The benefits of papaya are thanks to its nutritional content that provides a lot of good for the body, from maintaining healthy skin to the heart. In addition, there are many other papaya benefits that can be obtained by consuming this fruit regularly.
One way to maintain a healthy body is to eat foods rich in nutrients, such as fruits, and papaya is a fruit that is very commonly consumed by the people of Indonesia.
Papaya fruit contains a variety of nutrients that are good for the body, such as:
- Vitamins, such as vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K
- Fiber
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Folate
- Magnesium
In addition to the various vitamins and minerals above, papaya also contains a variety of antioxidants, such as lycopene.
Various Benefits of Papaya
Some people may know papaya only as a fruit that can facilitate digestion. In fact, there are actually a variety of other benefits of papaya fruit and good for the health of the body, including:
1. Maintain eye health
Papaya fruit is known to contain vitamin A which is good for the eyes. In addition, the content of vitamin A in this fruit can also reduce the risk of vision problems associated with aging, such as macular degeneration.
2. Maintain healthy hair and nails
The variety of vitamins and minerals contained in papaya is believed to increase hair and nail growth. This fruit with orange flesh can even be processed into a hair mask to nourish and thicken hair.
3. Restore sunburned skin
Papaya contains an antioxidant called lycopene. A study revealed that eating foods containing lycopene can maintain healthy skin.
This is because lycopene can counteract cell damage due to sun exposure and reduce skin redness due to sunburn.
4. Smooth digestion
The benefits of papaya on this one are certainly not foreign. This is because papaya is high in fiber and the enzyme papain which makes protein easier to digest. Research reveals that regular consumption of papaya is known to relieve constipation and flatulence.
5. Maintain heart health
The content of vitamin C and lycopene in papaya makes this fruit a good food to reduce the risk of heart disease. In addition, the antioxidant content in papaya can also increase the effect of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body.
6. Maintain healthy skin
Various nutrients in papaya are able to keep the skin healthy and look young. For example, papain enzymes that can soften the skin and vitamins A and C that reduce wrinkles and fade dark spots.
Not only that, the content of vitamin C also serves to help the body produce collagen which can reduce wrinkles on the skin.
7. Boost the immune system
Rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E, papaya is one of the fruits that can boost the immune system. Thus, you will avoid infectious diseases, such as colds and flu.
In addition to some of the benefits above, papaya fruit can also reduce the risk of developing cancer. This is thanks to the antioxidant content of lycopene which is able to ward off cancer-causing free radicals.
Not only the fruit, the leaves from the papaya tree are also good for consumption, especially if you are suffering from dengue fever. Papaya leaves are believed to increase platelets faster. However, the benefits of papaya on this one still need to be studied further.
To get the various benefits of papaya for health, consume this fruit regularly, for example as a snack or dessert after eating. However, it's best to consult your doctor first if you have certain illnesses that limit your food choices.