Papaya, "The Fruit of Angels"

A tropical fruit, the papaya looks like a small cantaloupe or honeydew melon. In some places papayas are called papaws or pawpaws. The North American native pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a temperate tree fruit in the mostly tropical custard apple family, Annonaceae. Pawpaw is also a common name for papaya (Carica papaya), a tropical fruit in the family Caricaceae. The two fruits are very different from each other, but some pawpaws do have a papaya-like flavor. Most varieties turn yellow to orange when ripe, while some remain green. The papaya is a popular fruit loaded with nutrition, and effective in preventing and treating a number of health conditions. It owes its efficacy to its nutrient rich content.

Composition of the Papaya; The papaya contains a large number of essential nutrients:

It is a rich source of anti-oxidants, especially beta carotene, which is a form of Vitamin A. It has the second highest content of beta carotene among fruits, and derives its orange color from it.
A raw papaya does not have beta carotene, but is very rich in Vitamin C. Half a fruit provides the daily requirement of vitamin C for an adult.
There are small amounts of vitamin B: thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. It also contains folate and pantothenic acid. Finally, there is a small amount of vitamin G.
Essential minerals in the papaya include potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron.
It also contains flavonoids, which are antioxidant nutrients.
It has a high fiber and water content
The papaya is a source of enzymes: arginine, carpain and specially papain. The latter is a plant pepsin, which is an enzyme used to digest protein.

The antioxidants, especially vitamins A and C, in the papaya prevent a number of health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, aging and cancer, especially of the colon. Vitamin A prevents blindness and other eye problems, and ensures a healthy skin. It is an effective remedy for dry skin, pimples and acne. The juice of the raw or green papaya is used to clear skin blemishes, while the skin is used as a face wash. The papaya helps to maintain the levels of blood glucose, thus ensuring a steady supply of glucose and high levels of energy all day.

The papain performs many functions. It is effective in digestion and pain relief, as it balances the acid levels in the stomach. Since it is an excellent digestive agent, it prevents constipation and consequently, all skin ailments. Mature, ripe fruits have been used for centuries as an effective remedy against ringworm, due to its antielmintic properties. A ripe papaya is good for stomach problems, constipation and piles, while the unripe papaya is used to treat gastritis and liver problems like jaundice. Green fruits, on the other hand, have been used to lower blood pressure. It also cleanses the liver. The other enzymes too play important roles. Arginine is good for male fertility, while carpain is good for the heart. Papaya juice is often recommended to restore the metabolism and normal bacteria after a course of strong antibiotics. The low calorie, high fiber and water content are all good for weight control.

Most papaya fruit is used for commercial and medicinal reasons. Not many papaya fruits make it to the markets. The enzyme papain is used treat wool products to prevent shrinkage, remove stains from fine fabrics, and as an antidote for jellyfish stings and insect bites. It is also used to make toothpaste, cosmetic products, beer, and contact lens cleanser.

Culinary Uses of the Papaya; The ripe papaya is best eaten fresh, and can be combined with salads or ice cream. The green papaya is cooked as curry, and also makes a tasty salad. Papaya seeds are used as a substitute for black pepper, due to their peppery flavor. Due to papayas' high content in proteolytic enzymes, especially papain, their juice has been used to pre-digest meat (e.g. as a meat tenderizer)

Papaya: Avoid during pregnancy If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, avoid eating papaya or using a papaya product. Papaya is sometimes recommended for soothing indigestion, which is a common ailment during pregnancy. Although a fully ripe papaya is not considered dangerous, a papaya that is at all unripe contains a latex substance that triggers uterine contractions and may cause a miscarriage. Researchers have noted that unripe papaya latex acts like prostaglandin and oxytocin, which the body makes to start labor. Synthetic prostaglandin and oxytocin are commonly used to start or strengthen labor contractions.

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