Papaya Fruit – Benefits for Skin, Hair & Health

Papayas are soft and fleshy fruits found usually in tropical climates. they are also known as papaws or pawpaws in some regions. Their sweet taste, vibrant colour and a variety of benefits they provide for health, skin and hair make them a popular fruit. Some years ago, papaya was a rare fruit but now it can be found commonly.

BENEFITS OF PAPAYA FRUIT FOR HEALTH

Some health benefits of papaya are as follows:

1. Papaya aids digestion

Papaya is known to contain an enzyme called papain which helps in digestion by breaking down the proteins present in food. A glass of papaya juice is frequently recommended by doctors for curing any digestion related issues.

2. Fights against inflammation

Apart from the papain enzyme, papaya also contains enzymes that reduce inflammation and promote the healing of burns. These help immensely in conditions of inflammation such as bursitis.

3. Heart disease and cancer

Papaya is rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients that reduce the chances of cancer or heart diseases. The antioxidant properties of papaya fight the free radicals produced in the body and stop their production and growth. Papaya also stops cholesterol from building up in your arteries. Cholesterol is one of the main reasons for heart attacks.

4. Boosts immunity

Papaya is rich in content of Vitamin A B, C and K which makes it an excellent immunity booster.

It enhances the growth of body tissues, including hair and skin. It also helps in maintaining collagen, the structural protein of connective tissues. It is said that eating one medium-sized papaya can provide you with vitamins double the amount of your daily requirement.

5. Arthritis

Papaya is also effective in treating arthritis due to high content of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and copper in it. Consume papaya regularly to build up the calcium bank of your body and keep your bones healthy and strong in the long run.

6. Diabetes

Researchers have found that consumption of papaya can actually help in regulating the blood sugar level and cholesterol due to the fibres present in the fruit, thereby keeping diabetes and heart problems at a bay.

BENEFITS OF PAPAYA FOR SKIN

Reduces discolouration

If you have dark spots or acne marks all over your face, a papaya facial can help you get rid of the problem. The bleaching properties of papaya will help you lighten up the dark spots and pimple marks. Look for a facial containing papaya and honey and lemon juice for the best results.

Moisturizes skin

Papaya has a high content of water which hydrates your skin and retains the moisture making it smooth and glowing. You can either consume papaya fruit or apply it as a face pack to keep your skin hydrated and glowing.

Soothes sensitive skin

Applying the flesh of unripe papaya all over your face can help you soothe your sensitive skin. Unripe papaya contains high quantities of papain enzyme whose excellent healing and soothing properties make it an ideal remedy for sensitive skin types. If you are highly allergic, it is best to use ripe papaya flesh to avoid side effects.

Reduce cut burns

One of the many benefits of papaya is its healing and soothing properties due to the enzyme papain present in it in large quantities. This makes it an excellent remedy to cure cuts and burns. The papain enzyme also helps to keep any bacteria away from the wounds and prevents the wound from infection. Just rub some freshly cut papaya on the cuts and burns regularly.

Removes acne and pimples

Drinking or applying papaya juice will simply vanquish your acne and pimples from your face. Papaya deep cleans the skin and reduces its susceptibility to acne. Simple apply fresh papaya juice all over your face for 10 minutes daily. You will see your pimples vanishing within a few days. Also, eat papaya fruit regularly to flush toxins out of your system and keep acne away permanently.

BENEFITS OF PAPAYA FOR HAIR

Using papaya regularly can get you long and healthy hair. Papaya has multiple benefits for your hair, namely

1. Papaya stimulates hair growth

Regular consumption of papaya can stimulate your hair growth and give you long and voluminous hair. Papaya has folic acid which helps in improving blood circulation to your hair and thus promotes hair growth. 

2. Controls dandruff

Papaya seeds when used in a hair pack can also remove dandruff from your hair. One of the main reasons for dandruff is a fungal infection. The antifungal properties of papaya seeds help in controlling as well as preventing dandruff.

3. Conditions hair 

Due to the rich content of vitamin A in papaya, it also acts as a natural conditioner for your hair. It promotes the production of sebum, the natural oil of the body which keeps the hair conditioned.  

HOME REMEDIES OF PAPAYA

1. Papaya And Honey Face Mask 

Ingredients required

• 1/2 cup ripe papaya (chopped)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 teaspoons whole milk

Steps to follow

1. Mash the chopped papayas.
2. Add the milk and honey to mashed papayas. Mix well to make a paste.
3. Apply this pack to your face and neck.
4. Let it stay for about 10-15 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.

Frequency of usage

Apply this once or twice a week.

Benefit

Hydrates skin and retains moisture

2. Papaya And Turmeric

Ingredients required

• 1/2 cup ripe papaya
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

Steps to follow

1. Mash the papaya pieces and add turmeric powder.
2. Mix well and apply it to your face or skin.
3. Keep it on until it dries.
4. Slowly, scrub off the pack.
5. Rinse your face/skin with cold water.

Frequency of usage

Repeat this once every week.

Benefits

• Removes unwanted hair from the face.
• Improves complexion
• Evens out skin tone.

