According to a popular saying in Mexico and Central America: "a papaya a day keeps the doctor away". Popular wisdom is not mistaken in this statement since papaya is a fruit rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and digestive enzymes with important benefits and properties for our health.
This fleshy fruit, of texture and soft taste, before the discovery of America, originates in Mexico and other countries of Central America. After the conquest, its seeds were carried throughout South America, Malaysia, the Philippines, China ... and today it is grown on five continents.
Here are ten of its most important properties:
- Aid to digestion: in the papayas is an enzyme called papain that helps the digestion of proteins. This enzyme can help people who do not produce enough pancreatic enzymes and therefore suffer from problems of indigestion (gas, bloating and flatulence).
- Combat constipation: its high fiber content and the properties of papain stimulate bowel movement or motility.
- Seeds: Protect the kidney, helping to prevent problems of kidney failure; Help to clear the liver (helping to purify the substances it does not need); Protect the digestive system by possessing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties (combat Salmonella and staphylococci, among others); They absorb excess fat and sugars (they have an effect that burns fat in the body), accelerate digestion and contribute to weight loss; Eliminates intestinal parasites thanks to its high content of proteolytic (antiparasitic) enzymes and an alkaloid called carpaine very effective to fight worms of intestinal parasites and amoebas.
- High Vitamin C content: One hundred grams of this fruit cover 100% of the recommended amount for an average adult, it brings even more vitamin C than an orange. Vitamin C increases the natural defenses, favors the formation of collagen, activates the absorption of iron and has antioxidant effect.
- Improves skin health: Papaya is a great source of antioxidants, plus vitamin C has a high content of vitamin E, and beta-carotene that help us protect our skin against free radicals. Lycopene, a carotenoid that contributes to the coloration of papaya, also has antioxidant effect.
- Vitamin A: Papaya covers 25% of the daily amount of vitamin A for an average adult. This improves the health of the skin, mucous membranes and immune system.
- Excellent for your eyes: It protects against the development of cataracts, glaucoma and other chronic eye diseases. The carotenoids of lutein, which contains papaya absorb, the ultraviolet rays of the sun preventing them from damaging the retina and the carotenoids of zeaxanthin protect the fatty substances inside the eyes from damage caused by free radicals.
- Folic acid rich: Folic acid deficiency is linked to a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases, such as arteriosclerosis, artery blockage, heart attacks, stroke, and congenital heart defects.
- Restores the body's acid-base balance (minerals): Papaya contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus, which help restore the body's acid-base balance.
10- Improves blood flow: High levels of vitamin C and vitamin E along with antioxidants such as beta-carotene and papaya lycopene help reduce the oxidation of cholesterol in our arteries.
Papaya can be consumed in many ways, in the form of fresh fruit, in juices, shakes, as part of a salad ... In our Eco Finca Tecina we grow papayas without pesticides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers, one hundred percent natural and healthy. Do you fancy one?