Papaya Sweet Answer to our Well Being and Health
Papaya Health Benefits and Papaya in Medicine.
Medical and health benefits of papaya for cancer, gastro treatments and
other diseases. The parts used medicinally are the fruit, seeds, stems
and leaves of papaya (lat. Carica papaya), or paw paw, also used for
revitalizing human's body and organism. Also referring to the papaya /
pawpaw leaf extract cancer cure with more on papaya facts, enzymes and
natural healing properties. Macro photo of papaya leaf having
measurement 1 foot or 30 cm across in diameter.
Just recently I came across an eye opening book by Barry Thomson “Join
Our Escape From Death Row-Cancer Jail”, where he in a most genuine and
generous ways shares valuable information and his knowledge in effective
fight against cancer and ill health. Among other very interesting
information I red about simple but wonderful papaya and its healing
properties. One chapter in this book awoke in me more desire to learn
and research as much as I possibly could as on a professional level I
deal with people suffering many different health issues and aliments who
look for alternative ways to help them. I would love to share what I
know as I believe it can make difference in everyday life of many
others. I am also hoping that this will prompt other people to share
their knowledge about improving our general well being and health. (this
book is further described in comment #100 below)Papaya, Paw Paw, Papaw, Tree Melon (botanical name Carica papaya), it has oblong shape, normally greenish yellow, yellow or orange color. It is a large tree plant fruit usually reaching 2.5kg. It has bitter sweet taste and comes from tropical places with higher humidity, native to Mexico, countries of Central America, Thailand, Africa and Asia and growing well in Australia.
Papaya Health Benefits
Paw Paw how we call it here in Australia is these days plentiful all year round in most of the countries. The parts that are used medicinally are fruit, seeds, stems and leaves. I did look around and found out you can buy paw paw in all forms, in a form of fermented papaya, herbal teas even tablets and of course plenty of the fresh fruit, which can be eaten as it is or in a form of juice. So you ask what are these awesome healing properties of paw paw? Well where do I start? Papaya fruit is and excellent source of dietary fiber, folate, vitamin A, C and E. It also contains small amount of calcium, iron, riboflavin, thiamine and niacine. It is also very rich in antioxidant nutrients flavonoids and carotenes, very high in vitamin C plus A, and low in calories and sodium.
PawPaw tree.
Paw paw is rich in enzymes called papain and chymopapain which helps
with the digestion, particularly it breaks down the proteins from the
food we eat into amino acids. The latest research shows that amino acids
are responsible for all what is happening in our organism, basically
for what is happening in every chemical reaction as well as our mental
and physical health. As we age we produce less of the digestive enzymes
in our stomach and pancreas, which leads to ineffective digestion of
proteins. Due to this we end up with excess amount of undigested
protein, which leads to overgrowth of the bad bacteria in our
gastrointestinal system and not enough of amino acids to perform all
important chemical reactions. We can say that good quality protein is
absolutely essential for our healthy being. This is where the papaya
enzymes can be very beneficial.
The papain enzymes are produced in the skinny peel of paw paw. The
combination of these enzymes repels insect during the ripening, without
this protection paw paw fruit would not survive. Eating paw paw after a
meal makes for better digestion, prevents bloating and chronic
indigestion. It can also lower the inflammation in the body, alleviates
the pain and edema caused by sport injuries. Because of its
anti-inflammatory properties papaya can relieve the severity of
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Because of its high antioxidant
content, papaya can prevent cholesterol oxidation and can be use in a
preventative treatments against atherosclerosis, strokes, heart attacks
and diabetic heart disease.In a everyday health papaya works magic on strengthening the immune system preventing the recurrent colds and flu. After treatment with antibiotics eating paw paw or drinking its juice replenishes the good intestinal bacteria, which was destroyed by the antibiotic treatment. The latest good news from eating paw paw comes down once again to papain the enzyme which I talked about, it was found to destroy intestinal parasites. Papain is proteolitic enzyme, which means that it digests inert (non-living) proteins. Intestinal parasites are largely protein, the papain attacks it and causes parasite to die. Also, home applications of leaf and bark papaya extract is used to deal with mouth gums and toothaches which is being effectively practised in many cultures around the world.
