According to legend, upon his arrival on South and Central American shores, Christopher Columbus labeled the sweet and hearty papaya fruit as "the fruit of angels." Not long after, papaya began a centuries-long journey into the Caribbean, Europe and Pacific Islands via Spanish explorations. Presently, we know that papaya is not just another "pretty face," but in fact a healthy-choice fruit rich in enzymes. The most essential enzyme is papain, a digestive protein that works along with the many vitamins in papaya to provide a mosaic of health benefits.
Vitamin C
This water-soluble vitamin is high in antioxidants that protect the body against cellular damage, while helping to regenerate the healing abilities of other antioxidants, such as vitamin E. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, vitamin C also plays a role in tissue and neurotransmitter synthesis needed by musculoskeletal and neurological systems. The papain enzyme in papaya works with vitamin C to accelerate healing and reduce the effects of inflammation in a number of conditions, according to research conducted by the Second Tashkent State Medical Institute.
Vitamin A
The compounds that comprise vitamin A form the original "A-team," fighting off infection by creating surface linings in the eyes, and in the respiratory, urinary and intestinal tracts. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, each year vitamin A deficiencies cause blindness in more than 250,000 children living in developing nations. The combination of vitamin A and papain increases the fruit's infection-fighting capabilities, according to research published in the "Canadian Medical Association Journal" citing papain as having significant healing effects on subjects afflicted with the E. coli virus.
Folate
Also called folic acid, folate is essential in creating and protecting the cells needed in DNA and RNA synthesis. This is especially significant during pregnancy and infancy, when cell division occurs at rapid rates for growth and development. For this reason, folate levels in women before and after pregnancy play a role in the overall health of offspring. Research published in the "Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology" found that the antioxidants in papain may work with folate to protect against DNA lesions caused by oxidative stress.
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