Papaya is the fruit of the plant Carica papaya. It is a tropical fruit, well known for providing various health benefits. One of the important health attributes of this fruit is that it supports good digestion and stops acid reflux. Papaya contains a particular enzyme, which is a kind of a protein. It is due to this enzyme papaya contains certain properties that can help your digestive health and cure heartburn.
What makes papaya healthy?
An average sized papaya fruit weighs one or two pounds, though there are a few types that can weigh up to 10 pounds. Papaya consists of numerous round black seeds gathered at the center. A ripe fruit has an orange-colored flesh that is edible. The fruit generally tastes sweet, and is juicy and soft. Papaya is extremely rich in dietary fibers. Fiber is an ingredient that is important for your body to properly absorb nutrients, good digestion and overall health.
Although papaya is very good for health, it is not a high nutrient fruit. This is because it is not extensively rich in protein and fat contents. However, there are other substances and nutrients that are significantly present in papaya, support good health. Papaya contains abundant of antioxidants and bioflavonoids. The amount of beta carotene present in it is higher than in carrots. Apart from this papaya is rich in vitamins A, C, E & K; contains folate, pentatonic acid and minerals: iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, copper, etc.
Use ripe papaya as a nutritional approach to quell your heartburn. It is a natural and effective alternative for reversing acid reflux. The efficacy of papaya in treating heartburn becomes lessened if your reflux problem moves on to the ulceration stage. Due to this reason it is critical to add papaya in your daily diet before letting the acid reflux disease advance too far.
Papaya enzyme and digestion
Papain is a unique substance in the papaya. It is a proteolytic digestive enzyme. Basically proteolytic enzymes act as catalytic agents that break down proteins into their constituents, amino acid. Papain also helps in the digestion of carbohydrates and fats, and supports an overall healthy digestion.
When food is digested smoothly without any disruptions, the ensuing chyme is swiftly taken to the small intestine from stomach. This rapid movement of chyme from the stomach helps to avert acid reflux and any digestive disorders.
You can prevent acid reflux by taking just the papaya enzyme. Papaya enzyme can be found in every part of the papaya starting from the trunk of the tree to the seeds. There are also papaya enzyme tablets available that are chewable and also not much expensive. People who don’t find papaya fruit in your regions can opt for these tablets as an alternative.
Papaya enzyme tablets are a cost effective alternative to the papaya fruit for such people. But remember that this is just an alternative option and not an equally beneficial option because you would miss the nutritional benefits of the fruit. These tablets help with good digestion, but the various minerals, antioxidants, vitamins and other nutrients found in the papaya fruit can provide several added benefits to your health along with digestion. Also, you will miss the aroma and flavor of papaya.