Papaya Research and Products
Papain is also being studied for relief of cancer therapy side effects, especially relieving side effects such as difficulty swallowing and mouth sores after radiation and chemotherapy as well as boosting up the immune system and helping body to fight the cancer. I am big fan of the products made by Rochway, Australian company, as they use organically grown papaya, producing among other products, product called Papaya35, fermented papaya enzymes. They also produce Blueberry and PawPaw probiotic Punch, which has very strong antioxidant properties that protects against free radicals. Free radicals contribute largely in many diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and cancer. Rochway products are 99% sugar free which makes them suitable for people suffering diabetes as well. As you can see there is plenty we can benefit from this simple fruit, more and more research is being done and I can’t wait to hear more about it.For references and more on the current studies you can look up PubMed Gov. ( search www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ ) as for the products there are few available on the market. I am sure if you look around you will be able to find many available or simply stick with the fresh fruit. However if you are looking or hoping for more therapeutic effect of eating papaya, you need to be aware the unripened papaya (still green papaya) contains far more of the proteolytic enzymes papain and chymopapain than ripened papaya which we commonly eat. You can also juice the leaves and stems but be prepared for the vile taste of it …. you can’t naturally like its taste nor does the cancer cells.
Summary of Healing Properties of Papaya
- Increases quality of proteins in whole organism.
- Revitalize the human body and maintain energy and vitality.
- Encourages the renewal of muscle tissue.
- Supports cardiovascular system.
- Boosts up the immune system.
- Helps with the digestive system, by breaking down the proteins and supporting production of digestive enzymes.
- Papaya can be use also externally as a treatment for skin wounds that don’t heal quickly, for this you can use papaya peel or ointments made out of papaya.
- Prevents the cataract formation.
- Due to high vitamin A, it lowers the risk of emphysema in smokers and passive smokers.
- Alleviates inflammation.
- Helps with the nausea and constipation.
- Can benefit people suffering colon cancer and other forms of cancers and aliments of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems.
Nutrients weights with values below are for edible papaya/pawpaw part, seeds with skin refused (minus ~38%).
1 cup in 1 inch or 25mm papaya cubes = 5.1 oz net wt. = 145 grams
1 cup of mashed papaya = 8.1 oz net wt. = 230 grams
1 cup in 1 inch or 25mm papaya cubes = 5.1 oz net wt. = 145 grams
1 cup of mashed papaya = 8.1 oz net wt. = 230 grams
| Nutrients in papaya | Measure units |
Value per 100 grams |
Data points |
Standard error |
| Water |
g
|
88.06
|
72
|
1.096
|
| Energy (kilocalories) |
kcal
|
43
|
0
|
0
|
| Energy (kilojoules) |
kJ
|
179
|
0
|
0
|
| Protein |
g
|
0.47
|
9
|
0.094
|
| Total lipids (fats) |
g
|
0.26
|
9
|
0.145
|
| Ash |
g
|
0.39
|
9
|
0.087
|
| Carbohydrate, by difference |
g
|
10.82
|
0
|
0
|
| Fiber, total dietary |
g
|
1.7
|
9
|
0.184
|
| Sugars, total |
g
|
7.82
|
3
|
1.405
|
| Sucrose |
g
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
| Glucose (dextrose) |
g
|
4.09
|
3
|
0.684
|
| Fructose |
g
|
3.73
|
3
|
0.722
|
| Lactose |
g
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
| Maltose |
g
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
| Galactose |
g
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
| Starch |
g
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
| Minerals in papaya | Measure units |
Value per 100 grams |
Data points |
Standard error |
| Calcium (Ca) |
mg
|
20
|
70
|
2.114
|
| Iron (Fe) |
mg
|
0.25
|
70
|
0.062
|
| Magnesium (Mg) |
mg
|
21
|
70
|
1.665
|
| Phosphorus (P) |
mg
|
10
|
69
|
2.206
|
| Potassium (K) |
mg
|
182
|
70
|
11.140
|
| Sodium (Na) |
mg
|
8
|
70
|
2.031
|
| Zinc (Zn) |
mg
|
0.08
|
70
|
0.008
|
| Copper (Cu) |
mg
|
0.045
|
70
|
0.012
|
| Manganese (Mn) |
mg
|
0.040
|
70
|
0.016
|
