Aging is a slow and continuous process. We don’t realize that as we age our bodies get weaker and weaker. Our body health decreases and we become more susceptible to diseases and illnesses. One needs to maintain proper digestion functions to ensure that the body can absorb enough nutrients for repairs of dying body cells. This helps in ensuring that one stays healthier. A diet with papaya will go a long way in keeping one healthy.
Importance of Papaya in Digestion
- Aids in digestion
Although little research has been carried out to validate this claim, papaya improves digestion. Proteolytic enzyme exists in the fruit in high concentration when it is ripe. It is one of the enzymes believed to aid digestion. Research carried out by University of Illinois at Urbana in the year 2012 indicates that the fruit acts as an aid in digestion. The study found out that enzymes found in papaya are active in the acidic environment of the stomach. These enzymes include papain, chymopapain, glycyl endopeptidase and caricain. They are even more active on foods that contain meat or other forms of concentrated proteins. These acids help in protein breakdown while at the same time providing a good source of fermentable substances that help improve health. Aging people need more supply of proteins for body build up. This makes papaya ideal for their body health.
- Reduces internal parasites
Papaya fruits and seeds have been found to have potent microbial activity. This is a result of a study that was conducted and published in the “Journal of Medical Food” back in 2007. This makes the fruit very ideal for fighting intestinal parasites and improving digestive health. Improved digestive health increases the rate of food absorption in the intestines leading to improved body nourishment. A parasite infected digestive track causes stomach upsets that might include pain and general discomfort. These conditions will hinder one from eating well, thus losing important nutrient to parasites.
- Helps digestive disorder
Digestive disorders limit the amount of food one eats and the rate at which this food is digested and absorbed in the body. A study in which people with digestive disorders were given concentrated papaya supplements for 40 days recorded significant improvement. Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome included bloating and constipation were recorded to have cleared. This led to a considerable increase in food intake, digestion and absorption among those treated. To the elderly who suffers regular constipation and bloating as their digestive track becomes ineffective in digesting food, papaya will give them relief.
Scholars have argued that the use of papaya is more helpful in digestion when eaten raw compared to when it is eaten ripe. The importance of the fruit to aging people is even multiplied when it is taken on an empty stomach as compared to after a meal. If aging people considered adding papaya to their diet, they are much more likely to live a more healthy life.
References
http://superfoodprofiles.com/papaya-enzymes-digestion
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=47
http://stomachbloating.net/papaya-enzyme-benefits-for-digestive-health/
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