Papaya, also known as papaya, pumpkin, stone gourd, pengsheng fruit, milk gourd, papaya, longevity fruit, etc., is a plant of the genus Papaya in the genitaceae. Its skin is smooth and beautiful, the flesh is thick and delicate, the aroma is rich, the juice is abundant, sweet and delicious, and the nutrition is rich, so it is given the elegant names of "the fruit of Baiyi", "the emperor of fruits", "longevity melon", etc., and is one of the four famous fruits in Lingnan. It contains more than 17 kinds of amino acids, as well as nutrients such as calcium and iron, and half a medium-sized papaya is enough to provide the vitamin C that adults need for a day. Papaya is mainly produced in tropical and **zone regions.
Papaya has the following 8 major effects and functions:
1.Papaya can help with digestion: Papaya is rich in fiber and enzymes that help break down food and absorb nutrients.
2.Papaya can also reduce stomach pain and stomach discomfort, as well as relieve digestive issues such as acid reflux.
3.Papaya helps reduce inflammation: Papaya contains a lot of vitamin C and folic acid, which can reduce the level of inflammation in the body. As a result, papaya becomes an ideal food to aid rheumatism, arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases.
4.Papaya can boost immunity: Papaya contains a lot of antioxidants and vitamin C, which can help the body fight off diseases and infections.
5.The enzymes in papaya can promote the activity of immune cells and further enhance the body's immunity.
6.Papaya can help lower cholesterol: The fiber and vitamin C in papaya can help reduce blood cholesterol levels. Therefore, papaya becomes an ideal food for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
7.Papaya may promote wound healing: Papaya is rich in vitamin C and vitamin A, which can stimulate wound healing and cell regeneration. In addition, papaya contains some plant enzymes that eliminate necrotic tissue around the wound and promote the growth of new cells.
8.Papaya helps lower blood sugar: The fiber and enzymes in papaya can help control blood sugar levels, which can reduce the risk of diabetes. In addition, papaya also contains some insulin-sensitive ingredients that can help maintain normal blood sugar levels.
To sum up, papaya is not only a delicious fruit, but also a very healthy food. But it should be noted that papaya also has some taboos and precautions for consumption:
1.Allergic reactions: Papaya contains a substance called papayaline, which may cause allergic reactions. If you are allergic to papayaline, you should avoid eating papaya. If contact with or eating papaya causes allergy symptoms, please seek medical attention promptly.
2.Pregnant and lactating women: Papaya contains papayaline because papaya may cause uterine contractions in pregnant women, causing abdominal pain after eating, but it will not cause harm to the growth of the fetus in the womb. Therefore, pregnant and lactating women should be cautious about consuming papaya.
3.People with high blood pressure: Papaya contains a lot of potassium, which may cause an increase in blood pressure. Therefore, people with high blood pressure should control the amount of papaya consumed.
4.Patients with chronic gastritis: Papaya contains a large amount of enzymes and fiber, which may stimulate gastric acid secretion and lead to aggravation of symptoms in patients with chronic gastritis. Therefore, patients with chronic gastritis should avoid consuming too much papaya.
5.Papaya can not be eaten too much: Papaya contains papain, and eating a large amount of papaya after purification may paralyze the central nervous system and cause mild poisoning symptoms. Consumption of papaya in moderation does not cause poisoning, but it fights Mycobacterium tuberculosis and various parasites, and has antibacterial and insecticidal effects.
6.Papaya should not be eaten with fried food: Papaya should not be eaten with fried food, which can easily cause gastrointestinal upset, and in severe cases, it may lead to diarrhea, vomiting and other symptoms.
As for how papaya is eaten, there are several common ways:
1.How to eat raw: Peel the papaya, cut it into slices or hand-grabbed pieces, it can be eaten alone, or it can be eaten with other fruits or snacks, the taste is refreshing, it helps gastrointestinal digestion and prevents constipation.
2.Make a salad: Cut papaya into small pieces and mix it with salad dressing and other vegetables and fruits to make a delicious papaya salad that is both healthy and delicious. Papaya will make salads more refreshing and tasty, and it can increase the nutrients that the body needs.
3.How to cook: In addition to eating raw and making salads, you can also cut papaya into small pieces, stew or fry them with other ingredients, which can make delicious dishes such as papaya brine and papaya crispy, and the texture is combined with the filling to make it delicious and delicious.
4.Making juice: Juice papaya and can be drunk on its own or mixed with other fruits or vegetables to make a delicious papaya juice. The rich nutrient content and sweet taste of papaya is one of the reasons why people love to drink fruit juice. In addition, papaya also has the effect of boosting metabolism and eliminating fatigue.
5.To make dessert: Soak papaya water in syrup and add milk or yogurt to make a delicious papaya pudding. Papaya pudding is not only delicious, but also helps to promote blood circulation and stasis, and promotes good health.
When choosing a papaya, choose a papaya with a golden skin, no black spots, smooth and shiny without protruding parts. Oval-shaped, fat, papaya has a sweeter taste, while lean papaya has less sweetness. Do not choose papaya with black spots on the skin, because such papaya has been damaged, the nutritional value will also be affected, and it should not be eaten.
Regarding the preservation of papaya, ripe papaya cannot be preserved and is prone to spoilage. If you want to preserve papaya, you can choose a papaya with a green color, place it indoors for two days, and then wrap it in newspaper and put it in the refrigerator, so that it can be stored for 4 to 5 days.