| Selenium (Se) |
µg
|
0.6
|
0
|
0
|
| Vitamins in papaya | Measure units |
Value per 100 grams |
Data points |
Standard error |
| Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) |
mg
|
60.9
|
73
|
3.838
|
| Thiamin |
mg
|
0.023
|
9
|
0.006
|
| Riboflavin |
mg
|
0.027
|
9
|
0.005
|
| Niacin |
mg
|
0.357
|
9
|
0.027
|
| Pantothenic acid |
mg
|
0.191
|
9
|
0.052
|
| Vitamin B-6 |
mg
|
0.038
|
9
|
0.012
|
| Folate (total) |
µg
|
37
|
8
|
1.515
|
| Folic acid |
µg
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Folate (food) |
µg
|
37
|
8
|
1.515
|
| Folate (DFE) |
µg
|
37
|
0
|
0
|
| Choline (total) |
mg
|
6.1
|
0
|
0
|
| Vitamin B-12 |
µg
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Vitamin A (RAE) |
µg
|
47
|
0
|
0
|
| Retinol |
µg
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Carotene (beta) |
µg
|
274
|
76
|
122.108
|
| Carotene (alpha) |
µg
|
2
|
67
|
2.276
|
| Cryptoxanthin (beta) |
µg
|
589
|
75
|
160.896
|
| Vitamin A, fat soluble (IU, µg) |
IU
|
950
|
0
|
0
|
| Lycopene |
µg
|
1828
|
22
|
206.714
|
| Lutein plus zeaxanthin |
µg
|
89
|
67
|
31.655
|
| Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) |
mg
|
0.30
|
5
|
0.097
|
| Vitamin E |
mg
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Tocopherol (beta) |
mg
|
0.02
|
5
|
0.013
|
| Tocopherol (gamma) |
mg
|
0.09
|
5
|
0.009
|
| Tocopherol (delta) |
mg
|
0.01
|
5
|
0.013
|
| Vitamin D, D2 plus D3 |
µg
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Vitamin D |
IU
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Vitamin K, Phylloquinone |
µg
|
2.6
|
0
|
0
|
| Lipids (fats) in papaya | Measure units |
Value per 100 grams |
Data points |
Standard error |
| Saturated fatty acids (total) |
g
|
0.081
|
0
|
0
|
| 4:0 butanoic acid |
g
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 6:0 hexanoic acid |
g
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 8:0 octanoic acid |
g
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 10:0 decanoic acid |
g
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 12:0 dodecanoic acid |
g
|
0.002
|
2
|
0
|
| 14:0 tetradecanoic acid |
g
|
0.013
|
3
|
0
|
| 16:0 hexadecanoic acid |
g
|
0.060
|
3
|
0
|
| 18:0 octadecanoic acid (Lauric acid) |
g
|
0.004
|
3
|
0
|
| Monounsaturated fatty acids (total) |
g
|
0.072
|
0
|
0
|
| 16:1 (not differentiated) |
g
|
0.038
|
3
|
0
|
| 18:1 octadecenoic acid (Omega-9) |
g
|
0.034
|
3
|
0
|
| 20:1 eicosenoic acid (Omega-9) |
g
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 22:1 docosenoic acid (Omega-9) |
g
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Polyunsaturated fatty acids (total) |
g
|
0.058
|
0
|
0
|
| 18:2 octadecadienoic acid (Omega-6) |
g
|
0.011
|
3
|
0
|
| 18:3 octadecatrienoic acid (Omega-6) |
g
|
0.047
|
3
|
0
|
| 18:4 octadecatetraenoic acid (Omega-3/6) |
g
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 20:4 eicosatetraenoic acid (Omega-3/6) |
g
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 20:5 eicosapentaenoic acid n-3 (EPA, Omega-3) |
g
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 22:5 docosapentaenoic acid n-3 (DPA, Omega-3) |
g
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 22:6 docosahexaenoic acid n-3 (DHA, Omega-3) |
g
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Cholesterol |
mg
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Amino acids in papaya | Measure units |
Value per 100 grams |
Data points |
Standard error |
| Tryptophan |
g
|
0.008
|
6
|
0
|
| Threonine |
g
|
0.011
|
1
|
0
|
| Isoleucine |
g
|
0.008
|
1
|
0
|
| Leucine |
g
|
0.016
|
1
|
0
|
| Lysine |
g
|
0.025
|
7
|
0
|
| Methionine |
g
|
0.002
|
5
|
0
|
| Phenylalanine |
g
|
0.009
|
1
|
0
|
| Tyrosine |
g
|
0.005
|
1
|
0
|
| Valine |
g
|
0.010
|
1
|
0
|
| Arginine |
g
|
0.010
|
1
|
0
|
| Histidine |
g
|
0.005
|
1
|
0
|
| Alanine |
g
|
0.014
|
1
|
0
|
| Aspartic acid |
g
|
0.049
|
1
|
0
|
| Glutamic acid |
g
|
0.033
|
1
|
0
|
| Glycine |
g
|
0.018
|
1
|
0
|
| Proline |
g
|
0.010
|
1
|
0
|
| Serine |
g
|
0.015
|
1
|
0
|
| Other in papaya | Measure units |
Value per 100 grams |
Data points |
Standard error |
| Alcohol (ethyl) |
g
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Caffeine |
mg
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Theobromine |
mg
|
0
|
