Papaya Benefits
Papaya is a Tropical fruit of the Caricaceae family that is native to the Caribbean, but thanks to Spanish exploration, by the 19th century it was being grown in all tropical regions throughout the world. Applied topically Papaya has numerous benefits to our skin, including stimulating collagen production, firming skin, and reducing wrinkles.
Inside The super FRUIT
PAPAYA
Straight from the Source
Papaya
Papaya is the fruit of the Carcia Papaya plant, a tropical fruit tree with a 26-foot-tall palmlike trunk believed to native to southern Mexico.
History
Although no direct archaeological evidence has been found to definitely prove its origin, when the Spanish began the conquest of Mexico it was already being cultivated by native people from southern Mexico to Panama.
It was domesticated throughout the Caribbean by Spanish exploration and in the 16th century it was introduced to Asia via the Philippines where it quickly spread all the way to Africa.
Today it is the third most cultivated tropical crop worldwide and is responsible for a $200 billion trade.
Harvest
Papayas are harvested when the first hint of yellow coloration appears. Fruits are hand harvested carefully to avoid scratching the skin, which would release latex and stain the skin.
Anatomy
Large, oval to round berries; sometimes called pepo-like berries since they resemble melons by having a central seed cavity. Fruit are borne axillary on the main stem, usually singly but sometimes in small clusters. Fruits weigh from 0.5 up to 20 lbs, and are green until ripe, turning yellow or red-orange.
Etymology:
The common name comes from the Taíno word papáia that was changed in Spanish to papaya, the word most used worldwide, with some changes. In Australia and some countries of the Caribbean, the fruit is called papaw or pawpaw.
Papaya Benefits:
Papaya consists of an enzyme called papain which increases your body’s production of collagen. The enzymes within fruit are natural catalysts; this means they modify or increase the rate of a reaction without being consumed by the reaction.
Historical Uses
Papaya is a popular folk remedy to reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling. It has also been used to improve digestion and to treat infections, diarrhea, and allergies. It is also being studied for potential use in cancer and other diseases.
Other Potential Benefits* of Papaya:
- Reduce wrinkles and smooth skin
- Prevent and reduce puffy skin
- Firm skin and repair signs of aging
- Help Control acne
Papaya’s Leading Source
Papaya is believed native to tropical America, in southern Mexico and neighboring Central America. Brazil is currently the leader in Papaya agriculture, contributing for that 25% of the world Papayas
