Health Benefits of Papaya (Carica papaya, papaw, or pawpaw) The papaya is a large tree-like plant, with flowers similar in shape to the flowers of the Plumeria. It is indigenous to the tropics of the Americas, and was first cultivated in Mexico.

Including the delicious taste, papaya offers countless health benefits:

* Contains the enzyme papain that aids digestion
* Contains antioxidents, soluble high fiber content and vitamin C, A and E
* Rich source of beta carotene, folates, vitamin B, flavonoids, potassium, magnesium, and pantothenic acid
* This amalgamation of nutrients helps in improving cardiovascular health and can also help prevent cancers
* The fruit is low in sugar and therefore is tolerated by diabetics
* Regular consumption of papaya can help in the prevention of diabetes and atherosclerosis
* Papayas contain a high concentration of provitamin A carotenoid phytonutrients. These are very powerful antioxidants and are very good source of vitamins A, C, and E. All of these vitamins act as antioxidants and are able to rid the body of free radicals to prevent cancer
* The antioxidants also prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. This is important, as the cholesterol if it becomes oxidized, may begin to stick to the walls of arteries, making them smaller and causing hypertension. Cholesterol can form plaques in the blood vessels causing blood clots to form or forming arterial blockages themselves
* The fiber present in papayas can help bind the toxins that cause cancer
* In the colon, these toxins help in keeping the cancer causing toxins at bay
* The other nutrients contained in papaya are also known to reduce the risk of cancers, especially that of colon cancer
* These are good at reducing both external and internal inflammation
* In diseases which are worsened due to inflammation, like asthma, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis, the papaya fruit can be really beneficial
* Papaya will relieve nausea and motion sickness
* Macular degeneration is a natural degenerative disease that can be prevented by consuming at least three servings of papaya every day

Follow these links for more information:

http://www.healthnfitnesscare.com/health-benefits-of-papayas.html

http://www.elements4health.com/papaya.html

http://healthbenefits-of.org/2011/06/the-health-benefits-of-papaya.html

http://genuineaid.com/2009/02/27/papaya-fruit-nutrients-and-benefits/

A link to the book, “The Medicine Tree” follows:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0846451999?ie=UTF8&tag=healtproduand-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0846451999