Like an avocado, its skin should yield to gentle pressure. When optimally ripe, papaya should be yellow to orange-red in color, although a few green spots are fine.

However, ripeness is key.Īn unripe or overly ripe papaya can taste very different from a perfectly ripe one. Papaya has a unique taste that many people love. Summary Papaya has powerful antioxidant effects, which may reduce oxidative stress and lower your risk of several diseases. The reduction in oxidative stress is attributed to papaya’s lycopene content and ability to remove excess iron, which is known to produce free radicals ( 12, 13). In one study, people with Alzheimer’s given a fermented papaya extract for six months experienced a 40% drop in a biomarker which indicates oxidative damage to DNA - and is also linked to aging and cancer ( 10, 11). Studies note that fermented papaya can reduce oxidative stress in older adults and people with prediabetes, mild hypothyroidism and liver disease ( 5, 6, 7, 8).Īlso, many researchers believe that excessive free radicals in the brain are an important factor in Alzheimer’s disease ( 9). They can promote oxidative stress, which can lead to disease.Īntioxidants, including the carotenoids found in papayas, can neutralize free radicals ( 4). It also contains an enzyme called papain, used to tenderize meat.įree radicals are reactive molecules created during your body’s metabolism. Summary The papaya is a tropical fruit high in vitamins C and A, as well as fiber and healthy plant compounds. What’s more, your body absorbs these beneficial antioxidants better from papayas than other fruits and vegetables ( 3). Papayas also contain healthy antioxidants known as carotenoids - particularly one type called lycopene. Trace amounts of calcium, magnesium and vitamins B1, B3, B5, E and K.One small papaya (152 grams) contains ( 2): The fruit also has many black seeds, which are edible but bitter. The skin is green when unripe and orange when ripe, while the flesh is yellow, orange or red. Papayas are shaped similar to pears and can be up to 20 inches (51 cm) long. However, unripe papaya should always be cooked before eating - especially during pregnancy, as the unripe fruit is high in latex, which can stimulate contractions ( 1). If the papaya is ripe, it can be eaten raw. Because of this, people have used papaya to tenderize meat for thousands of years. Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which can break down the tough protein chains found in muscle meat. It originated in Central America and Southern Mexico but is now grown in many other parts of the world. Papaya is the fruit of the Carica papaya plant.

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