{"id":626507,"date":"2024-01-31T09:30:54","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T14:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626507"},"modified":"2026-03-04T12:29:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T17:29:03","slug":"papaya-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/papaya-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"12 health benefits of papaya"},"content":{"rendered":"

Papaya<\/span> (Carica papaya), also called pawpaw, is a large, oblong tropical fruit with smooth skin and sweet flesh. It\u2019s <\/span>cultivated<\/span> in many parts of the world, including India, Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Mexico\u2014along with Hawaii, California, Texas, and Florida in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

Papayas are a superfood\u2014they are low in calories and rich in nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E. They are also a source of folate, B vitamins, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The high nutritional value of papayas contributes to their many health benefits. It may help protect against heart disease, improve immunity, and more. Keep reading to find out the powerful health perks of the papaya plant.<\/span><\/p>\n

12 papaya benefits<\/span><\/h2>\n

In addition to eating papaya fresh, you can consume dried papaya or papaya juice, says <\/span>Eve Persak<\/span>, a registered dietitian nutritionist and board-certified specialist in sports dietetics based in Chicago, Illinois. She adds that papaya can also be applied topically to the skin and hair. Here are 12 ways it can improve your health.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Contains powerful antioxidants<\/span><\/h3>\n

Papaya contains powerful antioxidants, including <\/span>vitamin E<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>vitamin A<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>vitamin C<\/span><\/a>, and the carotenoids <\/span>beta-carotene<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>lycopene<\/span><\/a>, says Persak<\/a>. Antioxidants scavenge, or neutralize, chemicals called <\/span>free radicals<\/span><\/a>. When too many free radicals build up, they can cause oxidative stress and cellular damage that increases the risk of chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease, cancer, cognitive decline, and vision loss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fermented papaya is particularly rich in antioxidants. A recent research <\/span>review <\/span><\/a>of its health benefits concluded that fermented papaya may support other treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, allergic reactions, and blood disorders.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to <\/span>research<\/span><\/a>, the carotenoids in papaya are more readily absorbed by the body than those found in other fruits and vegetables like carrots and tomatoes, making papaya an excellent option for antioxidant support.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Reduces cancer risk<\/span><\/h3>\n

Research<\/span><\/a> indicates that lycopene, one of the antioxidants found in papaya, reduces the risk of certain cancers and hinders the growth of existing cancers. A recent research <\/span>review<\/span><\/a> found that lycopene slowed the spread and progression of prostate cancer in men, pointing toward its use as an adjuvant therapy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One older <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> found that papaya leaf extract thwarted the growth of cancer cells cultured from cervical, breast, liver, lung, and pancreatic cancers. While more research is needed, preliminary findings into papaya\u2019s <\/span>anti-cancer properties<\/span><\/a> are promising.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>9 things you can do to prevent cancer<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

3. Boosts heart health\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Because it\u2019s a good source of potassium, papaya may support heart health, says <\/span>Victoria Whittington<\/span><\/a>, a registered dietitian nutritionist at <\/span>Your Dietitian Vitoria<\/span><\/a> in Plano, Texas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the <\/span>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC<\/span>), increased dietary potassium intake helps lower blood pressure in individuals with hypertension (high blood pressure), reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Papaya also <\/span>contains<\/span><\/a> soluble fiber, which protects against cardiovascular disease by <\/span>lowering<\/span><\/a> LDL cholesterol (the kind that may be more likely to clog arteries), says Persak. Increasing your daily dietary fiber content may help keep blood lipid levels in check.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>The best diet for heart health<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

4. Fights inflammation<\/span><\/h3>\n

Long-term inflammation is <\/span>linked<\/span><\/a> to serious chronic health conditions, including respiratory disease, <\/span>heart disease<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>cancer<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>obesity<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>diabetes<\/span><\/a>. A research <\/span>review<\/span><\/a> concluded that papaya extract could potentially treat such inflammatory diseases. Persak says that\u2019s due to its high carotenoid content. In fact, two of the carotenoids found in papaya\u2014beta-carotene and lycopene\u2014are shown to <\/span>reduce<\/span><\/a> inflammatory activity in cells.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Papaya leaves, peels, and pulp also contain <\/span>flavonoids<\/span><\/a> like quercetin and myricetin, known for their strong anti-inflammatory properties.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>How to reduce inflammation<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

5. Improves digestion\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Papaya<\/span><\/a> is traditionally used as a digestive aid in tropical regions to reduce <\/span>constipation<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>bloating<\/span><\/a>, and other <\/span>IBS<\/span><\/a> symptoms. \u201cPapaya is virtually free of fermentable fibers (it\u2019s low FODMAP), which makes it easier for individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to tolerate, and it\u2019s less likely to cause gas and bloating,\u201d says Persak.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Raw papaya is also rich in the proteolytic enzymes <\/span>papain<\/span><\/a> and chymopapain, which Whittington says help break down protein and make it easier to digest. In <\/span>animal studies<\/span><\/a>, unripe papaya has shown promise as a treatment for stomach ulcers, but human research is needed to establish these effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>7 foods to avoid when constipated<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

6. Protects against skin damage\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Papaya contains lycopene, an antioxidant with skin-protective benefits. <\/span>Research<\/span><\/a> indicates that lycopene may help reduce photodamage\u2014premature aging due to prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. While it\u2019s not a substitute for sunscreen, adding lycopene to the diet from foods like papaya offers built-in UV protection, says Persak.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, the vitamin C in papaya is essential for producing <\/span>collagen<\/span><\/a>, the main structural component of skin, Persak says. She adds, \u201cIt also shields skin cells from damaging free radicals, which can lead to signs of premature aging, like wrinkles and spots.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Sun protection 101<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

7. Improves hair health<\/span><\/h3>\n

Thanks to its vitamin A content, papaya may promote a healthier scalp and hair. One <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> showed that the vitamin helps regulate the sebaceous glands (responsible for producing sebum). Sebum helps keep hair strong and healthy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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