Papaya Wonder Food

Did you know that eating Papaya helps to restore your eyes from exposure to blue light rays and also protects against UV rays?.

In this digital age we are living in, protecting our sight should be in our list of highest priorities. Who would have thought that the delicious Papaya would do that?!. Did you know this fact?.

Papaya is a well known tropical fruit. It is said to have come from Central America. The entire plant is edible. The leaves are eaten raw as a natural treatment to fight mosquito borne diseases like dengue, chikungunya and zika. The leaves are also used as a natural insecticide against the proliferation of mosquito larvae.

The flowers and the inner soft center of the Papaya bark are edible too. The roots can also be eaten after boiled.

Papaya is very well known for its amazing super powerful digestive enzymes. The health and nutrition super Gurus and the vegan community, all recommend using Papaya's digestive enzymes to restore the lining and maintain a well balanced bacterial flora in the digestive system. Papaya's restorative effects are so well known, that even people having cirrhosis are recommended to eat Papaya to restore their liver. These enzymes found in papaya improve digestion by breaking down proteins into individual amino acids. Undigested proteins can lead to gastrointestinal problems and flatulence which can cause an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the colon, and who wants that?!. But another astonishing blessing of the enzymes found in Papaya is that its proteolytic enzymes can digest the fibrin protein layer of cancer cells that usually surrounds and protects them. This can leave the cancerous cells more susceptible to the body's immune response and hinder their growth, inhibiting the cancer cells from spreading and multiplying.

But our humble Papaya, has so much more to offer under its sleeve. It not only possesses amazing super powers to restore digestion and declare war to cancer, it also contains two phytonutrients called lutein and zeaxanthin that concentrate in the macular region of our eyes where they can protect the eyes from UV rays exposure.

As if that was not good enough, the regular intake of these phytonutrients prevents the decay and effects of age occurring eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma.

The fiber found in papaya can also lower undesirable LDL levels in the blood by inhibiting its absorption during digestion.

Increasing intake of powerful antioxidants and vitamins found in papaya can improve blood flow and reduce the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.

Choline is another important and versatile nutrient found in papayas that aids our bodies in sleep, muscle movement, learning, and memory. It also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, assists in the absorption of fat, and reduces chronic inflammation.

Believe it or not, Papaya is also great for hair because it contains vitamin A, a nutrient required for sebum production, which keeps hair moisturized. Vitamin A is also necessary for the growth of all bodily tissues, including skin and hair. Adequate intake of vitamin C, which papaya can provide, is needed for the building and maintenance of collagen which provides structure to the skin.

Isn't it amazing all that Papaya can benefit our bodies with?!. I like the dark red papaya. Eating the flesh of the fruit with its seeds is like giving your body an internal spa, cleansing, detoxifying and giving a sensation of satiation and contentment from having enjoyed the sweetness of this fruit. For some people the seeds are too spicy. Start introducing them slowly. The seeds can be air dried and used as a condiments/seasoning in most regular dishes. Nature's wonders do not stop to amaze me!.

Is there an unusual way you like to eat your Papaya?, Do you have a Papaya family dessert?. In Venezuela, we make a dessert with green papaya, it taste deliciously sweet!.

Here you can see a big Papaya I was given to in the island of St. Vincent. It was huge, I could hold it as a baby. With so many amazing benefits, I guess the bigger the Papaya, the better!.