Pawpaw is an edible tropical fruit which comes from the order of order of Brassicales, genus of Carica and from the family of Caricaceae. They usually grow in tropical climates places and also called carica papaya botanically. They are sweet taste, vibrant colour and juicy. They were first discovered in Southern Mexico and Central America.
The fruit is commonly spherical to cylindrical in form, is 75 to 500 mm (3 to 20 inches) or even more in length, and sometimes weighs as much as 9 to 11.5 kg (20 to 25.5 pounds). The very juicy flesh is deep yellow or orange to salmon-coloured. Along the walls of the large central cavity are attached the numerous round, wrinkled black seeds. The unripe fruit contains a milky juice in which is present a protein-digesting enzyme known as papain, which greatly resembles the animal enzyme pepsin in its digestive action. This juice is used in the preparation of various remedies for indigestion and in the manufacture of meat tenderizers.
Papayas are usually grown from seed. Their development is rapid, with fruit being produced before the end of the first year. Under favourable conditions, a plant may live five years or more.
Below are some health Benefits of pawpaw:
- IT AIDS IN THE PREVENTION OF HEART DISEASE.
The fiber, potassium, and vitamin content in papaya all help to ward off heart disease. An increase in potassium intake along with a decrease in sodium intake is the most important dietary change that a person can make to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.
- IT IMPROVES DIGESTION.
Papayas contain an enzyme called papain that aids digestion; in fact, it can be used as a meat tenderizer. Papaya is also high in fiber and water content, both of which help to prevent constipation and promote regularity and a healthy digestive tract.
- IT CURBS IN THE CHANCES OF GETTING CANCER.
Consuming the antioxidant beta-carotene, found in papayas, may reduce cancer risk. Among younger men, diets rich in beta-carotene may play a protective role against prostate cancer, according to a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Biomarkers.
- ASTHMA PREVENTION.
The risk of developing asthma is lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients is beta-carotene, contained in foods like papaya, apricots, broccoli, cantaloupe, pumpkin, and carrots.
REFERRENCES:
- PAWPAW – COLLINS DICTIONARY. N.D. RETRIEVEVED 2014-09-25.
- CARICA 2013.
ARTICLE BY ANUM JUSTICE GIDEON OBODAI.