Papaya fruit contains papain, which is an enzyme that helps digest protein. Papaya also contains lots of antioxidants, minerals, potassium, copper, magnesium, and fiber. All these nutrients provide various health benefits for the body.
1. Papaya protects the body from macular degeneration
Macular degeneration (macular degeneration) is a decrease in body condition due to aging. Papaya fruit is also considered to play an important role in protecting eye health, and protecting the body from macular degeneration. The antioxidant zeaxanthin in papaya blocks harmful blue light rays.
2. Papaya is good for heart health
Papaya helps prevent atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease (DHD, which is a heart disease that develops in diabetics), because it contains many important nutrients to prevent heart disease. These nutrients, namely: antioxidants, fiber, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
3. Papaya is good for diabetics
One medium papaya contains about 4, 7 grams of fiber. Research shows that people with type 1 diabetes who eat a diet rich in fiber have lower blood glucose levels. While type 2 diabetics who eat fiber-rich foods have increased blood sugar, lipid and insulin levels.
4. Papaya has anti-cancer benefits
Papaya is rich in fiber, folate, vitamin C, beta carotene, and vitamin E which can reduce the risk of colon cancer. According to research conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health's Department of NutritionThe antioxidant beta carotene in papaya is also able to stop the development of colon cancer cells, and may have a role in protecting the body from prostate cancer.
5. Papaya boosts the immune system
Papaya which is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and beta carotene can boost the immune system. Therefore, regularly eating papaya can prevent fever, flu, and infection.
6. Papaya has anti-inflammatory effect
The choline in papaya is an important nutrient to help the body sleep better, aid muscle movement, and help improve memory. Choline also helps maintain the cellular structure of membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, aids fat absorption and reduces chronic inflammation. In addition, papaya also contains vitamin C, beta carotene, papain and chymopapain enzymes that help reduce inflammation and heal burns.
7. Papaya protects the body from rheumatoid arthritis
Research results recorded in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases state that those who eat foods rich in vitamin C such as papaya are more protected from rheumatoid arthritis. The study, which involved more than 20,000 people, focused on people with inflammatory polyarthritisand people who don't have arthritis. After the study period ended, it was found that people who rarely eat foods containing vitamin C are at risk of developing arthritis three times more than those who regularly eat foods rich in vitamin C.
8. Papaya improves eyesight
By blocking harmful blue light rays and protecting eye health, papaya can improve eyesight. Eating 3 servings of papaya fruit every day can make vision normal, and reduce the risk of vision loss (blindness) in adults.
9. Papaya healthy digestion
The papain enzyme in papaya can nourish the digestive system and soften the meat in digestion. The fiber and water content in papaya helps prevent constipation, and improves the digestive system.
10. Papaya is good for bone health
Vitamin K contained in papaya acts as a protein modifier in bone structure, so that it can increase calcium absorption by the body, reduce calcium release, and protect bones from brittleness. The benefits of papaya fruit are not only that. Other benefits of papaya fruit are: preventing asthma because of its beta carotene content, containing anthelmintic which can expel intestinal worms, overcome digestive problems, detoxify the body, and as an anti-parasitic. For women, papaya has important benefits for skin and hair beauty, as well as for menstruation.