Papaya is a natural source of the enzymes papain and chymopapain, powerful digestive enzymes that help break down proteins, preventing the accumulation of undigested food in the small intestine.
Papain in papaya has the same ability to support the digestive system as pancreatic enzyme, especially useful for people with chronic digestive disorders.
Papaya is rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, along with vitamin C, folate and beta-carotene, which have been shown to help nourish the gut microbiome and prevent colitis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also classified papaya in its nutritional report as a "high-altitude digestive support tree" thanks to its ability to clean the intestines and reduce constipation without causing irritation.
Not only is eating papaya good, the time of eating directly affects the effectiveness of intestinal cleansing.
should eat papaya in the morning or between two meals, when the stomach is not full, low pH will help the papain enzyme function optimally.
Papaya should not be eaten immediately after main meals, because at this time the digestive tract is prioritizing the processing of complex foods ( studying protein, fat), reducing the activity of enzymes from fruit.
A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food showed that the group who ate 150g of papaya in the early morning for 2 consecutive weeks had a 30% increase in beneficial bacteria (lactobacillus) in their stools, while significantly reducing colitis markers (such as CRP and IL2) compared to the group who ate papaya after lunch.
How does papaya help clean the intestines?
Insoluble fiber promotes bowel movements, helping to clean up waste accumulated in the colon.
Papain helps digest excess protein, limiting food rot in the intestines, thereby reducing bloating and intestinal inflammation.
Antioxidants (vitamin C, beta-carotene) help heal inflamed intestinal lining, preventing leaky gut.
Natural prebiotics in papaya help nourish beneficial bacteria, creating a balance of gut microbiota.
According to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), a diet rich in papaya (2-3 times a week) combined at a reasonable time can help reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and prevent constipation in older adults.
Notes when eating papaya to support intestinal cleansing:
Choose naturally ripe papaya, avoid green fruit because it contains a lot of latex, which can cause intestinal cramps.
People with chronic diarrhea should not eat too much because papaya is laxative.
Avoid eating papaya on an empty stomach if you have stomach disease, because strong enzymes can cause pain.
Do not take papaya with anticoagulants as it can increase the risk of mild bleeding.
