Papaya is one of the most nutrient dense and beneficial fruits around! Nicknamed 'fruit of the angels', almost every part of this tropical treasure holds an abundance of healing properties.
Papaya (also known as papaw or pawpaw) is likely be native to Central America and the northern regions of South America. Today however, papaya can be found in many tropical countries and the warmest parts of the subtropics around the world and are widely produced in India, Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria and Mexico.
Refreshing, sweet and delicate in flavour, papayas are a versatile fruit that, in their different levels of ripeness, are often used in smoothies, desserts and salads. As the fruit ripens, its skin will change from green to a full yellow or orange-yellow colour, sometimes with green patches.
Papayas pack an impressive amount of medicinal benefits and this also extends to its seeds and leaves, which are often overlooked.
“So what are these oh so amazing benefits of papaya and how do you use the whole fruit?” I hear you ask... Well let's break it down!
Health Benefits of Papaya
Papayas boast impressive antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory properties which contribute to helping the body fight infections and recover from injuries.
They are rich in antioxidants which have been known to help protect cells from damage and lower the risk of cancer as well as playing a protective role in eye health - boosted by its high levels of Vitamin A.
Along with Vitamin A, papayas are packed with Vitamin C and Vitamin E - all of which contribute to tighter, brighter, clearer, more rejuvenated skin and healthier hair.
As papayas are jam-packed with nutrients, namely the 200% of the recommended Vitamin C, they provide a super boost to the immune system, helping your body fight off all types of illnesses.
With its high water and fibre content, as well as containing numerous enzymes, papaya is also used to improve digestion and can help to regulate bowel movements. They’re also known to aid weight loss.
The potassium present in papayas is beneficial in supporting kidney health.
Though a sweet fruit, papayas are surprisingly great for people with diabetes or those who want to reduce the risks of getting it.
Papaya is low in sugar and long term can help curb sweet cravings, helping to maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
How to Eat Papaya Fruit
Most commonly, papaya is eaten fresh and ripe. Mature papayas are a beautifully tender, creamy orange-fleshed and sweet, making them a great to eat as is or as an addition to fruit salads, smoothies and desserts. You'll want to remove the seeds (but save these!) and discard the skin. Ripe papaya is particularly delicious when combined with other tropical fruits such as mango, pineapple and banana. As papayas are very low in acid, adding a hit of fresh lime juice helps to balance flavours and brings out some of the more subtle tastes of the fruit.
It's recommended to eat papaya an hour before or after meals to aid in healthy digestion and help your body run smoothly.
Green Papaya
You can also eat young papaya, otherwise known as green papaya, which is often prepared by shredding and used as a base for salads, frequently found in Southeast Asian cooking. Green papaya serves as a bland backdrop (similar to that of a cucumber) for powerful flavours like chilli, lime and garlic. Though they are the same fruit, ripe papaya and green papaya are very different in taste, texture, and appearance!
Health Benefits of Papaya Seeds
When you cut open a papaya you’ll find a cluster of shiny black seeds in the centre. These seeds are often discarded but in fact they are packed with impressive health benefits too!
This includes strong antibacterial and anti-parasite properties which make them powerful in removing harmful microorganisms in your intestinal tract and contributing to a healthy digestive system. They're often used to as a natural remedy for killing intestinal parasites. Papaya seeds are said to also helpful in relieving food poisoning. Other benefits include anti-inflammatory properties, aids in detoxification of the liver, protection of kidneys and reducing fever. Side effects are possible in high doses, but this can easily be avoided by keeping your intake moderate.
How to Eat Papaya Seeds
Papaya seeds are crunchy to the bite with a strong, bitter flavour similar to mustard seeds or black peppercorns and are similarly best when dried and ground. To dry you can place them in a sunny spot in your kitchen to do so naturally or a quicker drying method is to pop them in the oven under very low heat. Once the seeds are completely dried, you can grind them up (using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle) then store in a dark, humidity free place.
These dried papaya seeds can be used as a substitute for ground black pepper in seasonings and salad dressings.
Papaya seeds are very powerful and too much at once can cause digestive upsets so it's recommended when first eating to start off slowly and gradually build up tolerance, try starting with a dose of 1/4tsp and working up to 1tsp.
Papaya Leaves
Like the fruit and seeds, papaya leaves have incredible nutritional properties that are highly effective in promoting an all round healthier body and glowing, radiant skin. This includes high amounts of vitamins A, C, E, K, and B and minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium magnesium and iron. It also contains enzymes which aid digestion and prevent bloating and strong alkaloid compounds that are said to work effectively against fighting dandruff and balding. Typically papaya leaves are consumed as a juice or tea and are often used for detoxification, cleansing and weight loss. Papaya leaf is also often used to treat dengue fever and found to possess anti-malarial properties as well. In addition, papaya leaves are said to work wonders to ease the menstrual flow and reduce symptoms of PMS - It's potent healing properties can help to balance hormones and regulate menstruation cycles.
So there you have it! Papaya - one of the most super of superfoods and a real tropical treat!