Health Benefits of Raw Papaya

Raw papaya stands out for its rich nutrition profile, packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals. Let us dive deep into the nutritional value of raw papaya per 100 grams.

The enzyme activity of the unripe papaya is higher than that of the ripe papaya, which offers various health benefits. Some of the common benefits of unripe papaya are listed below:

-Raw Papaya Aids in Digestion

One of the proven kacha papaya benefits is that it assists with digestion. Unripe papaya contains high amounts of digestive enzymes, which is better for digestion in comparison to ripe papaya.

Furthermore, the protein content present in the fruit ensures smooth digestion. Additionally, green papaya has laxative properties, which ensure regular bowel movements.

-Raw Papaya Controls Bad Cholesterol

Bad cholesterol is the root cause of various heart problems, such as heart attacks and strokes. However, one can lower their bad cholesterol level by including raw papaya into their diet.

Raw papaya being nutrient-dense fruit is rich in antioxidants which helps keep the arteries healthy by regular blood flow. Furthermore, raw papaya also contains potassium, which helps lower blood pressure.

-Raw Papaya Reduces Inflammation

Another benefit of unripe papaya is that it helps reduce inflammation. Chronic inflammation in the body is painful. For individuals who suffer from arthritis or gout, raw papaya can be beneficial as it has anti-inflammatory properties.

It has vitamin C and antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation. Furthermore, fresh papaya is also rich in vitamin A, which decreases lung inflammation.

-Raw Papaya Eases Menstrual Pain

Most women suffer from menstrual pain. The severity of the pain may vary from person to person, depending on their health conditions. However, eating unripe papaya can help women deal with menstrual pain.

It is rich in an enzyme called papain, which helps regulate menstrual flow. Furthermore, it also offers relief to women who suffer from irregular periods.

-Raw Papaya for Treating Cancer

Another known benefit of raw papaya is that it helps treat prostate or colon cancer in men. Raw papaya is rich in dietary fibre, which helps remove cancerous cells or cancer-causing toxins from the colon.

Furthermore, the nutrients present in raw papaya also offer protection to the colon cells from oxidative stress. Additionally, raw papaya removes bad toxins from the body and keeps the body healthy.

-Raw Papaya Maintains Bone Health

Vitamin K, present in raw papaya, is essential for maintaining healthy bones. The vitamin K concentration lowers urine calcium loss and enhances the body's absorption of calcium.

Body fractures may become more likely if calcium levels are low. Therefore, eating raw papaya on a regular basis is essential to maintaining strong bones.

-Raw Papaya for Skin Health

There is no doubt that raw papaya is good for health, but consumption of raw papaya also improves skin health. It is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which are necessary for good skin health.

Antioxidants help remove toxins from the body that cause free radical damage to the skin. Furthermore, another benefit of raw papaya for skin is it helps in improving hair elasticity and texture due to its vitamin C content.

Raw papaya is a power-packed fruit that can be included into multiple recipes, thanks to its unique flavour and rich texture. Below are some popular recipes that display the culinary potential of raw papaya, inviting you to experiment and create your own unique dishes at home.

-Green Papaya Salad

-Ingredients

• 3 cups of grated raw papaya

• 1 tomato thinly sliced

• ½ cup of cowpea finely sliced

• 3 or 4 crushed green chillies

• ½ cup of roasted peanuts

• 1 tablespoon of tamarind pulp

• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

• 2 tablespoons of chopped coriander leaves

• 2 tablespoons of sugar

-How to Prepare

Step 1: In a salad bowl, add grated raw papaya, tomatoes, cowpeas, chillies and roasted peanuts.

Step 2: Next, add green chillies, tamarind pulp, lemon juice, chopped coriander leaves and sugar.

Step 3: Mix all the ingredients well and toss them.

Step 4: Serve the salad.

-Raw Papaya Pickle

-Ingredients

• 1 cup thickly grated raw papaya

• 2 teaspoons of roughly chopped garlic

• 2 teaspoons of lemon juice

• ½ teaspoon of finely chopped green chillies

• 2 teaspoons of mustard seeds

• Salt (as required)

-How to Prepare

Step 1: To make pickles, add garlic, green chillies, mustard seeds and salt to a mortar and pestle and crush until coarse.

