostrate cancer-protecting agent. It can stop the growth of breast cancer cells, halt metastasis, and normalize the cell cycle.

6. Boosting Immune System 

Papaya is an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamin C can boost your immune system and protect your body from many illnesses and infections. 

7. Improves Digestion 

The high water content of papaya can improve digestion by reducing bloating and easing constipation. The fiber in this fruit also encourages regular bowel activity, lowering the risk of colon cancer. For best results, eat papaya an hour before or after the meal.

8. Potentially Protects the Heart

One of the many benefits of papaya is that it safeguards your heart. Papaya contains vitamin C, potassium, antioxidants, and fiber, which help keep your arteries healthy and promote blood flow. This can also lower cholesterol and reduce your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. 

9. Fights Inflammation 

Papaya may also function as a natural painkiller because of the enzyme papain. This enzyme increases the bodies’ production of cytokines, regulating inflammation. 

10. Flattens Stomach 

Papaya’s super enzyme, papain helps to promote digestion, relieves constipation, and ensures healthy waterworks. All of these things help with weight loss.

11. Has Anti-Aging Properties

It’s time to eat your way to younger-looking skin. Despite what some people think, ditching the frankenfoods and consuming antioxidant-rich whole foods will reflect on your skin, inside and out. And with papaya, the abundance of alpha hydroxy acid will help your skin look brighter, and smoother without the dizzying price tag. Furthermore, papaya also hydrates your skin and increases its elasticity. In this way, papaya also helps in preventing wrinkles.

12. Heals Skin Blemishes 

Your skin constantly faces the harmful effects of pollution and other atmospheric pollutants. As per your age, your skin tone color and help increasingly succumbs to the onslaught of the elements and it shows. Papaya’s enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids have the ability to halt further deterioration, even improving skin health. So imperfections and blemishes such as acne and brown patches or pigmentation are greatly alleviated by the application of papaya directly on your skin. 

Simply apply grated papaya twice a day on the face and leave it for 20 to 25 minutes before rinsing off with water. The results after few days will nothing short of spectacular. 

13. Improves Kidney Health 

Papaya is rich in potassium which is a huge support for kidney health. It cleans out the toxins passes out in the kidneys and reduces the accumulation of uric acid in the blood. Papaya is playing an awesome role in keeping your kidney healthy. The presence of flavonoids helps in keeping the cells generating and prevents your kidney from dysfunctioning. 

14. Lowers Cholesterol 

We had mentioned earlier that papaya is rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber. All of these are helpful in reducing cholesterol levels in your arteries. It also prevents the formation of cholesterol and several other diseases such as hypertension, stroke, and heart attacks. Studies have been shown that papaya improved blood cholesterol profiles and bone density. You can make a papaya smoothie and add black pepper and salt to taste. To give it a twist you can add chia seeds or flax seeds, which are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that improves your heart strength.

15. Promotes Hair Growth

Apart from keeping your skin healthy, papayas are very effective for maintaining healthy hair. Their vitamin A is utilized in the production of sebum, a compound that is crucial for keeping your hair smooth, shiny, and moisturized. External application of papaya extract to the scalp can help you to get rid of dandruff as well. It also prevents hair loss, boosts hair growth, and strengthens your hair. 

Papaya Hair Mask

Plain papaya, banana, yogurt, and coconut oil together become a thick paste. Apply it to your hair. Use the shower gel for half an hour to generate heat in your scalp. Rinse with warm water for best results.