Consuming papaya juice is a good way to add essential vitamins and minerals to your diet. This tasty, high-fiber, nutritious drink is a rich source of vitamins B and C, carotene and folate. It contains potassium and magnesium as well as pantothenic acid and papain, an enzyme used in folk medicine to treat digestive conditions, according to the website Drugs. Papaya juice benefits digestion, serves as an anti-inflammatory, protects against heart disease and fights against intestinal parasites.
Aids Digestion
Papaya juice is a rich source of beneficial enzymes. Papain enzyme extract benefits the digestion of protein and helps with indigestion, acid reflux and heart burn, according to the website iHealthDirectory. The high fiber contained in papaya juice may work as a natural laxative, helping to promote the elimination of waste products and prevent constipation.
Anti-inflammatory Effects
The enzyme papain in papaya juice contains anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial in reducing inflammation in patients with conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, according to iHealthDirectory. Papain also benefits individuals with inflammatory conditions of the respiratory tract, such as bronchitis and asthma.
Protects Against Heart Disease
High levels of low-density lipoproteins, or LDL cholesterol, in the blood causes plaque buildup, or atherosclerosis, in the walls of the blood vessels. Eventually, plaque buildup reduces the flow of blood to the heart or brain, increasing the risk of an ischemia, which may result in a heart attack or stroke, according to the American Heart Association. Another benefit of the enzyme papain may be its effect in preventing heart disease. According to iHealthDirectory, papain has shown to be beneficial in preventing heart disease in preliminary studies; however, further studies are needed to substantiate this claim.
Effects on Intestinal Parasites
Intestinal parasites may enter the body when someone comes in contact with contaminated food, soil or water, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These parasites may reside in the intestinal tract without any symptoms or may cause symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and vomiting, and the passage of worms in stool. Papain is a digestive enzyme that works to destroy worms if you take it 30 minutes before or after a meal, according to the UMMC. Papain will also return the intestines to a healthy and normal state.
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