{"id":3599,"date":"2016-08-02T17:14:11","date_gmt":"2016-08-02T17:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=3599"},"modified":"2024-12-19T22:20:40","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T22:20:40","slug":"benefits-of-papaya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/benefits-of-papaya\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Reasons to Add Papaya to Your Diet Right Now (& A Papaya Smoothie Recipe to Get Your Fix )"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s no secret that eating fruit has some major health benefits. Cherries<\/a>, with their high melatonin and magnesium content, help balance our hormones<\/a>. Oranges and strawberries are high in vitamin C, which helps decrease our stress levels<\/a>. But there\u2019s one fruit in particular that boasts several different health benefits and tends to be under the radar: Papaya. This tropical fruit can help improve digestion<\/a>, relieve constipation, support your immunity, and even support glowing skin.<\/p>\n\n\n

Read on to learn five important papaya benefits\u2014from fighting bloating<\/a> to brightening skin. We also included a delicious papaya smoothie<\/a> recipe that helps relieve bloating and constipation.<\/p>\n\n\n

5 <\/strong>Papaya Health Benefits<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Fresh<\/figure>\n\n\n

From digestive health to skin health, here are five health benefits of eating papaya you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n

1. Papaya Can Help Relieve Bloating<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Let\u2019s face it: Bloating is a serious pain. But papaya is an extremely effective natural remedy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

That’s because papayas contain papain, aka the de-bloating digestive enzyme<\/a>. Papain helps you break down fiber<\/a> and protein<\/a> so that it’s easier to digest. This is particularly helpful the day after those yummy but bloat-inducing, sodium-heavy meals.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

Fun fact:<\/strong> HUM Nutrition’s Flatter Me<\/a> supplement uses a blend of papain and other digestive enzymes designed to ease belly bloat and soothe digestion on days you don’t have papaya on-hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Flatter Me<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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2. Papaya Supports a Healthy Immune System\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Papayas are a rich source of vitamin C. In fact, they’re almost as concentrated in the immunity-boosting vitamin as oranges. A single cup of papaya contains 88 milligrams of vitamin C<\/a>. That’s 98 percent of your daily value! (By contrast, the same amount of orange slices contains about 95 milligrams of vitamin C, or 106 percent of your daily value.)<\/p>\n\n\n

Why does this matter? Vitamin C is a huge support to your immune system<\/a>. It stimulates the production of antibodies, which gives your immune system<\/a> a boost and helps fight infection. Vitamin C also supports the body’s natural collagen production and fights off damaging free radicals<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

3. Papaya Helps You Poop<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Good news for those who struggle with constipation or regular bowel movements: Papaya can help you poop. Why does papaya make you poop? There are many reasons why papaya is a popular natural remedy for constipation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

First, papayas are an excellent source of fiber. While our bodies do not actually digest fiber, it helps feed the good bacteria in our microbiomes for better digestion and well-being. It also helps bulk up our stools for healthy elimination of toxins<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

And papayas are extremely high in vitamin C, which can also help soften your stool. In one study<\/a>, researchers found that children who struggled with constipation has low levels of dietary fiber and micronutrients, including vitamin C.<\/p>\n\n\n

Finally, the papain in papayas also helps move things along by breaking down fiber and protein so they move more easily through the digestive tract.<\/p>\n\n\n

4. Papaya Supports Eye and Skin Health<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

Along with vitamin C, papaya is high in beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that keeps your skin and eyes healthy. While carrots and tomatoes are popular produce selections when it comes to beta-carotene, papayas are also an excellent source<\/p>\n\n\n

In a study published in the<\/a> British Journal of of Nutrition, <\/em>researchers report that the carotenoids in papaya are actually more bio-available to humans than those found in carrots and tomatoes.<\/p>\n\n\n

For even better bio-availability and absorption of beta-carotenes, try pairing papaya with a healthy fat<\/a> (such as avocado or olive oil).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Deficiency in This Vitamin Might Be the Cause of Your Acne Breakouts<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/a><\/article>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

5. Papaya Can Exfoliate Skin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

In addition to its many digestive benefits, papaya also has benefits for the skin when applied topically.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Research<\/a> has found that papaya has often been used to treat skin ailments because it produces phytochemicals (AKA highly effective and efficient antioxidants), which help to neutralize skin-damaging free radicals.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Additionally, the combination of papain and other fruit enzymes makes it a natural exfoliator. Using papaya in a DIY mask will help remove dead skin cells for more radiant skin and clear pores. The fruit also contains citric and malic acids which are proven ingredients for treating hyperpigmentation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

To try it a papaya mask at home, simply mash up a quarter cup of papaya and add milk or honey to the fruit to create a paste. Apply it to your face and neck and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse. Use once a week for best results.<\/p>\n\n\n

Papaya Smoothie Recipe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Papaya<\/figure>\n\n\n

This papaya smoothie’s benefits are nearly endless: You get all of the incredible health benefits from the papaya fruit plus extra hydration thanks to coconut water\u2014all blended in a quick, portable, delicious snack.\u00a0Here’s a simple, satisfying papaya smoothie that will tackle bloat and keep your digestion moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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De-Bloating Tropical Smoothie<\/h2>\n\t\n\t\n\t
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PREP
5 min<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
COOK
1 min<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
SERVES
1<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t
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INGREDIENTS<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t