Not everyone knows that eating the fruit of angels or papaya helps fight cholesterol and high blood pressure. Papaya is an exotic fruit, similar in shape to a pear, which is easily found on the market at any time of the year. It is a very nutritious food that has many health benefits and, therefore, recommended for a healthy and balanced diet. Christopher Columbus himself, it is said, appreciated the taste so much that he called papaya “fruit of the angels”. The fruit, in fact, originated in Central and South America in Mexico but is now grown in many parts of the world. It can be eaten raw when ripe. If it is unripe, however, it should be cooked first, especially during pregnancy (it contains a lot of latex that it could stimulate contractions)

Fruit of the angels or papaya: properties and health
benefits The benefits of papaya are many: it prevents cholesterol because it is a fruit that is rich in fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants
helps you lose weight: a medium-sized papaya contains only 120 calories. Furthermore, weight loss is enhanced by the fact that the fruit contains a considerable amount of fiber, such as to give a sense of satiety;
increases immune capacity: a single papaya satisfies over 200% of the daily requirement of vitamin C, thus making it ideal for building a stronger immune system;
despite being a sweet fruit, papaya contains few sugars. That is why diabetics are advised to include this food in their diet. Furthermore, vitamins and phytonutrients contained in papaya prevent the development of heart disease and, precisely, diabetes.

Papaya for arthritis: rich in vitamins
Not everyone knows that papaya is rich in vitamin A and flavonoids that keep the mucous membranes of the eyes healthy; protects against arthritis, because the fruit contains anti-inflammatory properties which, together with vitamin C, help prevent disease; improves digestion, since papaya contains an enzyme – papain – that helps improve digestive health; helps relieve menstrual pain, again thanks to the enzyme just mentioned; prevents the signs of aging, because papaya is rich in vitamins C and E and in anti-oxidants such as beta-carotene; promotes hair growth, thanks to vitamin A which is used in the production of sebum, an essential compound for keeping hair smooth, shiny and hydrated; by virtue of the richness of beta-carotene,

Papaya: contraindications
The fruit of the papaya angels is good for health because it fights high cholesterol and high blood pressure but there are some contraindications or the seeds. The black seeds of the papaya, as they contain traces of an enzyme, called hornbeam, which is a potentially toxic substance: it can even lead to paralysis or cardiac depression.