Papaya: all the properties and health benefits

Origin of the papaya

It is said that in one of the arrivals of Colon and his people to American lands, were entertained by the natives with a succulent banquet, and his men, who came from a long journey, ate until they were sick.

Their hosts then led them to the tropical forest and there they fed them papayas (caricafrom the Greek “karike”, and papayafrom Maya”páapay-ya” or “variegated sapote”) to alleviate your digestive problems, connoisseurs of the wonderful qualities of this fruit for the body. That may be why they baptized it at first as “angel food”.

Its origin was in Mexico or in the Peruvian Andes. Most likely, among the more than 70 species of Caricaceae that exist, there were different varieties spread throughout the area.

During the 16th century, Spanish and Portuguese sailors spread it from Mexico to the Caribbean and the rest of South America, and later took it with them to the Philippines, Malaysia, southern China, India, Ceylon, Zanzibar and Uganda. At the beginning of the 19th century, they arrived in Hawaii, the current main supplier of the United States.

Papaya Nutritional Values

How many calories does papaya have?

papaya is a fruit rich in water (88%), which makes it a very light food. In every 100 grams of fresh papaya we find:

calories: 35 caloriesproteins: 0.5gfats: 0.1gcarbohydrates: 7.1gFiber: 1.9g

Papaya properties

With half a papaya, almost double the daily needs of vitamin C and a quarter of provitamin A in the form of beta-carotene. 38% of the contribution of folic acid, and almost 20% of Vitamin E.

Papaya is also rich in potassium; half a piece provides the sixth part that the body needs per day of this mineral.

In addition, it contributes soluble fiber, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, alpha linolenic acid (of the family of omega 3 oils), alkaloids that regulate blood pressure; phenols and lycopene, with antioxidant action.

The papaya also keeps a hidden asset: the papain, a proteolytic enzymenamed for its ability to break down proteins and facilitate the digestive process.

What are the benefits of papaya?

With all these benefits, and its antioxidant power, this fruit is suitable for almost everyone, but especially for elderly people, growing children, lactating women and smokers. Take note of the benefits of papaya for health:

1. Relieves digestive conditions

Digestive conditions are another of its strongest fields, especially when there is a deficit of gastroduodenal and pancreatic secretions. Gastritis, hiatal hernia, heartburn and poor digestion are alleviated with papaya.

In case of diarrhea, however, this fruit should not be taken, as it has a slight laxative effect.

2. Papaya is beneficial against cancer

Popular medicines already knew its healthy effects. Perhaps the most astonishing case was its use to treat, for centuries and in places as diverse as Australia and Mexico, cancerous tumors.

Now it is used in the form of enzyme therapy to reduce the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy, and in some cases life is prolonged, although the mechanism is still unknown.

3. Decreases inflammation and fluid retention

Its anti-inflammatory effects They are used in treatments for internal use to combat tonsillitis, pharyngitis, arthritis or gout, and for external use, on wounds, bruises or bites.

It is also useful if you have fluid retention; in case of stress and anxiety, when there is a weak immune system, for intense physical activity, in iron deficiency anemia, for cardiovascular disorders, degenerative diseases, in low-fat diets, in case of bulimia…

4. Improves the health of the skin and mucous membranes

A serving of papaya contains the 25% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin A.

This nutrient, specifically beta-carotene, plays a fundamental role in the maintenance of mucous membranes, in addition to facilitating the melanin synthesis. Melanin is key to protecting the skin from solar radiation and get a tanned and healthy tone.

5. Provides natural antioxidants

In addition to its high doses of vitamin A, the consumption of papaya is especially interesting due to its content in lycopene. This compound, which gives the fruit its characteristic colorIt is a powerful antioxidant.

Does papaya have contraindications?

Although it is clear that its health benefits are many, it has some contraindications that should be taken into account.

During pregnancy: Papain in large amounts has been shown to cause uterine contractions.In people allergic to latex: as it happens with other tropical plants like the Kiwi or the avocadopapaya skin contains latex that can produce allergic reactions.The seeds are toxicThey contain an enzyme called carpina which can be toxic, reaching numb the nerves and cause paralysis in the most serious cases.

Papaya in the kitchen

Papaya is in season all year, but in summer and in early autumn their sugars reach their highest point.

Although the varieties are numerous, practically all of those that reach our European markets are of hawaiian type and they belong to the so-called Solo, of which there are many different cultivars: sunrise, sunset, rainbow or kapoho.

They named it Solo because each fruit is a portion, “only one fruit is needed per person.” In the US, the Solo Golden variety also predominates.

In Spain, the only European country where they are cultivated, Canary Islands produce about 10,000 tons per year of excellent quality, but up to 98% of those we buy in greengrocers on the peninsula come from Brazil.

papaya can be include in salads, cold soups, kebabs and tapas, Vegetable garnishes, delicious mixed or crushed sauces, salty foams, carpaccios, moles such as avocado, in fruit salads, with ice creams, crepes, puff pastries, mousses, flans, sweet creams, cream, yogurt, muesli or irresistible melted dark chocolate.

Purchase and conservation

To check its seasoning, it is best to press lightly with a finger, and if the meat yields gently, it means that it is at its point. If it is already ripe it will last in the fridge for another 5 or 6 days in a plastic bag. If it is too green, it is most likely that it will not fully mature.

If when we go to buy it it is green but we see that the color is yellow around the end of the stem, it means that it will ripen. If it lacks a little it can be left in the fruit bowl. The ideal temperature to complete your point is between 22 and 27 ºC.

To prepare it, it is best to give it a cut in half lengthwise, remove the seeds –which can be used to add a spicy touch to soups–, sprinkle the pulp with a few drops of lemon or lime and eat it as it is, as if it were an avocado.