Papaya Prevents Cancer And Improves Digestion, According to Popular Health Site Experts
Online, May 2, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Christopher Columbus called it the fruit of the angels. Papaya, also known as papaw or pawpaw, is a tropical tree-like plant that bears sweet edible fruit. There are two distinct types of papayas. When ripe, one has a reddish or orangish flesh, and the other one has a yellowish flesh.
Whether ripe or unripe, the fruit is a popular choice for many. It can be used in a variety of ways. Papayas can be consumed as is or added to salads and many other recipes. Cool papaya is especially refreshing during the summer.
Like the coconut, almost all parts of the papaya plant can be utilized. The fruits are used as food -- eaten raw or cooked -- and as medicine. In some Asian countries, the young leaves are steamed and eaten. Tea made from papaya leaves are also taken as a malaria remedy. Even the seeds are edible. These are sometimes ground as used as pepper substitute since they have a spicy and peppery taste. Because of its ability to break down meat fibers, latex from the plant is used for tenderizing meat and proteins. The stem and bark can also be used to make rope.
Inexpensive and readily available, this tasty fruit is rich in vitamins A and C. It is also a source of folate, potassium, and dietary fiber as well as vitamins E and K. Energize.com, a website dedicated to providing information on healthy and happy living, shares some of the health benefits of papaya in one of its articles.
"Papayas are rich in vitamin A, C, E, and Beta-carotene. These are some of the most powerful antioxidants which play a big role in combating harmful cells that can cause cancer," Energize.com shares. Not only is this fruit delicious, it also helps prevent cancer.
Papaya also contains enzymes that helps improve digestion. This vitamin C-packed fruit also helps prevent premature skin aging because of its ability to restore collagen. The nutrients found in papaya also help prevent oxidation of cholesterol. Oxidation enables cholesterol to build up in the walls of the blood vessels. Consequently, papaya helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.
With all the health benefits of papaya, it surely deserves to be called "the fruit of the angels."
Know more about the health benefits of papaya at Energize.com. Those interested in health and wellness topics should also browse the website for the latest news.
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