Close Menu

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    NFL 2020s Future Half-Decade Team: Will Patrick Mahomes Be QB1 For Next 5 Years?

    Are the Blue Jays the Real Deal? Looking At the Reasons Behind Toronto’s Surge

    Ticket Prices for Cooper Flagg’s NBA Summer League Debut are Soaring

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest VKontakte
    Sg Latest NewsSg Latest News
    • Home
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Technology
    • Entertainment
    • Health
    • Sports
    Sg Latest NewsSg Latest News
    Home»Health»Papaya and Papain: The Sweet Secret to Better Health
    Health

    Papaya and Papain: The Sweet Secret to Better Health

    AdminBy AdminNo Comments6 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email


    Image Source: Bing Image. License: All Creative Commons

    Papaya isn’t only a sweet, tropical fruit you cut up on a warm day—it’s full of nutrients and boasts a rather interesting history. But the thing that makes papaya stand out is an enzyme called papain. Let’s take a closer look at what makes papaya and papain so compelling, how they could potentially improve your health, and what to watch out for before incorporating them into your daily routine.

    Image Source: Bing Image. License: All Creative Commons

    Why Papaya (and Papain) Shines Under the Limelight

    Papaya, or Carica papaya, has been savored for centuries, not only as a delicious fruit but as an age-old medicine. The first to enjoy it were indigenous people in Central America, and with the arrival of Spanish and Portuguese explorers, papaya was disseminated to India, the Philippines, and Hawaii. These days, you may hear it referred to as pawpaw in Australia or kepaya in Southeast Asia. Regardless of the name, it’s highly prized for its vibrant orange pulp, smooth consistency, and whopping health benefits. As WebMD so succinctly states, “Papayas have several health benefits. They’re rich in antioxidants and contain lots of fiber.”

    Image Source: Bing Image. License: All Creative Commons

    What’s Inside: The Nutrients That Make Papaya a Powerhouse

    Papaya is full of vitamins and antioxidants that your body will thank you for. Papaya is particularly rich in vitamin C and vitamin A, and it comes along with fiber and potent nutrients such as lycopene, carotene, and zeaxanthin.

    Image Source: Bing Image. License: All Creative Commons

    These are not only good for your immune system—these nutrients will also do wonders for your heart, safeguard your eyesight, and can even potentially cut the risk of some kinds of cancers. For example, lycopene and zeaxanthin protect your eyes from oxidative stress and damaging blue light, and this may decrease your risk of developing macular degeneration. As Medical News Today states, “Zeaxanthin, a papaya antioxidant, blocks out damaging blue light rays… and may fend off macular degeneration.”

    Image Source: Bing Image. License: All Creative Commons

    Papain: The Ingredient Everyone Is Talking About

    Papain is a natural enzyme predominantly found in raw papaya. Most famous for its protein-breaking properties, it is often used as a tenderizer for meats. But its applications go far beyond the kitchen. Papain can also be found in supplements, chewable tablets, and skincare products. It is sold for numerous benefits, ranging from digestion support to wound healing. As Healthline states, “Papain is a proteolytic enzyme derived from the raw fruit of the papaya plant.” It functions by decomposing proteins into peptides and amino acids.

    Image Source: Bing Image. License: All Creative Commons

    Digestion: What Do We Know?

    You’ve likely heard that papaya or papain supports digestion. Although research on animals indicates that papaya extracts may alleviate gut inflammation or symptom relief, such as acid reflux, there is not much evidence on humans yet. There is no concrete evidence that papain supplements aid in disorders like GERD. All that being said, incorporating papaya into your diet still has some advantages, particularly due to its fiber and water content, which maintains your digestive system in good working order. In their words, Verywell Health states, “There isn’t enough evidence to recommend taking papain supplements for digestion. However, regularly consuming papaya in your diet may be worth a try.”

