Cleansing your colon regularly may help prevent the build up of harmful microbes in your gut. There are several methods of colon cleansing and papaya fruit may be one way to gently cleanse your colon. Papaya contains special enzymes that may contribute to its traditional use as a digestive aid. There is no conclusive clinical evidence to support the health claims about colon cleansing or papaya.
Colon Health
According to the book "Diet and Nutrition" by Rudolph Ballentine, colon health may be important for the all over health of your body. Ballentine says that your colon, or large intestine, is populated by a collection of microbes including bacteria, fungi and viruses. Many of them are beneficial and aid in the digestion of nutrients and neutralization of toxins. However, others may be harmful and cause conditions, such as indigestion and acid reflux. Poor colon health may even contribute to serious illnesses, such as cancer as well as depression and other mental disorders.
Cleansing Your Colon
Ballentine recommends cleansing the colon whenever you experience symptoms of indigestion, lethargy or constipation. Even if you do not experience such symptoms, a seasonal colon cleansing may be beneficial. You can cleanse your colon with a variety of methods including enemas, herbal teas, special foods and pre-packaged colon cleansers. There is no conclusive clinical evidence to support the claimed benefits of any colon cleansers.
Papaya
According to "The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants," papaya is native to the American continent, but now grows in tropical regions around the world. This herbal tree provides leaves, sap and fruit that all have medicinal application in traditional medicine. The fruit is a traditional remedy for digestive problems. Papaya seeds may help expel intestinal worms and the sap and leaves may help heal external wounds. There is no conclusive clinical evidence to support these uses of papaya.
Papain
According to "The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia," papain -- an enzyme that occurs naturally in papaya fruit and sap -- may be the component of papaya that helps digestion. This enzyme may help break down proteins and is also a common meat tenderizer. Papain is present in all raw papayas --cooking destroys it. However, green papayas have a much higher concentration of this enzyme.
Consuming Papaya
The papain found in papayas may help cleanse your colon by aiding the digestion of protiens and stimulating bwoel movements. Additionally, the seeds of the fruit may help expel intestinal worms. Consume papayas fresh -- ripe papaya is sweet and goes well in a salad -- or purchase a commercially prepared papaya enzyme or colon cleanser with papaya as an ingredient. There is no conclusive clinical evidence to support cleansing the colon with papaya. Talk to your doctor before using papya as a colon cleanser.
References
- "Diet and Nutrition;" Rudolph Ballentine; 1978
- "The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia;" Rebecca Wood, 1999
- "The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants;" Andrew Chevallier; 1996
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