Papaya fruit contains the valuable enzyme papain, which is similar in its physiological effect to the action of gastric juice. Thanks to this enzyme, papaya fruits significantly improve digestion, stimulate intestinal muscles, and help with gastritis with low acidity. Papain is able to dissolve proteins, so papaya milky juice, which contains a large amount of papain, is used to soften tough meat. It is enough to wrap the steak in a papaya leaf, and after a while it will become soft and tender. Papain is used in some countries to flavor cheese, yoghurt and curd products.
Papain is used to make many medications aimed at treating gastritis, digestive difficulties, as well as for treating eczema, psoriasis, and cleaning the liver and intestines. The Indians of Central America believed that papaya fruit was a cure for cancer.
Despite the sweet taste and the presence of natural sugars in the composition of papaya, it has a low calorie content – only 39 kcal per 100 grams. Therefore, papaya fruits can be safely eaten for diets, diabetes, obesity and overweight problems.
External remedies are prepared from papain, which are used in the treatment of eczema, trophic ulcers, pustular skin lesions, and burns. Papain has anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects. Papaya juice is used in home cosmetology – masks based on papaya juice improve complexion, lighten freckles and age spots, and prevent the appearance of premature wrinkles.
Papaya is eaten fresh, as well as jam, jams, juices and nectars, alcoholic drinks, liqueurs, fruits are dried and preserved from it. Papaya is used to make candied fruits and decorations for confectionery, chocolate, cakes, cocktails.
