Papaya Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Introduction:

Isn’t it astonishing that papaya fruit juice with an agreeable musky tang, served at most brunches, would benefit health? Papaya is often seen in hues of yellow, orange, and green. It is a tropical fruit power-packed with nutrients. The scientific name of papaya is Carica Papaya, belonging to the family Caricaceae. Papaya is majorly produced in Central and South America. Papaya is said to be a multipurpose commercial food crop.1 Let us read more about this nutritious and colorful fruit loaded with benefits. 

Did you know?

• Drinking papaya juice can improve digestion and relieve constipation due to its high fiber content. source: fdc.nal.usda.gov
• Papaya juice contains an enzyme called papain, which can help reduce inflammation in the body. source: fdc.nal.usda.gov
• Regular consumption of papaya juice may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. source: fdc.nal.usda.gov
• The high vitamin A content in papaya juice promotes healthy skin and improves vision. source: fdc.nal.usda.gov
• Papaya juice is a natural remedy for menstrual pain and can help regulate menstrual cycles. source: fdc.nal.usda.gov

Nutritional Value of Papaya Juice:

• Water: 88.1 g
• Protein: 0.47 g
• Fat: 0.26 g  
• Carbohydrate: 10.8 g 
• Fibre: 1.7 g 
• Sugar: 7.82 g 
• Glucose: 4.09 g   
• Fructose: 3.73 g
• Calcium: 20 mg 
• Iron: 0.25 mg 
• Magnesium: 21 mg  
• Potassium: 182 mg
• Sodium: 8 mg 

Also Read: Apple Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Properties of Papaya Juice:

The phytoconstituents present in papaya juice may have the following properties: 

• a possible antioxidant  
• might help in wound healing  
• may act against microbes  
• may prevent the growth of fungi  
• may protect ulcer formation in the stomach  
• may help prevent and treat malaria anti-malarial properties  
• may prevent diabetes¹  
• may help in diarrhoea  
• may protect against cancer  
• may help reduce inflammation and swelling³  

Also Read: Grape Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

I highly recommend the consumption of papaya Juice in your daily diet routine. Papaya juice might be your ally in your weight loss journey. This fruit juice is low in calories, with only about 57 calories in a 100g product. According to studies, fruit has a significant potential to lower the risk of obesity. Drink a couple of glasses of fresh papaya regularly that may burn fat firsthand.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Potential Uses of Papaya Juice for Overall Health:

Papaya fruit juice may also show similar effects as that of papaya fruit. Therefore, there may be many benefits to drinking papaya juice.   

1. Potential Use of Papaya Juice in Ulcers

Papaya juice may have anti-ulcer activity. Studies were conducted on ulcer-induced rats where the consumption of papaya juice significantly reduced gastric acidity. Further studies on humans are required to check the anti-ulcer activity of papaya juice. However, you should consult your doctor if you have ulcers instead of self-medicating.¹ 

2. Potential Use of Papaya Juice in Immunity

The benefits of papaya juice for immunity have been observed in mouse models. This study showed that papaya juice might help improve immunity, specifically humoral immunity (producing antibodies responsible for fighting various disease-causing organisms). However, further studies on humans are required to know about the use of papaya juice in improving immunity.³ 

3. Potential Use of Papaya Juice in Diarrhoea

Studies have shown that ripe and raw papaya juice may be used for diarrhea. It may possess activity against gut pathogens. Studies conducted on rat models show the action of papaya juice against diarrhea. Further studies on humans need to be performed to study the use of papaya juice in diarrhea. You must seek medical advice if you are experiencing any discomfort when you have diarrhoea.³ 

4. Potential Use of Papaya Juice for Digestive Health

There are some papaya juice benefits for the stomach. Consumption of papaya after meals may help improve digestion and prevent bloating. Research shows papaya may increase iron absorption from rice-based meals in Indian women. In addition, papaya may be used in preparations to avoid constipation.⁴ 

5. Potential Use of Papaya Juice to heal a wound

Studies have shown that papaya enzymes like papain and chymopapain may help reduce inflammation and heal wounds. Papaya helps in quick wound healing, being rich in fibrin, an essential factor in blood clotting. However, in case of injury, please consult a doctor instead of self-medicating with papaya.⁴ 

6. Potential Use of Papaya Juice for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration refers to damage to the macular part of the retina. Vitamin A may help reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Papaya contains carotenoids which may be a good source of vitamin A. So, taking papaya might help with preventing age-related macular degeneration. You should consult your doctor if you are experiencing trouble with your vision instead of self-medicating.⁴  

