You may not usually include papaya as part of your grocery list. It tends to be an exotic tropical fruit that you would only buy if you feel like stepping outside your comfort zone. The papaya is the fruit of the Carica papaya plant. It originates from Central America and Southern Mexico but can now be found all over the world. It isn’t just a flavorful fruit to snack on. It is full of nutrients and in turn, provides you with lots of health benefits. Read on to find out some reasons why seniors should eat papaya regularly.
Full of Nutrients
The papaya contains high levels of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as fiber and other healthy plant compounds. It is also high in healthy antioxidants, known as carotenoids, especially lycopene and beta-carotene. In addition, your body is better able to absorb such beneficial antioxidants from papaya than any other fruit or vegetable.
Has Powerful Antioxidant Effects
The body creates harmful reactive molecules called free radicals during metabolism. These molecules can further oxidative stress, leading to the body developing diseases. However, antioxidants, such as the ones found in papayas, can neutralize free radicals. Participants in a study with Alzheimer’s were given fermented papaya extracts for six months and found that there was a reduction in oxidative damage to the DNA, which is connected to age-related cognitive diseases and cancer.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Eating papaya regularly can improve your heart health. Research has shown that fruits that contain high amounts of vitamin C and lycopene help to prevent heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. The antioxidant properties can also strengthen the heart and enhance the effects of good cholesterol. A study discovered that those who took fermented papaya supplements for 14 weeks had a better ratio of bad and good cholesterol and less inflammation than participants that were given a placebo.
Has Anticancer Properties
Free radicals and oxidative stress are associated with a high risk of different types of cancer. Because of the high amounts of lycopene and other antioxidants in papayas, eating this fruit can neutralize free radicals, thus aiding in the protection of cells from damage and reduction of cancer risk. Another antioxidant, beta-carotene, is able to fend off prostate cancer in particular. Research also suggests that papayas are beneficial in treating cancer patients as they reduce the free radicals that promote cancer. The papaya is also unique in that among many other fruits and vegetables, it is the only one that demonstrated anticancer activity against breast cancer cells.
Improves Digestion
The high fiber amount in papaya helps with making digestion smoother, while the papain enzyme makes protein easier to digest. The papain enzyme has long been used as a traditional method to tenderize meat as it is able to break down tough protein chains in meat. As such, people in the tropics often deem papaya as a remedy for constipation and other bowel-related diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome. In a study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, participants who ingested a papaya-based formula for 40 days saw an impressive improvement in their constipation and bloating issues.
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