Step 2: In a bowl, add raw papaya, crushed mixture and lemon juice.

Step 3: Mix the mixture well and set it aside for a few hours.

Step 4: Serve the pickle with rice or chapati.

-Raw Papaya Curry

-Ingredients

• 3 cups of raw papaya cubes

• 1 teaspoon of panch phoron seeds

• 1 bay leaf

• ½ cup of chopped tomatoes

• 1 teaspoon of finely chopped green chillies

• 1 teaspoon of ginger paste

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder

• 1 teaspoon of red chilli powder

• 2 teaspoons of oil

• Salt (as required)

-How to Prepare

Step 1: Heat oil in a pan and add bay leaf and panch phoron seeds.

Step 2: When the seeds start to crackle, add ginger paste, green chillies, tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chilli powder and salt.

Step 3: Saute the mixture for 2 minutes on a medium flame.

Step 4: Add the raw papaya cubes and 1 ¼ cup of water and mix the curry well.

Step 5: Let it cook on low heat for 20 to 25 minutes until all the water has evaporated and the papaya is cooked.

Step 6: Switch off the flame and serve the papaya curry with chapatis.

Despite kacha papaya's benefits, it is suggested to be careful with its consumption, especially for pregnant women, as it may cause some side effects. Some of the raw papaya side effects are listed below:

-Raw Papaya May Increase Pregnancy Problems

One of the common side effects of raw papaya is that it may increase the risk of miscarriage during pregnancy. It contains white milky juice and certain enzymes that increase the contractions, which enhances the miscarriage risks. Furthermore, the pepsin and papain content present in raw papaya can limit the growth of the foetus.

-Raw Papaya May Cause Stomach Related Issues

Excessive consumption of raw papaya can also lead to various stomach-related problems such as stomach cramps, diarrhoea, etc.

This is generally due to the presence of high fibre content in the fruit. Furthermore, it also contains enzymes that may disturb the stomach lining.

-Raw Papaya May Cause Esophageal Damage

Another common side effect of raw papaya is that it may cause esophageal damage. Raw papaya contains latex, which contains the enzyme papain. Excessive consumption of papain may lead to esophageal damage.

Raw papaya is called a nutrient-dense fruit because it contains nutrients like Vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, potassium and more. Due to its rich profile and low-calorie content, it is a suitable dietary choice.

From salad to main course to dessert, there are a wide variety of unripe papaya recipes available. However, excessive consumption of raw papaya may lead to certain side effects.

Raw papaya is widely popular because of its rich profile. Incorporating it into diets offers various health advantages. However, individuals should also consider investing in a medical insurance plan to protect themselves and their families from unexpected medical emergencies.

A health insurance plan offers protection to you and your family against various medical emergencies. It also helps you get quality medical treatment without draining your bank account.

TATA AIG offers health insurance plans that are tailored to specific health needs, such as family medical insurance, individual health insurance and more.

Furthermore, with our medical insurance, you get the option of maternity coverage, newborn coverage, etc., to enhance your medical coverage.

Additionally, with a claim settlement ratio of 96.70% in the last financial year, we ensure hassle-free claim settlement services.

With our cashless claim services, policyholders can seek treatment in any authorised hospital without paying any upfront medical fees.

-Is it okay to eat unripe papaya every day?

No, it is not suitable to eat unripe papaya every day as it contains certain enzymes that may cause side effects, such as stomach disorders.

-Who should not eat raw papaya?

Raw papaya or semi-ripe papaya has laxative properties that cause uterine contractions. This is why women who have recently had a miscarriage or are pregnant should avoid consuming raw papaya.

-Is raw papaya good for the liver?

Yes, raw papaya is good for liver health due to the presence of vitamin E and vitamin C, which can prevent oxidative damage in the liver. Furthermore, it also contains enzymes called papain, which flush out the toxins from the liver.

-Disclaimer: This is a general guide on the Health Benefits of Raw Papaya. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. It is advisable to consult a qualified health professional for treatment in severe cases.