The papaya fruit is popular for its ripe variety which is in the color orange. However, what other people don’t know is that the unripe papaya or the green ones are as good as the ripe ones. More often, the ripe or orange papayas are being sold more in the market than the unripe or the green ones. Well, actually the orange ones aren’t the only one, which is healthy. The unripe or green papayas as well are packed with numerous health benefits. Furthermore, the health benefits of unripe papaya are all impressive and are surprising. If you want to learn more about this amazing fruit, continue reading on to this article.
What is Unripe or Green Papaya?
The green papaya is the less popular variety of papaya. The most common papaya variety is the orange or the ripe or orange ones. the orange or ripe papaya is native to the countries of Hawaii, Thailand, and some parts of Japan. On the other hand, the green variety or the unripe papaya traces its origin in the regions of Mexico and various parts of Asia.
The unripe papaya has green outer skin color, and its interior is in light green color, which has a lot of seeds. Actually, the consistency and the texture of the unripe papaya is close to that of the mango. However, its taste is not that sweet, unlike the regular papaya.
The papaya’s seeds and flesh are edible. The taste of the papaya seed is actually slightly peppery, and sometimes dried and ground up to become a spice. The papaya fruit actually grows on its tree, which reaches approximately 12 feet in height. Because of the differences of the ripe (orange) and unripe (green) papaya, the green ones are more popular as a vegetable rather than a fruit.
Green Papaya: What are its nutrition?
The green papaya has an amazing profile of its nutrients. This includes the rich levels of folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Furthermore, it also has high levels of various antioxidants, iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Moreover, there are also just small amounts of cholesterol and fat in this variety of papaya. Additionally, the unripe papaya has much lesser calories, in fact, in a 100 gram serving of the green papaya, there are just 40 calories in it. It also contains polyphenols and carotenoids. Plus ample amounts of various amino acids and lycopene that are essential for the body.
Health Benefits of Papaya
Here are some of the best health benefits of papaya:
Helps in protecting the pregnancy. The significant amount of folate in the green papaya is beneficial in preventing any neural tube defect in abbacies in the womb.
It helps in relieving the menstrual pain. The active ingredient in the unripe papaya is good for relieving the inflammation in the menstrual pain.
Helps in boosting the immune system. Since even just a single serving of the unripe papaya is oozing with vitamin C, it is beneficial in boosting the immunity. Furthermore, it also helps in stimulating the white blood cell production and giving protection against infections.
Helps in treating heart diseases. The potassium content of the unripe papaya is very high. Hence, it is beneficial in controlling the blood pressure level. thus preventing and treating various cardiovascular illnesses.
Helps in digestion. the fiber that is present in the unripe papaya is beneficial in optimizing the digestion. Furthermore, it also helps in raising the feeling of fullness. Improving the uptake of nutrients, and balancing the pH balance in the stomach.
Helps in adding additional care to the skin. since the unripe papaya has rich levels of vitamin C, amino acids, and vitamin E, it is essential for the prevention of aging. Furthermore, it is good for getting rid of the signs of aging like age spots, blemishes, and wrinkles as well.
How is Papaya Safe?
Even though there are numerous health benefits of unripe papaya, there are some contradictions and side effects in it as well. The same as some other fruits and vegetables out there in the market. The following are some of the things that must be taken into account before consuming papaya excessively:
Toxicities. The papaya has some of its parts that have benzyl isothiocyanate that may cause poisoning when you consume it excessively.
Side effects. The papaya latex present in the fruit may become an irritant and vesicant in the skin at the same time. Furthermore, the papaya seed and juice may unlikely cause side effects when you take them orally.
Nursing or pregnancy. The fruit may be is unsafe to those who are pregnant or nursing women. However, this depends on the part of the plant that they use.
Contradictions. The papaya (ripe or unripe) may cause a severe allergic reaction. Hence it is not good fro those who have a sensitive stomach or those who are allergic to it.