7. Potential Use of Papaya Juice for Cancer

Firstly, papaya juice is a source of vitamin A, which may be beneficial for lung cancer Studies have shown the possible protective actions of Vitamin A against lung inflammation⁴. Therefore, the consumption of papaya juice may help in the case of lung cancer. Secondly, papaya juice is a good source of lycopene which may be used to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. A study observed that lycopene-rich food like papaya juice might help prevent prostate cancer. However, as cancer is a serious disease, you should consult your doctor instead of self-medicating.⁴  

I read that the juice obtained from pressing papaya leaves is also beneficial. Studies suggest that alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticancer activities, are abundantly present in this liquid. Papaya leaf tincture may frequently be used in dealing with dengue fever as it potentially encourages platelet production.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

8. Potential Use of Papaya Juice for Fungal and Bacterial Infections

Papaya juice may possess antibacterial and antifungal properties. The antifungal activity might be because of proteins and chitinase enzymes in papaya juice. Chitinase may also be responsible for its antibacterial activity. However, further studies need to be conducted for the large-scale use of papaya juice for its antibacterial and antifungal action. You must consult your general practitioner to treat any bacterial or fungal infection.⁴  

Though studies show the benefits of papaya juice in various conditions, these are insufficient, and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of papaya juice on human health.  

Also Read: Cranberry Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

From my observations, a life-threatening illness, such as fatty liver, that may result in liver cirrhosis, may be avoided with papaya juice. According to the studies, the number of lipids in the liver dramatically decreased and inflammatory processes subsided in a group of experimental individuals who drank papaya juice every day for 12 weeks.

Dr. Smita barode, BAMS, M.S.

How To Use Papaya Juice?

Papaya juice can be used in the following ways: 

• Papaya juice can be consumed as a part of the food.  
• To make papaya juice, first, dice the papaya into small pieces. Next, blend the papaya and make a puree of proper consistency. You can add water as required for a desirable consistency. It can also be strained using a muslin cloth for a smooth consistency. The papaya juice is now ready to be consumed. 

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Likewise, do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a doctor. 

Side Effects of Papaya Juice:

Papaya juice side effects are as follows: 

• may cause yellowing of soles and palms due to excessive consumption 
• may cause inflammation of the stomach lining 
• may cause wheezing 
• may cause nasal congestion 
• may irritate the stomach⁵ 

If you experience any adverse reactions to papaya juice, immediately seek medical help from your doctor.

Precautions to Take with Papaya Juice:

General precautions must be followed before consuming papaya juice: 

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women should take extra precautions before drinking papaya juice. In addition, you must consult your doctor before consuming papaya juice during this period.⁶ 
• If you have a latex allergy or papain allergy, you must be cautious before consuming papaya juice.⁶ 

Interactions with Papaya Juice:

Papaya juice may interact with the following medications: 

• Papaya juice may interact with Amiodarone (taken in case of heart abnormalities). It may increase the blood level and adverse effects of Amiodarone. 
• A large amount of papaya juice may reduce the effect of Levothyroxine. 
• Papaya juice may cause the blood sugar level to drop too low if taken along with anti-diabetic drugs. 
• Papaya juice may increase the effect of warfarin (which is taken to prevent the formation of clots).⁶ 

You should not stop or alter your ongoing medicines. You should consult your doctor before consuming papaya juice if you are taking any other medications. However, if you experience discomfort after consuming papaya juice, you must seek medical help.  

Also Read: Lemon Water: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References:

1. Vij T, Prashar Y. A review on medicinal properties of Carica papaya Linn. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease. 2015;5(1):1–6. [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 31]. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2222180814606174 

2. Food Data Central [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 31]. Available from: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169926/nutrients 

3. Sharma A, Bachheti A, Sharma P, Bachheti RK, Husen A. Phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, nanoparticle fabrication, commercial products and waste utilization of Carica papaya L.: A comprehensive review. Current Research in Biotechnology. 2020 Nov 1;2:145–60. [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 31]. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590262820300162 

4. Amanat Ali, Sankar Devarajan, Mostafa Waly, Mohamed M. Essa. Nutritional and Medicinal Values of Papaya (Carica Papaya L.) [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 31]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324418355

5. G. Aravind, Debjit Bhowmik, Duraivel S, Gudivada Harish. Traditional and medicinal uses of Carica papaya [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 31]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285028880_Traditional_and_medicinal_uses_of_Carica_papaya 

6. Papaya: MedlinePlus Supplements [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 31]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/488.html#Dosage 

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