22 Amazing Benefits of Papaya for Skin, Hair, Health

Nidhi ‐ 03/26/2016

Top 22: Amazing Benefits of Papaya for Skin, Hair, Weightloss

Papaya, scientifically known as, Carica papaya scientifically and Papita in Hindi, is a fruit popular all over the world. It is, probably the best food import India ever had. Papaya was originally bred in South America. Known as the healthiest fruit, its benefits are far too many . Apart from offering medicinal help, this fruit of bliss and health has many beauty remedies up its sleeve. That is why today I will list down the best benefits of eating papaya for weightloss and general health and also benefits of using papaya for hair and skin. Warning: This might sound like a Crash Course on Papaya! It is also known as Boppayi Pandu in Telugu, Pappali in Tamil, Omakaya in Malayalam, Pappayi Hannu in Kannada and Papai in Marathi. One wonder, many names!

I was never a big fan of Papaya. Somehow, the slimy and slippery touch, the intricate arrangement of black seeds in its womb and the cumbersome task of peeling it and tolerating the smell was too much of a task. I considered it the punishment fruit. However, during my pregnancy, I was advised to eat Papaya.

It was during this phase that I became extremely curios about this punishment fruit. Apart from maintaining an optimum pH balance in the body, it also works as a great catalyst in metabolism. If eaten in right quantity, this fruit will also ensure that your body is devoid of stretch marks after birth of your child. Moreover, you will not have to spend hours on your face. Blemishes and pimple will not bother much during the post natal phase. My ordeal, with the initial pangs of motherhood, is over. So now, let me also talk about multiple benefits this magical fruit has to offer:

List of Skin Benefits of Papaya:

Papaya packs work best for treating dry skin challenges. It helps in rejuvenation and exfoliation of dead skin cells.

Papaya pulp, when mixed with honey, is a great remedy for skin with persistent acne. Being alkaline in nature, the pulp upon combining with the natural cleanser, honey, acts as a perfect cleansing pack. It absorbs dirt; keep the pH optimum and helps in diminishing blemishes and fine lines.
The enzyme Papain present in Papaya eats the dead skin and blackheads, hence giving a fresh look.
Skin of Papaya can treat almost all open wounds.
You can always sprinkle some fresh Papaya juice on your face if you have open pores and clots. This papaya juice will swallow excess oil and dirt.
Try rubbing Papaya skin on your face for excellent glow.
Soak cotton flakes in Papaya juice and leave those flakes on your face. Take the flakes off after twenty minutes. This is recommended for skin lightening procedure.

List of Benefits of Papaya for Hair:

Papaya contains Folic Acid which helps in the circulation of blood in scalp and hence stimulates hair growth.
Use crushed Papaya seeds on your scalp to eradicate Dandruff.

How to use papaya on your hair:

Mix Papaya pulp with Papaya seeds. Blend the two to form a paste.
Apply this crushed form on your scalp only.
Clean your head with cold water after thirty minutes.
Use a mild shampoo on your hair.

Do not try this during winters. Do not consume curd before or after this treatment.

You can use this mask if your scalp is dry. This hair mask will nourish your scalp effectively which, in turn, will make your hair shinier. Papaya has anti fungal properties, and hence, combats every ailment related to scalp dryness.

Use Papaya pulp-mashed with five tablespoons of curd and apply it on your hair strands. Wash your hair after an hour to achieve best results. This is a great conditioner and can be used every time you go for a head bath.

Do not try this during winters. Do not consume curd before or after this treatment.

For tangled and wavy hair, apply Papaya Juice and comb well. Tangle free, bouncy hair!

If you cannot do any of these, just eat Papaya as it is. Vitamin A, present in Papaya, promotes hair growth. In fact, you can trust any food item which has Protein and Vitamin A for great well being of your hair.

List of Surprising Benefits of Papaya for Health:

Papaya, being rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, keeps your heart young and energetic. Papaya prevents cardiac arrests, by stopping oxidization of cholesterol. Oxidized cholesterol accelerates the conditions eventually leading to heart attacks.

Zeaxanthin, an antioxidant present in Papaya, prevents rays from harming the Retina of the eye. So, great vision in old age is often associated with a high consumption of Papaya.
Upset stomach, Ulcers of stomach, dryness in intestine, weakness in liver-all of this can be cured by Papaya. The fiber content present in Papaya stimulates the secretion of enzymes.

I read it somewhere that eating Papaya everyday can kill all the cancer cells present in the body within sixty days. The high alkaline content can kill any cancerous growth. Hence people, who smoke a lot, are always advised to eat Papaya and Oranges. Flavonoids do not allow cancer cells to develop .

A good to know fact- anything which is alkaline in nature i.e. tomatoes, Papaya, Oranges, lemon, will always help in getting rid of acidity.

Its anti inflammatory properties make it an ideal fruit for consumption in Arthritis.

Papaya is high on fiber and hence it is a super food in case you want to lose weight.

Papaya can treat constipation well.

Suffering from cold? Consume papaya for five days. This will treat your cold well and boost immunity as well.

Papaya can also reduce problems faced by women during menstruation. It boosts the blood pressure and hence the flow of blood is regulated.

4 Ways to use Papaya:

You can it as a fruit
You can make a smoothie
You can drink Papaya juice
You can make Papaya curry using Raw (green) Papaya

Side Effects of eating Papaya:

Although hailed as a great fruit, excessive consumption can create some problems like:

Raw Papaya, can accelerate the chances of miscarriage. So eat ripe Papaya only, in moderation. Do seek your gynae’s advice. I did consume Ripe Papaya during pregnancy and felt really great.

Eating Papaya in excess can discolor your skin, and it will turn your face completely pale.

Too much of Papaya can cause congestion of nasal passage and Asthma.

Excess of Vitamin C can damage your Urinary Tract and have negative repercussion on the well being of kidneys as well.

Avoid eating Papaya if you breast feed.

If your blood is thin, then avoid eating Papaya.
Do not consume it during diarrhea
It is known to lower blood pressure, so if you are already suffering from low blood pressure, avoid Papaya completely.
It should not be fed to an infant. Its complex structure of nutrients requires a matured stomach.

Despite few drawbacks, I would still like to count Papaya as the best fruit ever available. The side effects surface when you eat Papaya in surplus, and the body does not know how to get rid of these excess nutrients.

Include Papaya in your diet, probably twice a week. This will ensure that no side effects are generated. Eat Papaya during noon only.

I will recommend this fruit for sure. In case you have a tendency to put on weight easily, or have a high acidic content in your body, then, Papaya is the fruit for you.

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