Papaya is so famous for its health benefits that it is called the “fruit of long life”.
It is listed as oneLongevity superfoodsThey eat in blue zones – places around the world where people live unusually long and healthy lives.
Headlines They named it “the #1 fruit eaten by the oldest people in the world.”
Pearl Taylor, a 103-year-old woman who lives independently in Dayton, Ohio and offers life advice on TikTok, says she eats papaya every morning.
“More people need to learn about papaya.” She tOld TODAY.com. “Papaya is a very good fruit.”
What is papaya?
Papaya is a tropical fruit with bright yellow or orange flesh and black seeds. The Florida Department of Agriculture says it has a “pleasant, sweet flavor with a pleasant aroma and juicy texture.”
It has a buttery, milky texture suitable for smoothies American Heart Association It increases.
In the US, papaya is grown in Hawaii, California, Texas and Florida, but most of the fruit sold in stores is imported from Mexico, according to the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security.
Papaya diet
A cup of papaya cut into small pieces contains the following US Department of Agriculture:
Papaya has no cholesterol and contains less than 1 gram of fat or protein per serving.
It is packed with nutrients including magnesium, potassium, folate, lycopene and vitamins A, C, E and K. It also contains some iron and calcium.
What are the benefits of eating papaya?
“Papaya is a great choice of fruits,” says Maya Feller, a nutritionist based in Brooklyn and a nutritionist.Eating from our roots: 80+ healthy homemade favorites from cultures around the worldHe said.
“Papaya is a great source of variety. phenolic compoundsflavonoids,” Feller told TODAY.com, referring to bioactive molecules in plants that are believed to be anti-inflammatory and beneficial to human health.
“They have excellent antioxidant activity… Antioxidants help neutralize the effects of free radical damage.
Free radicals They are harmful particles that are created when the body carries out normal processes that are necessary for life. This damage can lead to inflammation and increase the risk of cancer and other diseases. National Cancer Institute notesBut antibiotics can protect cells from it.
Papaya’s characteristic bright yellow or orange color is the result of carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, a chemical that helps form vitamin A, which acts as an antioxidant, Feller notes.
Another carotenoid in papaya is lycopene, which is said to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. American Heart Association.
Carotenoids may be protective against cancer. Studies have been found. It is more bioavailable – better absorbed and used by the body – than papaya in humans than tomatoes and carrots. A study was found.
The fruit contains fiber, which supports intestinal health It helps to reduce cholesterol levels.
It is rich in potassium, which can Low blood pressure And “it can actually have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health,” Feller added.
It’s also thought to have anti-diabetic activity in people who eat papaya because of how the fruit affects glucose and insulin responses, she said.
Is papaya considered a superfood?
Feller says she doesn’t call anything a superfood.
“All products have amazing properties and work best when combined and widely used. This means there are many types of plants in the human diet,” she said.
“If we tell them that papaya is a superfood, even if they all switch to eating it, they used to eat oranges, lemons, limes, kiwis, bananas, pineapples and only eat papayas, which means they lose the rest. ingredients in those other foods”.
Is it safe to eat papaya every day?
Yes, says Feller. Her family is Afro-Caribbean – they eat every day and they all have great labs, she added.
But, she notes, it also depends on how people supplement their diet.
“If there’s a papaya in your area and it’s ripe and delicious, look for it.”
Is it safe to eat papaya seeds?
People often choose to extract the seeds — they’re a little bitter, peppery and “not too sweet,” Feller explains.
But they are edible and nutritious, she added. Eating dried papaya seeds can eliminate intestinal parasites in humans. A study has shown.
Dangers of papaya
Unripe papaya contains enzymes that break down proteins, carbohydrates and fats, which can damage the esophagus or fetus if eaten by a pregnant woman, he says. National Library of Medicine.
Ripe fruit It does not contain enzymes.
Unripe papaya contains latex and may cause a reaction in people with latex allergies, the agency warns.
How to choose papaya
The fruit can be found in stores all year round, but it is at its peak in summer and early autumn. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advises.
Choose small papayas – they taste better than large ones – those with skin that has started to turn from green to yellow or orange or has already reached its maximum color. Martha Stewart’s website recommends it..
He says papaya is ripe when it is soft and smells “good and a little musty.”
This article was originally published by TODAY.com