Papaya Benefits: 14 Surprising Health, Skin & Hair Advantages

A fruit native to South America, papaya, with its buttery consistency and sweet taste, has attained widespread popularity. Monikered “Fruit of the Angels” by Christopher Columbus, papaya is also known as ‘Papita‘ in Hindi, ‘Boppayi Pandu‘ in Telugu, ‘Pappali‘ in Tamil, ‘Omakaya‘ in Malayalam, ‘Pappayi Hannu‘ in Kannada, ‘Papaiya‘ in Gujarati, ‘Papai‘ in Marathi, ‘Papita‘ in Bengali. Rich in antioxidants and nutrients, papaya has numerous benefits to offer for your skin, hair, and health.

Why Papaya Is Great For You

Skin Benefits

1. Moisturizes Skin
2. Clears Pigmentation
3. Reduces Wrinkles

Hair Benefits

4. Helps Hair Grow
5. Controls Dandruff
6. Conditions Hair

Health Benefits

7. Promotes Cardiovascular Health
8. Improves Eyesight
9. Boosts Immunity
10. Heals Wounds
11. Aids Digestion
12. Has Anticancer Effects
13. Prevents Arthritis

Skin Benefits

1. Moisturizes Skin

Papaya can be a boon for those with dry skin. Using a papaya face pack can make your skin supple and soft.

What You Need

• 1 tablespoon mashed papaya
• 1 teaspoon honey

What You Have To Do

1. Mix the papaya and the honey.
2. Apply the mask to your face. Keep it on for 30 minutes.
3. Rinse with cold water.

Why This Works

The enzymes present in papaya remove all traces of dry and flaky skin and leave it hydrated (1).

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2. Clears Pigmentation

If a bout of acne has left you with scars, or if you are suffering from uneven pigmentation, papaya can come to your rescue.

What You Need

• 1 tablespoon papaya juice
• Cotton balls

What You Have To Do

1. Soak the cotton balls in the papaya juice.
2. Apply this to the affected areas.
3. Keep it on for 15 minutes and rinse with cold water.

Why This Works

Papaya has skin lightening properties that help clear blemishes and pigmentation (2).

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3. Reduces Wrinkles

Papaya peel can help reduce the signs of aging. Some claim it to be as effective as Retin-A.

What You Need

• Papaya peel

What You Have To Do

1. Rub the papaya peel all over your face and neck.
2. After 20 minutes, rinse with cold water.

Why This Works

Papaya peel contains enzymes that remove dead cells from the surface of the skin (3). This helps remove wrinkles and age spots.

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Hair Benefits

4. Helps Hair Grow

One of the little-known benefits of papaya is that it can stimulate hair growth.

Why This Works

Papaya has folic acid that helps improves circulation to the hair follicles and promotes hair growth (4).

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5. Controls Dandruff

Papaya seeds can help reduce dandruff when used in a hair pack.

What You Need

• ½ papaya with the seeds intact

What You Have To Do

1. Remove the skin of the papaya and blend the pulp and the seeds to make a smooth paste.
2. Massage the paste into your scalp and apply it to the rest of your hair as well.
3. Leave it on for one hour and shampoo as usual.

Why This Works

One of the main causes of dandruff is fungal infection. Papaya seeds have antifungal properties that help fight dandruff (5).

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6. Conditions Hair

Papaya can treat hair that is dry and dull and makes it soft and hydrated.

What You Need

• ½ ripe papaya
• ½ cup yogurt

What You Have To Do

1. Remove the skin and the seeds of the papaya, and blend till it forms a smooth paste.
2. Add yogurt to the papaya paste and mix well.
3. Apply this mixture to your hair, starting from the roots to the very ends.
4. Keep it on for an hour and rinse using a mild shampoo.

Why This Works

Due to a high vitamin A content, papaya promotes the production of sebum (6). Sebum is our body’s natural oil, and its production helps keep your hair conditioned.

