Eating Papaya On Empty Stomach: 10 Health Benefits, Nutritional Facts, Side effects, How To Eat

10 Health Benefits of Papaya, Yellow-Orange Fruit

1. Protects The Heart
   

   Papaya is loaded with fiber, potassium, and vitamin content that keeps heart diseases at bay. To reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, doctors recommend an increase in potassium intake.

   Sometimes, cholesterol in the heart can oxidize and clog and narrow the arteries. However, the chances of this can be reduced by incorporating papaya in the daily diet. Rich source of vitamins B, C, E, beta-carotene and lycopene, papaya can reduce the oxidation of cholesterol within the arteries. When you increase the intake of papaya, the blood flows to the heart thereby, reducing the chances of heart attack and stroke.
   

2. Gives Glowing Skin

   
   Papaya is also known for its exfoliating features, hence it can do wonders for the skin. The papain and antioxidants present in papaya breaks down the surface of dead cells, moisturizes it and clears pores and prevent wrinkles. Not only cosmetic benefits, but papaya also has healing benefits. Moreover, mashed papaya promotes wound healing and prevents infection around burned areas.

   Read More: What to do for blackspots on the skin?

   Not only it works for skin, but it also does wonder for dandruff, blemishes and dry cracked heels. Just cut a few slices of papaya and gently apply it to the affected area.

    

3. Boosts Digestive Health
   

   For people with poor digestion, eating papaya on a daily basis is a must. The healing powers of papaya take off the stress on the digestive system and help to metabolize food faster. As papaya contains an enzyme called papain, this helps to break down food faster. Also, papaya is a fruit that has a high water content that prevents the risk of constipation and promotes a healthy digestive tract.

   Another enzyme present in papaya- chymopapain- treats inflammation and improves metabolism. Additionally, eating papaya on an empty stomach cures several digestive problems such as indigestion, bloating, constipation and upset stomach.

    

4. Great Food For Diabetics

   Diabetic people have to follow various food restrictions, especially related to carbohydrate intake. Fortunately, an ideal food option for people suffering from diabetes is papaya. Its high natural sugar and antioxidants content makes it a good choice. There is enough evidence that suggests that papaya has a hypoglycemic effect on the body which decreases blood glucose levels.

   Read More: Foods that Diabetic people should eat

    

5. Loaded with Anti-ageing benefits

   Want a younger-looking skin? Eating papaya is the way. The yellow-orange colored fruit is abundant in natural alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) that makes the skin look brighter, plumper and smoother. In addition to this, eating a whole papaya will reflect on the skin inside and out. To increase the suppleness and elasticity of the skin, eat papaya regularly as this can hydrate the skin due to its low sodium content.

   Know here: 20 Anti-aging foods to eat on a daily basis
   

6. Reduces Cholesterol Levels

   This orange fleshy fruit helps to reduce the cholesterol level when taken with a fiber-rich diet. For more benefits, add sliced papaya to a bowl of natural porridge as both foods contain fibers that can help to eliminate low-density lipoprotein from the body.
   

7. Lowers The Risk of Cancer
   

   The main cause of various types of cancer is free radicals and oxidative stress. Known for its antioxidants, papaya can help protect the cells from damage and lower the risk of cancer. Lycopene is a type of carotenoid and natural pigment found in vegetables and fruits that has anti-cancer properties.

   In addition to this, papaya also has beta-cryptoxanthin which can prevent lung cancer. Moreover, papaya also stops the growth of breast cancer cells, halt metastasis and normalizes the cell cycle.
   

8. Controls Irregular Periods

   Period cramps are every woman’s nightmare. Fortunately, as papaya is anti-inflammatory in nature, it can alleviate painful period cramps. The carotene in papaya encourages uterine contractions and induce periods. The carotene also increases estrogen hormone production. 

9. Helps in Weight Loss

   Looking to shed those extra kilos? Papaya’s enzyme, papain promotes faster digestion, relieves constipation and promotes hydration of the body. Hence, all these features help to lose weight within a month.

   A study conducted by Austrian scientists on patients suffering from indigestion and gastrointestinal tract dysfunction found that they got relief from symptoms such as bloating, constipation and heartburn immediately.  As papaya can boost metabolic rate, the fats and calories burn out fast.
   

10. Enhances Vision 

    Papaya is rich in nutrients such as lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Hence, it can protect the eyes and prevent eye issues later in life. Similar to carrots, papaya has carotenoids and beta-carotene. These minerals help to fight against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.  

Nutritional Facts of Papaya

The summer fruit is a great source of fiber and very low in calories. Hence, it is a must-have ingredient in your weight-loss regimen.  

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, one small papaya of 157 grams has only 68 calories. 

Here is a table with the nutritional facts of papaya-

Side Effects of Eating Papaya on an Empty Stomach

Risk of abortion

Papaya can induce uterine contractions and lead to unwanted abortion. Hence, pregnant women should avoid papaya, especially unripe ones.

Know here: Should pregnant women eat papaya?

Interferes with food pipe

Excessive eating of papaya can cause the lining of the esophagus to degenerate. Therefore, overconsumption can be a problem. Yes, it’s true that papaya is the best fruit to eat but overeating can interfere with the food pipe. 

Birth defects

The enzyme, Papain can be toxic for babies and even lead to defects. Thus, lactating mothers should reconsider eating papaya as it can affect breastfeeding infants.

Triggers allergies

The latex in the papaya can cause allergic reactions. Hence, papaya can also trigger food allergies.

Lowers Blood sugar

The summer fruit lowers blood sugar. Therefore, people with low BPs should not eat too much papaya. 

Affects fertility

The papaya seeds can lower male infertility. Supposedly, the seeds can lower sperm count and impact sperm mobility.

Toxicity 

Some papayas can turn out to be toxic due to the presence of the compound benzyl isothiocyanate. So, people allergic to papaya should be aware before eating.

How To Eat Papaya

When you go for purchasing papaya, choose for the fresh papayas with reddish-orange skin that are tender to touch. Before cutting them into pieces and eating it, make sure that you wash it properly and remove the seeds. 

As papaya is a versatile fruit, it can be incorporated into many recipes. Some of the simple preparations are-

• Prepare a tropical fruit salad with fresh papaya, pineapple, and mango.
• Squash a few pieces of papaya into a glass of lemonade, ice tea or water for a fruity flavor.
• Prepare salsa with papaya, mango, jalapeno, red peppers. 
• Make papaya smoothies and add some pineapple juice, frozen banana and Greek yogurt. 

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