Papaya , papaw, (/pəˈpɔː/) or pawpaw ,
Banane de Prairie, Caricae Papayae Folium, Carica papaya, Carica peltata, Carica posoposa, Chirbhita, Erandachirbhita, Erand Karkati, Green Papaya, Mamaerie, Melonenbaumblaetter, Melon Tree, Papaya Fruit, Papayas, Papaye, Papaye Verte, Papayer, Papita, Paw Paw,
“is the plant Carica papaya, one of the 22 accepted species in the genus Carica of the family Caricaceae.
It is native to the tropics of the Americas, perhaps from southern Mexico and neighboring Central America.
The papaya is a small, sparsely branched tree. The fruit is a large berry about 15–45 cm (5.9–17.7 in) long and 10–30 cm (3.9–11.8 in) in diameter. It is ripe when it feels soft (as soft as a ripe avocado or a bit softer) and its skin has attained an amber to orange hue.
In a 100 gram serving, papaya fruit provides 43 calories and is a significant source of vitamin C (75% of the Daily Value, DV) and a moderate source of folate (10% DV), but otherwise has negligible content of nutrients .
The ripe fruit of the papaya is usually eaten raw, without skin or seeds. The unripe green fruit can be eaten cooked, usually in curries, salads, and stews. Green papaya is used in Southeast Asian cooking, both raw and cooked. Papayas have a relatively high amount of pectin, which can be used to make jellies. The black seeds of the papaya are sometimes ground and used as a substitute for black pepper.
Both green papaya fruit and the tree's latex are rich in papain, a protease used for tenderizing meat and other proteins, as practiced currently by indigenous Americans and people of the Caribbean region. It is now included as a component in some powdered meat tenderizers.
Note of caution: Do NOT eat an unripe or semiripe papaya when you’re pregnant, as it could cause contractions (Excerpt from research:” the unripe or semi-ripe papaya (which contains high concentration of the latex that produces marked uterine contractions) could be unsafe in pregnancy. “) *see research link 12144723
Antiviral against Dengue fever (Excerpt from research:” aqueous extract of C. papaya leaves was administered to patient infected with Dengue fever twice daily i.e. morning and evening for five consecutive days. From the patient feelings and blood reports it showed that Carica papaya leaves aqueous extract exhibited potential activity against Dengue fever. “) *see research link PMC3614241/ , PMC4900016/ , PMC4071726/
Increases platelets (blood clot cells) & red blood cells (Excerpt from research:” the platelet count in the test group started to increase significantly from Day 3. Fresh C. papaya leaf extract significantly increased the platelet and RBC counts in the test group . “) *see research link PMC3757281/ , 26910599
Inhibits red blood cells from rupturing (hemolysis) * see research link PMC3510871/
Reduces damage caused by Acrylamide : Cigarette smoking is a major acrylamide source. acrylamide can be found in baked and fried starchy foods, such as potato chips, breads, and cookies. *see research link PMC3508853/
Antibacterial , seed extract *see research link 15040064
Safe antifertility properties , extract of the seeds was used *in male rats and dogs *see research link 16372375, 22030338
Anti stomach ulcer (caused by alcohol) *see research link 20041780, 19566009
Anticancer Excerpt from research: (“We observed significant growth inhibitory activity of the CP (Carica Papaya) extract on tumor cell lines.” *see research link 19961915 , 23212988
Anti-diabetes , reduces high blood sugar levels (Excerpt from research:” This study showed that the C. papaya leaf aqueous extract significantly diminished blood glucose levels “) *see research link PMC3371561/ , PMC3551835/
Research and tips on Papaya:
