Hey boo! Can I tell you a juicy secret?
Papaya is an amazing source of vitamin C and can provide you with more than 300% of the recommended daily intake!
Papaya is a staple food that can be found in many African countries.
It’s rich in vitamins A, C, folate, and potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure levels. This fruit also contains trace amounts of calcium, magnesium, B1, B3, B5, E and K – all essential nutrients for a healthy lifestyle.
Chile, it gets better! Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which can break down the tough protein chains found in muscle meat. Because of this, papaya has been used to tenderize meat for thousands of years, and can also be consumed to improve digestion of protein.
The benefits of eating Papaya include supporting increased immunity thanks to its antioxidant properties, lowered risk for heart disease, high cholesterol and cancer, reducing inflammation, and supporting the bodies’ natural detoxification process.
Trying to get that vegan glow or reduce signs of aging? The vitamin C and lycopene in papaya can protect your skin. A randomized controlled trial published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science showed that older women who consumed a mixture of lycopene, vitamin C and other antioxidants for 14 weeks had a visible and measurable reduction in depth of facial wrinkles.
It has been used traditionally in Indian medicine as a digestion aid because it is high in fiber and water content, promoting a healthy digestive tract. And in the case you are trying to eliminate a parasite – papaya seeds are actually anti-paritisic.
Papayas also contain alkaloids like piperine, which serve as natural pain relievers and can help to reduce the effects of inflammation in joints while reducing your risk for chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Hope I gave you enough reasons to get down with this African staple. There are over ten varieties of this fruit worldwide, so girl, you got options.
Did I miss anything about Papaya? Let me know in the comments. – XO