Using Papaya for Better Digestion
I don't get medical problems often, but every once in a while something will pop up that I need to tend to. Right now, I'm having stomach issues, which is annoying to me, because I can usually eat like a bear (as long as I exercise to counterbalance my caloric intake), and my digestive tract usually does what it's supposed to. 
However, lately, I can feel my food taking a lot longer than usual to digest, and I figure that I must have done something to throw off the natural acidic environment of my stomach. Also, although I don't think it's hereditary, my dad had ulcers, so I hope I'm not heading down that road! From the random stomach pains I've been having lately (and remembering what my dad used to go through with that), I know that that is not somewhere you want to go! So, for now, I've been drinking milk, and maybe eating some dairy, and those soothe my stomach instantly.
This same thing actually happened to me once many years ago, and I went to the doctor. He suggested eating papaya, either raw or taking it in tablet form. I did what he said, and it worked.
So, this evening, I'm heading to the supermarket to stock up. I have to admit, not having grown up eating papaya, it's a bit strange to me, but I'll eat it anyway. Maybe I need to find a better way to fix it than just slicing and eating it. Maybe some honey on top? I dunno. To me, the taste is just a little bit funky, but bearable.
However, upon further examination, papaya is one hell of a fruit! Well, it's actually an overgrown herb called herbaceous perennial. The reason that it helps with digestion is because it contains the enzyme papain, which helps to break down certain proteins in foods. This stuff is also used in meat tenderizer, and in other concoctions, has been used to help heal wounds by eating away the dying tissue.
Almost scary to think of putting it in your stomach, but the stomach's environment and lining are impervious to the tenderizing effects of papain.
Also, if you're looking for a super food, this is IT. Papayas are a good source of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin E, carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, and lycopene.
They have 33% more vitamin C and 50% more potassium than oranges and with less calories. Papayas have 13 times more vitamin C and more than twice the potassium of apples. Papayas have four times more vitamin E than both apples and oranges.
How about THEM papayas??
So, while I'm working to calm and straighten out my stomach, I know that eating these papaya for the next few days is gonna turn me back into Super Woman. They're that good!
If any of you have some good suggestions on how to prepare them, let me know! I could use some ideas! :)
26 comments:
I'll keep in mind that papayas are good for regulating my digestive tract. I would like to have a stomach issue where I don't want to eat anything BUT fruits and veggies in small portions with water. :)
Davida
I had a papaya once. It was really good! I might have to try one again soon... Thanks for the reminder! :)
Papaya on the beauty and health benefits are great.
Health information
Humor & Fun World
Yes Diva 'Papaya is one hell of a fruit'. We have papaya everyday Diva..It also helps reducing weight as it makes you feel full thus reduces intake of other unwanted junkies..but we also have it raw only with honey on top..I also dont know of any recipes with papaya..one of my cousin's make papaya smoothie but I think the raw one's will taste better than a smoothie..:D.At my mom's place our home is filled with papaya plants..we get lot of fruits from it sometimes we throw it away and no one will take it also as all houses have papaya plant.speaking of ulcers I recollect how my father-in-law suffered with ulcer pains.
Hope you clear those issues up right away. When my stomach is out of balance, it messes up my whole equilibrium. Papayas are not at the top of my fruit list but I'll be determined to buy one every now and again since you shared this wonderful info about the benefits.
I have no doubt about it when I read your post title, 'Using Papaya for Better Digestion.' I for one can vow for it. Whenever I have papaya, I will have no problem clearing my system the next day. But what I didn't know is that there are so much goodness in Papaya. Thanks for the information.
Yeah, papaya is a good one. I am with you! this helps me too the time that I encounter same problem as yours especially if am having trouble with my stomache that I can't release the food intake out. It's a very good advise from you to your readers, greatT!
Wow Diva thank you so much for this information.
I do have ulcers and they do act up from time to time.
I will definitely give this a go. I only like milk and dairy when I am craving them.
I like fruit any time!!:-)
Papaya IS known to give better digestion. ;-) just ate one a while ago.
happy week!
Great informative post. My digestion system is very weak and some time constipation occur. Now i eat papaya for good digestion.
Papaya is one of my favorite fruits. It's great if you splash some lime juice an seasoning on it.
It's wonderful the health benefits we get from our food. It's certainly a better alternative than taking pills that have side effects.
Yes, papayas are great to help me "go" gently. A really simple way to eat it is to squeeze some lime (in Malaysia it's a small sweetish flavour) on the flesh - it really complements the taste.
One thing I have to add - the papaya I've purchased in the US taste extra-funky (my hubby swears they taste like puke!) on the few occasions I've tried them.
I just love papayas!!! just that... I'm living away from home in a dorm, and still haven't been able to get the right way to pick up the best tasting papayas... All that I buy tend to be sour... still learning ;)
P.S. Thanks a ton for dropping by my blog, reading, and caring to comment... do keep coming back... ;)
Hey Fitness Diva
Just wanted to drop you a note to let you know that I love your style and way of helping deliver the message of fitness to the world. I will be adding your blog to my favorites on my health/fitness blog. Truly keep up the great work!
Joy
Papaya is one of my favorite fruits since I was a kid. My family eat it at least once a week. I've learned to love its taste first before knowing its goodness to my health.
I grew up with papayas but they still taste strange to me, haha. One tip is to find papayas that have dark orange colored flesh. They usually taste sweeter and better compared to those pale yellow ones. Some people I know also like to squeeze those small tropical fruits called Calamondin on them. I dunno if you have those where you live, but a lemon will probably do!
This is a great article im am going to have to try this i often suffer from frquent stomach pains but have not consulted a docotor yet but will keep this in mind.
Papaya is good for digestion and i also like papaya. Thanks for good information about health and fruits.
Yeah, I know that Papaya and banana are good for the digestive system, especially they're great to overcome the constipation problem!
Hi Diva, we always make sure we have papaya at home. After learning that papayas have less carbohydrates than most fruits, and since I am on a low-carb diet, this fruit has always been on my shopping list. :) You can make a papaya milk shake if you like. I too can attest to its effectiveness in helping the digestive tract function well.
Great article on papayas. I've tried papaya tablets before and they did help digestion. Of course going for the real thing...the actual fruit is so much better.
I found a bunch of Papaya reciepies for Papaya SALSA that sound realy good, and serving suggestions like the salsa over grilled fish.
Oh MAMA, that sounds good to me...lol
This proves to be very effective. My mother used to have digestion problems. She always has papaya in the fridge and eats it everyday. It truly helped her resolve her digestion issues.
I´m used to papaya, probably because I live in a tropical country, when i was little my mom would make papaya en dulce, you just cook it wit sugar and cinnamon (no skin)just remember to drink the water as well
Oi, living in Brasil at the moment, Ive grown to love papaya, or mamão as they call it here. As far as a good recipe, my usual breakfast is a bowl of granola (or oats), milk, and sliced papaya
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