Papaya is an exotic fruit that is increasingly found on the shelves of our stores. Despite this, many look at her with caution and do not even imagine what can be done with tropical fruits. But the beneficial properties of papaya have been known since ancient times, due to which it has found wide application in treatment, cooking and cosmetology.

Calorie content and chemical composition of papaya

Tropical fruit is very popular, as it contains most of the elements from the periodic table, due to which it can safely be called a "vitamin bomb." In papaya, about 68% of the daily intake of vitamin C, which takes an active part in the protective functions of the body.

The composition of an exotic fruit has the following components:

  • vitamins - A, B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, B9, C, E, PP, K, lutein, lycopene;
  • macro and trace elements - iron, potassium, zinc, copper, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, magnesium, manganese, selenium;
  • amino acids - phenylalanine, glycine, arginine, tizorin, valine, serine, histidine, glutamic acid, isoleucine, aspartic acid, leucine, alanine, lysine, methionine, tryptophan, threonine;
  • fatty acids - myristic, linolenic, linoleic, omega-6, lauric, oleic, palmitoleic, palmitic, omega-3, stearic;
  • digestible carbohydrates - mono and disaccharides, fructose, glucose;
  • alimentary fiber;
  • water;
  • ash.

For 43 kcal of the product, the ratio W * B * Y is 0.26 * 0.47 * 11.

Useful properties for the body

The positive effect on the body of an exotic fruit is as follows:

  1. Laxative property - helps fight even with chronic constipation.
  2. Retinin, which is part of the composition, contributes to a beautiful tan.
  3. It fights intestinal parasites, in particular, eliminates amoeba, which lead to chronic diarrhea.
  4. High levels of vitamin C help strengthen immunity.
  5. An enzyme called papain promotes good digestion, reduces pain and inflammation in the stomach. In addition, it speeds up the metabolism and helps break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
  6. Providing a calming and antiseptic effect on the intestines, the fruit is indispensable for colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.
  7. Papaya juice allows you to get rid of defects on the skin, and also accompanies the elimination of toxins and the body.
  8. A large amount of fiber and low calorie allow you to eat fruit during a diet.

No less useful are the seeds of the plant. First of all, they are used as an anthelmintic, help in the treatment of cirrhosis. They are shown during poisoning, as they remove harmful toxins from the body. Eating seeds on an empty stomach daily helps to improve the condition of the skin.

What is fruit useful for women

Papaya pulp contains a significant amount of folic acid, which is especially necessary during pregnancy. It is the prevention of anemia and regulates the flow of blood to the uterus. The lack of this component can adversely affect the nervous system of the crumbs.

It is believed that while carrying a baby it is worth refraining from eating fruit, because it contains pepsin, which can harm the body. However, no medical studies have confirmed this information. You can eat papaya, just do not abuse it.

The fruit has been actively used for cosmetology and is able to maintain the natural beauty of women. The skin remains smooth, healthy and velvety.

Benefits for men

No less than the benefits of eating fruit for men. It helps to avoid stressful situations, gives vitality. Fruit is advised to eat if there are problems with prostatitis and hemorrhoids. For the first, it is generally useful, and in order to get rid of the disease it is advised to eat a small portion of papaya daily.

Papaya during pregnancy

During the period of carrying the baby, the use of papaya can bring both benefits and harm.

The positive effects are as follows:

  • A high content of vitamins A, C and E, which in turn are an antioxidant of natural origin and are responsible for the elastic characteristics of the skin.
  • Ripe fruits contain calcium, potassium, and folic acid.
  • The fruit has a beneficial effect on vision.
  • Helps to remove toxic accumulations, poisons and harmful substances from the body of a pregnant woman in a natural way.
  • Fight against anemia due to iron content.
  • Helps prevent stretch marks and scars.

Only green unripe fruits can have a negative effect on the body:

  • In the juice of such papaya there is pepsin, which in turn leads to a reduction in the uterus. This can cause premature birth or miscarriage.
  • Papaya can cause allergies, so you need to use it with a minimum dose.

Papaya in cooking: how to clean, how to eat and with what

It is best to eat the fruits of an exotic tree fresh, it is in this form that all their useful components are completely preserved. Any heat treatment leads to the fact that some of the useful elements are lost. The pulp is used for salads, cooking fresh.

From the fruits you can make jam, compote, add them to ice cream. Some chefs add a few drops of papaya juice during the preparation of soups, making the meat more tender.

Dried papaya has almost the same beneficial properties as fresh. By harvesting fruit in season, you can replenish your body with vitamins throughout the year. It can perfectly replace harmful sweets or cakes.The daily use of candied fruits contributes to a good mood, increase resistance to stress, is a good prevention of depression.

Only pulp of fruit is used in food. Therefore, before proceeding to the meal, it must be cleaned. The process is reminiscent of cutting melons. Papaya is cut into two parts, after which the seeds are removed from it. Then it is cut into smaller pieces, from which the peel is removed.

For cooking, the fruit is unique, as it can be combined with many products. It can be meat, and vegetables, and desserts. As already noted, papaya is allowed to eat raw, in addition, it is fried, cooked and baked. It is not uncommon to cook fruit on an open fire.

Application in traditional medicine

Before you start using papaya in folk medicine, you must strictly adhere to all dosages, since the fruit is exotic and unusual for our body.

  1. Constipation - Every day you need to eat about 0.2 kg of fruit. It is allowed in fresh and boiled form.
  2. Gastritis. Combine 300 grams of chopped fruits and a glass of yogurt, add a little cinnamon. All this is thoroughly mixed and eaten throughout the day.
  3. Cirrhosis. Grind 5 dry seeds of the fruit and combine them with a teaspoon of lemon juice. Consume twice a day for a month.
  4. Ulcerative colitis. Eat 7 fruit seeds on an empty stomach. Repeat every 3 hours.

The use of fruit in cosmetology

To date, in cosmetology, oil and papaya extract, as well as papain secreted by the fruit, have been actively used.

Cosmetics have the following effects:

  1. Toning and moisturizing the skin.
  2. Skin regeneration.
  3. Give skin elasticity, smooth wrinkles.
  4. Remove toxins.
  5. They struggle with age spots, whiten the skin.
  6. Anti-cellulite effect.

There are also papaya-based hair care products. They look after curls and help restore their structure. Oil gives the strands a natural shine, makes them more docile.

Contraindications

Despite the fact that the fruit has such a rich vitamin composition, there are still situations when it is advisable to refuse from its use:

  • Individual intolerance, allergic reactions.
  • With extreme caution, you need to eat papaya during pregnancy.
  • During lactation, the fruit can provoke an upset stomach in the baby.
  • Only ripe fruits should be eaten fresh. Greens are suitable for cooking.

Do not abuse papaya, begin to get acquainted with a tropical fruit with a small amount. Unripe fruits contain toxic substances that can cause excessive poisoning.

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