3. Papaya, Banana and Cucumber

Ingredients required

• 1/4 cup ripe papaya pieces
• 1/2 cucumber cut into small pieces
• 1/4 cup ripe banana pieces

Steps to follow

1. Take the cucumber pieces and blend them with the papaya and banana pieces to get a smooth paste.
2. Apply this paste all over your face and neck. Let it stay for 15-20 minutes.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water first and then with cold water.

Frequency of usage

Repeat this once every week.

Benefits

• Hydrates and soothes skin
• Reduces cuts and burns
• Evens out skin tone
• Smoothen wrinkles

4. Papaya And Orange Face Pack For Oily Skin

Ingredients required

• 1 Ripe Papaya.
• 5-6 slices of orange.

Steps to follow

1. Chop the papaya into a few pieces.
2. Squeeze out the juice from the orange and mix it with the papaya pieces to form a lump-free paste. 
3. Mix well and apply the mixture to your face.
4. Let it stay for 15 minutes and then rinse with tap water.

Frequency of usage

Do this twice a week. 

Benefits

• Reduces oil (suitable for oily skin)
• Brightens skin
• Treats blemishes, spots, pigmentation, and skin dullness.

5. Papaya And Egg White

Ingredients required

• 1/2 cup ripe papaya
• 1 egg white

Steps to follow

1. Mash the papaya pieces and keep them aside. 
2. Whisk the egg white until froth appears.
3. Now, mix these two and apply the paste all over your face and neck.
4. Rinse after 15 minutes with cold water. 

Frequency of usage

Repeat this once every week.

Benefits

• Tightens skin pores
• Reduces wrinkles

6. Papaya, Honey, And Lemon

Ingredients required

• 1/2 cup flesh of ripe papaya
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 tablespoon sandalwood powder or Fuller’s earth (optional)

Steps to follow

1. Chop the papaya into small pieces and mash them.
2. Add lemon juice, honey and sandalwood powder and mix well to get a paste.
3. Apply the face pack evenly all over your face and neck.
4. Leave it for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with cold water.

Frequency of usage

Apply this once or twice a week.

Benefit

Removes acne and pimples and nourishes the skin

7. Papaya And Lemon Face Pack For Skin Brightening

Ingredients required

• 1 cup of ripe papaya pieces
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Steps to follow

1. Mash the papaya pieces and add fresh lemon juice to them. Mix well.
2. Apply this pack all over your face.
3. Let it dry for 10-15 minutes.
4. Rinse with lukewarm water.

Frequency of usage

2-3 times in one week.

Benefits

• Brightens skin
• Fights signs of ageing

8. Papaya and yogurt

Ingredients required

• 1 cup ripe papaya pieces
• ½ cup yogurt

Steps to follow

1. Mash the ripe papaya pieces and add yogurt to make a smooth paste.
2. Apply it to your face and neck.
3. Keep it on for 15-20 minutes until it dries.
4. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.

Benefits

• Papaya evens out skin tone.
• Yogurt softens skin and reduces spots.

PRECAUTIONS

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Papaya should not be consumed during the pregnancy or breastfeeding stage as it may be possibly unsafe.  Evidence shows that the enzyme papain found in papaya might poison the fetus or cause birth defects. 
• Diabetes: Fermented papaya can cause a reduction in blood sugar levels. People suffering from diabetes should take special care about their sugar level if they are consuming papaya and make any adjustments that might be required or else consuming papaya might reduce blood sugar level to very low and cause harm. 
• Papain allergy: Papaya contains an enzyme called papain. If you are allergic to papain, do not consume papaya or use any products having papaya.
• Latex allergy: If you are allergic to latex, there are chances that you may be allergic to papaya. If you observe redness or rashes on your skin after using papaya, immediately wash your face and consult a doctor to know if you are allergic. Also, it is advisable to have well-cooked papaya.
• Surgery: Papaya that has been fermented is known for lowering blood sugar levels. This might affect your blood sugar during or after surgery. To avoid any unfavourable situations avoid eating papayas around 2 weeks before surgery.

MYTHS AND FACTS

MYTHS	FACTS
Papaya only affects the reproductive cycles of women.	Along with the reproductive cycles of women, papaya can also affect the fertility of women.
Papaya is only good for a healthy vision.	Papayas have multiple health benefits. Along with healthy vision, they also improve blood circulation, digestion and fight against cardiovascular diseases due to their healthy fat content. It also acts as an antioxidant and has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties which fight against infections and reduces inflammation. Papayas are commonly used as home remedies for a variety of skin, hair and health-related reasons.

FAQS

Q: Can you eat papaya every day?

A: The sweet juicy orange flesh of papaya is a powerhouse of nutrients making it an ideal snack.  A medium-sized papaya contains roughly 120 units of calories, 20 per cent of our daily requirement of fibres and three times the Vitamin C we need on a daily basis. Papaya is less acidic, so consuming it in breakfast will soothe your stomach.

 Q: Can I eat papaya at night?

A: Yes, papaya can be eaten at night. Also, since our body is at rest during the night, light food like papaya can help the digestive system. Fruits are like fillers with rich content of vitamins and minerals and less fat.

Q: Is eating papaya good for weight loss?

A: Papaya acts as an excellent diuretic and antioxidant. It contains large amounts of plant fibres and very little calories. It also possesses rich content of vitamins A, B and C, Calcium, iron and phosphorus. All of these are effective elements in reducing weight loss. Additionally, papaya also helps in weight loss by fighting cellulite.