Papayas are a tropical fruit that grow on trees. They contain a digestive enzyme called papain, which is at a more concentrated state in the papaya when the fruit is not ripe. This enzyme is extracted to make dietary supplements that may aid in the digestion process of the body. This papaya enzyme can be used in conjunction with chlorophyll and mint to help eliminate bad breath and flatulence.
The trees that produce papaya originated in the tropical regions of South America and Central America, but the fruit can be purchased just about anywhere in the world today. It resembles a pear with its spherical shape and is usually found to be around 7 inches (17.78 centimeters) in length. The outside of the fruit bears an orange color with yellow and pink shading.
The papaya is rich in many different nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, folate, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin K. Known for their sweet taste, papayas are enjoyed when eaten raw in their ripened state. With an abundance of nutrients available in this tropical fruit, it is extremely valuable in a number of ways.
Papayas are great for protecting against heart disease and atherosclerosis. They help to lower cholesterol, and their enzymes aid in the digestion process. Papayas also work well to protect the body from developing macular degeneration, and they build up the immune system with the antioxidants that they carry. They protect against rheumatoid arthritis and strengthen the lung health for someone who smokes.
Papain, the digestive enzyme found in the fruit, has been commercially used to create dietary supplements that may be taken orally as a pill or eaten as a chewable tablet similar to other antacids. Papaya products can be found in supermarkets, health food stores and various stores across the world. Aside from the typical digestive uses, the papaya enzyme may be used to tenderize meat. It has been used to medically treat patients with diphtheria, ulcers, and those that experience swelling or fever after having surgery.
This enzyme has been studied and used in a variety of other ways as well. It has been used in pet food to make the taste of the food more enjoyable. Papain has the ability to clot milk, prevent scar deformation on the corneas, and is sometimes used as an ingredient in contact lens cleaning solutions. This widely used enzyme can help treat jellyfish and insect stings, it speeds the healing of wounds, and it lowers inflammation.