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