Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Papaya (Carica papaya)

Papaya (Carica papaya) aka:lechoza, mamão, penpe, papol, fruta bomba, and pawpaw (though not to be confused with the american pawpaw) is a fibrous orange fruit with a green to yellow leather-like skin, and a center full of fibers and little black seeds.





Health Benefits of Papaya:
  • Increased Protection from Bacterial and Viral Infections
  • Increased Immune Function
  • Reduced Cancer Risk
  • Protection Against Heart Disease
  • Slowing Aging
  • DNA Repair and Protection
  • Alleviation of Cardiovascular Disease
  • Alleviation of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
  • Alzheimer's Protection
  • Osteoporosis Protection
  • Stroke Prevention
  • Papaya contains papain which is a pain killer and known to aid in digestion. Papaya is often used to treat stomach ache. *Some of these health benefits are due to the nutrients highly concentrated in Papaya, and may not necessarily be related to Papaya.
Natural vitmains, minerals, and nutrients found in Papaya: Vitamin A | Vitamin B9 (Folate, Folic Acid) | Vitamin C | Dietary Fiber | Potassium |
Click here to compare these nutrition facts with other fruits.
Nutrition Facts
Papayas Raw
Serving Size 100g
Calories 39
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.14g0%
    Saturated Fat 0.043g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 3mg0%
Total Carbohydrate 9.81g3%
    Dietary Fiber 1.8g7%
    Sugar 5.9g~
Protein 0.61g~
Vitamin A22%Vitamin C103%
Calcium2%Iron1%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Vitamins  %DV
Vitamin A 1094IU22%
    Retinol equivalents 55μg~
    Retinol 0μg~
    Alpha-carotene 0μg~
    Beta-carotene 276μg~
    Beta-cryptoxanthin 761μg~
Vitamin C 61.8mg103%
Vitamin E 0.73mg2%
Vitamin K 2.6μg3%
Vitamin B12 0μg0%
Thiamin 0.027mg2%
Riboflavin 0.032mg2%
Niacin 0.338mg2%
Pantothenic acid 0.218mg2%
Vitamin B6 0.019mg1%
Folate 38μg10%
    Folic Acid 0μg~
    Food Folate 38μg~
    Dietary Folate Equivalents 38μg~
Choline 6.1mg~
Lycopene 0μg~
Lutein+zeazanthin 75μg~
Minerals  %DV
Calcium 24mg2%
Iron 0.1mg1%
Magnesium 10mg3%
Phosphorus 5mg1%
Sodium 3mg0%
Potassium 257mg7%
Zinc 0.07mg0%
Copper 0.016mg1%
Manganese 0.011mg1%
Selenium 0.6μg1%
Water 88.83g~
Ash 0.61g~

Useful Stats
Percent of Daily Calorie Target
(2000 calories)
1.95%
Percent Water Composition 88.83%
Protein to Carb Ratio (g/g) 0.06g
How to choose Papaya: Look for brightly colored papayas that yield softly to the touch. Avoid papayas that are mushy, or have discolorations.
Climate and origin: Papayas originated in Central and South America but have spread to most any place with a tropical climate.
Taste: A papaya's taste and texture will vary widely based on when it was picked and how ripe it is when you eat it. Properly ripened, a papaya will be very sweet and almost mushy. Most people discard papaya seeds, though dried seeds have been used as a substitute for black pepper.
Miscellaneous information: Due to papain, papaya has long been used as a meat tenderizer in South America. The papain is also made into a gel like paste and used to treat cuts or skin irritation. Papayas are used in Asia as a contraceptive and in South America they are renowned for being an aphrodisiac.

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