The liver is the main organ responsible for detoxifying the body, but is very vulnerable to foods containing chemicals, alcohol and an unhealthy lifestyle. According to Medical News Today, papaya is one of the fruits that can naturally detoxify the liver thanks to its high enzyme and strong antioxidants.
Ripe papaya is rich in the enzymes papain and chymopapain - two active ingredients that help aid digestion and reduce pressure on the liver when processing food. In addition, papaya contains high levels of vitamin C, vitamin A and flavonoids - substances that can neutralize free radicals, preventing liver cell damage.
A study in the Journal of Medicinal Food shows that papaya seed extract can reduce liver enzymes ALT and AST in people with mild hepatitis, while significantly improving liver function after a few weeks of use.
Housewives can support family members to detoxify their liver simply by using just enough in their daily menu:
- Eat 1 - 2 slices of ripe papaya every day in the morning or mid-afternoon.
- Do not eat more than 200g/day because papaya still contains natural sugar, which should be controlled if you have diabetes.
- You can use ripe papaya juice (without added sugar), mixed with a few slices of ginger to increase anti-inflammatory effects.
In addition to meat, papaya seeds also have a liver-protective effect, but should be used in the right amount (5 - 10 seeds/day, chewed thoroughly or ground in water) and not used in pregnant women.
