When people are spending thousands of rupees every month on various slimming packages including laser, ultrasound and liposuction, 100 gm of papaya on an empty stomach in the morning is a guaranteed way to reduce weight and fight obesity. Ongoing research on this diabetic-friendly wonder fruit has proved the effectiveness of papaya in weight loss, say experts.
Ayurvedic physician Dr K. Jayakrishna said, “In overweight and obese people, the metabolic rate or BMR goes down. Papaya is rich in the enzyme papain, which aids the digestive process and increases metabolism which in turn helps in weight loss. Papain found in the fruit, is concentrated mainly in the skin of the fruit. Certain ayurvedic digestive tablets are prepared with the enzyme extract from the energy booster papaya.”
Calling the wonder fruit a goldmine of vitamins, minerals and fibre, Prof. N. Satya Prakash, principal, BRKR Government Ayurvedic Medical College, said, “The fruit contains a lot of fiber, is very low on protein, carbohydrates or fat content. It has just 3 kilocalories, and 0.1 gm of fat and 16 mg of phosphorus, all of which helps reduce obesity. So obese/overweight people can have three to four servings of this fruit throughout the day, starting with 100 gms of papaya in the morning. Caution should be taken to avoid other high calorie fruits like bananas, sapota, mangoes and grapes.”
Besides fighting obesity, the anti-oxidant carotenoid and bioflavanoid rich papaya is very good for lowering bad cholesterol, good for the skin, cardio vascular, immune and digestive system, provides protection against constipation and colon cancer and helps to treat sport injuries, point out doctors.