With all the health journals and advertisements about how kale is the ultimate superfood, papaya has been left in the dust with no recognition of its powerful health benefits. For a fruit as tasty as a papaya to have the health qualities it does is a dream come true for those trying to eat healthy. Here are 10 health benefits that papayas have to offer.

Digestion

Papayas contain papain, an enzyme that plays an important role in digestion. Papaya can also help with constipation and can end diarrhea.

Anti Inflammatory Effects

Papain and chymopapain are unique protein digesting enzymes found in papayas; these enzymes can lower inflammation. Papaya also has antioxidants that aid in its anti-inflammatory effects, including vitamin c and beta-carotene.

Immunity Boost

Eating papaya daily can help prevent against recurrent flus and colds. It is high in vitamin c, vitamin a, folate, and potassium all of which play a role in the immune system.

Colon Cancer Prevention

The fiber from papayas is able to bind to cancer causing toxins in the colon and keep them away from healthy cells. Papaya also contains nutrients that synergistic protection against free radical damage to DNA in the colon, these nutrients include: folate, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and vitamin.

Stomach Aches

Papaya seeds when eaten can help with stomachaches and ringworm infection. The seeds contain antiphrastic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.

Heart Disease

The high antioxidant content in papayas can prevent oxidation of cholesterol; this is beneficial because only when cholesterol has been oxidized is it able to stick to vessel walls and cause risk for heart attacks or strokes.

Skin Benefits

The enzymes in papayas that help with inflammation when consumed are also beneficial when used topically. The papain enzyme breaks down inactive proteins in the skin, papaya can be used as a facial, or an ointment for a burn.

Blood Pressure and Heart Rate

Papaya’s high amounts of potassium and calcium provide controlled hearth rate and blood pressure. It also counteracts the effects of sodium.

Hydration

Papaya makes for a healthy snack choice because it is water rich, full of nutrients and fiber. It has minimal cholesterol and no fat. All the good and none of the bad.

Protection Against Prostate Cancer

Foods high in lycopene are a great addition to the diet to prevent prostate cancer. Studies show that men who include these foods in their diet are 82% less likely to develop prostate cancer compared to men who did not.