    Image Source: Bing Image. License: All Creative Commons

    Wound Healing and Skin Health: Some Caution Required

    Papain has been employed in wound management, particularly for wound healing, such as diabetic ulcers. There are some studies indicating that papain dressings may be effective in the debridement of dead tissue and prevention of infection, which may result in accelerated healing. However, it’s not risk-free. The FDA also warned about unapproved topical papain products after receiving reports of serious allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, which is potentially life-threatening. If you’re considering applying papain to your skin, by all means, consult your doctor first. Do not attempt to heal wounds or skin ailments with over-the-counter papain products by yourself. Healthline warns, “The FDA ordered companies to stop marketing unapproved topical papain products due to some people experiencing a life-threatening allergic reaction upon use.”

    Image Source: Bing Image. License: All Creative Commons

    Inflammation and Immune Health: Early Signs of Potential

    There is some initial research indicating that papaya and papain may be anti-inflammatory. Animal experiments with a few small human studies look promising. Papain has been associated with reduced swelling following oral surgery, and in some instances, it seems to decrease inflammation markers. There’s even some evidence that extracts of papaya may boost the immune system or fight infections. But once more, there is still limited evidence and more studies are required to make firm conclusions. Verywell Health mentions, “Promising but limited research suggests that papaya and its extracts have anti-inflammatory properties. Though a few human trials exist.”

    Image Source: Bing Image. License: All Creative Commons

    Beyond Digestion: Heart, Eye, and Bone Benefits

    Papaya’s health benefits don’t end with digestion or enzymes. Due to its antioxidants, such as lycopene and carotene, it may protect your eyesight and even lower the risk of some cancers, including prostate cancer. Its rich fiber may assist your heart by reducing cholesterol levels, and papaya’s potassium controls blood pressure. Additionally, papaya also has vitamin K, which helps in the bone system by enhancing how well your body absorbs calcium and lowering how much you excrete through urine. Medical News Today reports, “Adequate vitamin K intake. Enhances calcium absorption and could lower urinary excretion of calcium.”

    Image Source: Bing Image. License: All Creative Commons

    Some Precautions Before You Start

    For the majority of individuals, consuming papaya is healthy and safe. But papain, either when used as a supplement or applied to the skin, has the potential to induce allergies, particularly in people with a latex allergy. Large doses of papain have the potential to lead to side effects such as soreness in the throat or stomach, low blood pressure, or a fast heart rate. It is also likely to interact with drugs, particularly blood thinners such as warfarin. Therefore, if you’re considering taking papain supplements or products, you should consult your physician first, especially in case you’re allergic or you’re taking any other medications regularly.

    Image Source: Bing Image. License: All Creative Commons

    As Verywell Health recommends, “Papain may interact with warfarin, a blood thinner. Consult with your healthcare provider before using papain.”

    Like this:

    Like Loading…

    Related


    Post navigation



    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Admin
    • Website

    Related Posts

    TRAVIS MANION FOUNDATION & THE MISSION CONTINUES JOIN FORCES TO SERVE MORE VETERANS AND COMMUNITIES

    Senate committee advances Susan Monarez to be Trump’s CDC director

    Recycling, Composting, and Community Well-Being

    Large-Scale ICU Study Evaluates Digital Urine Output Monitoring for Improved Fluid Management

    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Editors Picks

    Microsoft’s Singapore office neither confirms nor denies local layoffs following global job cuts announcement

    Google reveals “material 3 expressive” design – Research Snipers

    Trump’s fast-tracked deal for a copper mine heightens existential fight for Apache

    Top Reviews
    9.1

    Review: Mi 10 Mobile with Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 Mobile Platform

    By Admin
    8.9

    Which LED Lights for Nail Salon Safe? Comparison of Major Brands

    By Admin
    8.9

    Review: Xiaomi’s New Loudspeakers for Hi-fi and Home Cinema Systems

    By Admin
    Sg Latest News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest Vimeo YouTube
    • Get In Touch
    © 2025 SglatestNews. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.