INTRODUCTION:

Papaya, a tropical fruit was reputably called "the fruit of the angels" by Christopher Columbus. In the 20th century, papayas were brought to the United States and have been cultivated in Hawaii, the major U.S. producer since the 1920s.

Today, the largest commercial producers of papayas include the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

• Family: Caricaceae

• Genus: Carica

• Species: papaya

• Scientific Name: Carica Papaya

• Origin – Central America and Southern Mexico

Also knows as:

• Papita, Papeeta, Papiitaa, paw-paw

Papaya, fresh Calories: 119 1.00 medium 276.00 grams
Nutrient	Amount	DRI/ DV (%)	Nutrient Density	World's Healthiest Foods Rating
Vitamin C	168.08 mg	224	34.0	Excellent
Folate	102.12 mcg	26	3.9	Very good
Fiber	4.69 g	19	2.8	Good
Vitamin A	131.10 mcg RAE	15	2.2	Good
Magnesium	57.96 mg	14	2.2	Good
Potassium	502.32 mg	14	2.2	Good
Copper	0.12 mg	13	2.0	Good
Pantothenic acid	0.53 mg	11	1.6	Good

Proteolytic enzyme extracted from latex are used as:

• Meat tenderizer

• Cosmetics

• Leather industry

• Medicinal uses

In Antioxidants and Abundant in Bioflavonoids –Rich

Skin Benefits:

• Moisturizes Skin

• Clears Pigmentation

• Reduces Wrinkles

• Reduces Under-Eye Dark Circles

• Cures Eczema and Psoriasis

• Treats Melasma

• Removes Tan

• Controls Acne Breakout

Hair Benefits of Papaya:

· Stimulates Hair Growth

· Controls Dandruff

· Conditions Hair

Health Benefits of Papaya:

1. Promotes Cardiovascular Health:

This exotic fruit is rich in vitamins A and C. They help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, which stops it from clogging the blood vessels. This helps reduce the risk of heart attacks.

2. Prevents Macular Degeneration:

Papayas contain vitamin A and flavonoids like beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, and lutein. These keep the mucus membranes in the eyes healthy and protect them from damage.

3. Boosts Immunity:

Papaya is rich in antioxidants that scavenge the free radicals that have a negative impact on your immune system. This boosts your immunity.

4. Heals Wounds:

Papaya seeds show significant antimicrobial activity.

5. Aids Digestion

6. Has Anticancer Effects and Prevents Arthritis:

Papaya seeds are rich in flavonoids that can reduce the risk of cancer by arresting the development of cancerous cells. Arthritis is a painful disorder that causes inflammation in the joints.

7 Reduce Inflammation in The Lungs:

Drink a glass of papaya juice if you experience bouts of coughing.

8 Treats Throat Disorders:

When green papaya juice is mixed with honey, it can help reduce the inflammation of tonsils.

9. Treatment for Ringworm and Helps in Muscle Tissue Renewal:

Papaya milk not only revitalizes body but also helps in the renewal of muscle tissues.

10 Activates Human Growth Hormones:

Dried papaya nourishes the endocrine system and promotes the production of arginine in the body. These hormones play a key role in rebuilding bones, muscles, skin, and liver cells, and promote overall cell rejuvenation.

11 Helps Ease Menstrual Pain and Helps Reduce Stress:

Several studies have shown that our body needs about 200 mg of vitamin C to regulate the flow of stress hormones, and one large papaya contains a whopping 476 mg vitamin C!

12 Aids Weight Loss and Good for Diabetics:

100 grams of papaya contains only 43 calories – making it an ideal weight loss food. Papaya can be an amazing option for those who have diabetes since it is low in sugar (only 8.3 grams in a cup of diced papaya).

13 Treats Piles and Cures Vitiligo:

· Having papayas on a regular basis will soothe the swollen blood vessels in that area, offering relief from those painful hemorrhoids.

· Papaya juice aids the internal healing of vitiligo.

14. Prevents Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):

Papayas contain 12% fiber, with 60% of it being soluble fiber. This soluble fiber helps prevent the symptoms of IBS.

15. Helps Increase Platelet Count:

Consuming papaya and papaya leaf juice can help increase the platelet count of those suffering from dengue fever.

Use papaya plant in the following ways to cure dengue:

· Have papaya salad, or have a glass of fresh papaya juice with a dash of lemon juice twice or thrice a day.

· Extract fresh juice from papaya leaves using a mortar and pestle. Drink two tablespoons of it twice a day for speedy recovery.

16. Keeps Blood Pressure under Control

17. Used for Birth Control

Papaya fruit and seeds have been used as a form of birth control

18. Good for Babies

Papaya assists proper bowel movement and keeps babies healthy and happy. It is usually introduced to infants when they are 7 to 8 months old.

19. Good for Pregnant Women

Papaya is considered to be good for pregnant ladies due to its high vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate content, but only when taken in moderate quantities

20. Treats Gout

Papaya is a tried and trusted remedy to treat gout. Papain is an enzyme found in papaya that is a natural anti-inflammatory agent.

21. Aids Breast Enlargement and helps in lactation

Sounds impossible, but papaya is one of the trusted natural methods for breast enlargement.

CONCLUSION:

Many research studies have been conducted to prove all the benefits of Papaya fruit. The myth that papaya is dangerous during pregnancy is due to the latex present in unripe papaya but ripened papaya is very useful for pregnant mothers.

Received on 16.05.2018 Modified on 18.07.2018

Int. J. of Advances in Nur. Management. 2019; 7(2):165-166.

DOI: 10.5958/2454-2652.2019.00040.4