Pawpaw originates in southern Mexico, and subsequently got introduced in Australia, Hawaii, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Africa, India and all tropical and subtropical regions. It’s grown both commercially and in the home garden by different tribes in the world.
Pawpaw is an incredibly healthy tropical fruit that is loaded with a lot of health benefits that cannot be overlooked. These include, but are not limited to its antioxidant properties that can reduce inflammation, fight disease and help keep you looking young.
Why you must start your day eating Pawpaw before your first meal.
Pawpaw is considered an excellent source of fibre besides being known for being low in calories. This helps reduce weight and even keep cholesterol in check.
A cup of Pawpaw when had on an empty stomach is known to clear the digestive tract of toxins and smoothen the bowel movement due to the presence of digestive enzymes. It is also known to keep away digestive disorders like bloating, upset stomach and constipation among others.
As a rich source of vitamin A and C, papaya helps boost the immune system by removing toxins from the body. This helps keep illnesses and infections away.
To aid you in your weight loss plan, include a cup of Pawpaw in your morning routine. The low-calorie content combined with fibre helps keep one fuller for longer by keeping unnecessary hunger pangs away.
The presence of vitamin C, potassium, antioxidants, and fibre in it helps keep the arteries healthy which promotes blood flow.
The presence of the enzyme papain is said to serve as a natural painkiller that reduces inflammation in the body. The papain in Pawpaw is said to increase the body’s production of cytokines, a group of proteins that help control inflammation.
The fruit also has various benefits for one’s skin. Being one of the primary sources of vitamin C, it contains carotenoids that help protect the skin against free-radical damage, which results in wrinkles and other signs of ageing.
How to eat Pawpaw
Maybe you already knew all this about Pawpaw fruit, but most people don’t know about the health punch that Pawpaw leaves, as well as the seeds, pack in.
The best way to enjoy the fruit is raw when it is ripe. Nevertheless, it can also be added to desserts, salads and smoothies to make for a filling treat.
These super-fruit parts (Leave, fruits and seeds) are loaded with health benefits. Nutrients found in the leaves, the fruit and even the edible black seeds are of health importance.
Some would even scoop out the seeds and eat the fruit by themselves, but they don’t know what they are missing out on the many health benefits they provide. The following are reasons why you should always eat your Pawpaw seeds.
Nutritional value of papaya
THE SEEDS
Pawpaw seeds are known to be a gourmet ingredient which could be used as a healthier alternative to black pepper! The Pawpaw seeds help to fight toxins in the body and support intestinal cleanse, the natural way.
THE LEAVES
It is not necessary you eat Pawpaw leaves off the tree; it can be dried and ground into a fine powder used in teas or as a liquid extract. The leaves help to maintain healthy blood platelets, aid in digestion and boost immunity and energy.
THE FRUIT
The flesh of the Pawpaw contains high amounts of vitamins A, D and E to support your immune system and help you get that youthful, glowing skin we are all after.
The super enzyme, papain, which is only found in Pawpaw, help break down nutrients in the body to speed up metabolism, promoting healthy weight management and a healthy digestive system!
Who should not take Pawpaw
Might be harmful to pregnant women: It contains high latex, which can lead to early labour and uterine contractions, pregnant women are advised to avoid the fruit.
Most health experts advise pregnant women to avoid eating papaya as the papaya seeds, roots and infusion of the leaves can harm the foetus, cause uterine contractions or harm certain membranes vital for foetal development.
Could cause digestive issues: Papaya has high amounts of fibre content; while it may be great for people with constipation, immoderate consumption of it could lead to an unsettled stomach. Besides, the latex found in Pawpaw can irritate the stomach and cause pain and discomfort.
Can interfere with medications: According to the US National Library of Medicine, Pawpaw may interact with blood-thinning medications, which can lead to easy bleeding and bruising.
Known to lower blood sugar significantly: It’s always advisable for diabetics patience on medications to consult their doctor as fermented Pawpaw could lower blood sugar which can be dangerous. It is always best to consult a doctor, especially if you are a diabetic who is on medications.
The Takeaway
Although ripe papaya can be nutritious to pregnant women, unripe papaya can be very dangerous. Some pregnant women still want to eat ripe papaya throughout their pregnancy.
However, some women decide to drop all Pawpaw from their diet till after they give birth, as there are many other sources of nutrition to enjoy safely during pregnancy. The choice is yours!