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Health Benefits

7. Promotes Cardiovascular Health

Papaya is one of the healthiest fruits available, and it can help keep your heart healthy.

Why This Works

Papayas are rich in vitamins A and C. They help prevent cholesterol from getting oxidized, which stops it from clogging blood vessels (7). This helps reduce the risk of heart attacks.

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8. Prevents Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is the gradual loss of vision that usually affects the elderly. Papaya can help stop this loss in vision.

Why This Works

Papaya has an antioxidant called zeaxanthin that filters out rays that harm the retinas (8). This reduces the risk of macular degeneration.

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9. Boosts Immunity

Eating papayas can have a positive impact on your immune system.

Why This Works

Papaya is rich in antioxidants that combine with the free radicals that have a negative impact on your immune system (9). This boosts your immunity.

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10. Heals Wounds

Applying crushed papaya seeds to wounds can help in faster healing.

Why This Works

Papaya seeds show significant antimicrobial activity that helps kill the bacteria in the wound and promote faster healing (10).

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11. Aids Digestion

Papaya can help keep your digestive system healthy. In folk medicine, it was used to treat all kinds of stomach ailments including indigestion, acid reflux, and stomach ulcers.

Why This Works

Papaya is a rich source of dietary fiber, which is why it helps maintain your digestive system (11).

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12. Has Anticancer Effects

Studies show that papaya seed extracts can have chemotherapeutic effects.

Why This Works

Papaya seeds are rich in flavonoids that can reduce the risk of cancer by arresting the development of the cancerous cells (12).

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13. Prevents Arthritis

Arthritis is a painful disorder that causes inflammation in the joints. Regular ingestion of papaya can help reduce the pain in the joints.

Why This Works

Papaya has anti-inflammatory effects that help reduce the pain that results from arthritis (13).

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Selection And Storage

Papaya ripens even after it has been plucked. Reddish-orange skin is the sign of a ripe papaya, and it should be consumed within a few days. Papaya that has yellow tinges still needs a few more days to ripen.

Ripe papayas should be stored in the refrigerator. Once it has been sliced, it should be consumed within a day or two.

Nutritional Chart

http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2305?fgcd=&manu=&lfacet=&format=&count=&max=35&offset=&sort=&qlookup=papaya

Tips For Usage

Usually, papayas are eaten on their own, after their seeds are removed. But they can be added to fruit salads and smoothies to make healthy and delicious snacks.

Papaya And Banana Smoothie

What You Need

• ½ ripe papaya, diced with seeds and skin removed
• 1 banana, peeled and mashed
• 1 cup skimmed milk
• ¼ cup plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extracts

What You Have To Do

1. Blend all the ingredients in a blender till the mixture reaches a smooth consistency.
2. Pour into a tall glass and serve.

Papaya Salsa

What You Need

• 1 cup papaya, diced
• 1 cup pineapple, diced
• ½ cup onion, chopped
• ½ cup pepper, chopped
• 2 tablespoons coriander, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• ½ teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt

What You Have To Do

1. Add all the ingredients except for the salt and olive oil in a large bowl and toss.
2. Sprinkle the oil and the salt over it, and toss again.

Caution

Papaya is considered to be safe when consumed in moderate amounts. Intaking large amounts can damage the esophagus (14).

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid consuming excessive papaya. Papaya contains unprocessed papain that may poison the fetus or cause birth defects.

Papaya can also cause allergic reactions in some people. It might either be an allergy to papain or the latex.

Fermented papaya can reduce blood sugar. Diabetics, hypoglycemics, and those about to undergo surgery should avoid it.

Papaya also reacts with medications used to slow down blood clotting. Those using these medications should consult with their doctor before adding papaya to their diet.

Add papaya to your diet and enjoy all it has to offer. This easily available fruit can do wonders for you. Know of any more benefits it has to offer? Share them with us in the comments section below.