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15 Reasons To Eat More Of This Delicious Tropical Fruit, And Don’t Forget The Seeds!
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2. Protection from Heart Disease
Papayas are rich in vitamins E, C, and A, all of which are powerful antioxidants in the body. Eating papaya on a regular basis can help prevent diabetic heart disease and atherosclerosis. The important vitamins in papaya help to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in the body, which is one of the underlying causes of most strokes and heart attacks. The high fiber in papaya is also an excellent way to reduce high cholesterol, which will further reduce your risk of heart disease and an untimely heart attack or stroke.
3. Supports Healthy Bones
Although most of us think of calcium when it comes to our bones, without vitamin K, our bodies would not be able to use the calcium we consume to keep our bones healthy. People who are low on vitamin K have been linked in studies to having a higher risk of developing bone fractures. Eating plenty of foods that are rich in vitamin K, such as papaya, is important if you want to have strong, healthy bones all of your life.
4. Improves Your Digestion
Papayas contain an important digestive enzyme called papain, which breaks down the tougher fibers that are in protein, which will greatly improve the overall digestion process. Papaya is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, which also improves digestion and feeds the important good bacteria in the digestive tract. This fruit also contains beta-carotene, folates, vitamin E and vitamin C, which has been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Eating papaya seeds can help to remove internal parasites and worms due to their high levels of carpaine, an anthelmintic alkaloid, and proteolytic enzymes.
5. Prevents Asthma
Studies have shown that people who consume diets high in beta-carotene, which is found in foods such as carrots, apricots, pumpkins, cantaloupe, and, of course, papaya, have a lower risk of developing asthma. That makes papaya the perfect fruit to feed your young children, as they are at the highest risk of developing respiratory problems such as asthma.
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