THE BENEFITS OF FERMENTED GREEN PAPAYA

Papaya is a fruit that is high in essential nutrients and antioxidants, including vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium. Papaya contains papain, a proteolytic enzyme that may help treat and prevent a number of conditions. Fermented green papaya provides a number of potential health benefits.

Identification

Most of the research on papaya uses fermented papaya preparation, or FPP. To make FPP, fresh papaya leaves and fruit are aged slowly over a few months. The fermented substance is then dried and ground into a fine powder, which can be consumed by itself or added to food. The powder dissolves quickly when taken orally. Japanese scientists created FPP after noticing that people who consumed high amounts of papaya realized potential health benefits.

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Antioxidants and Free Radicals

Fermented green papaya is high in antioxidants, according to the Heart Spring website. Antioxidants help to prevent damage done to cells by free radicals. Antioxidants donate an extra electron to the free radical, which helps stop the domino effect and prevent further free radical damage. Free radicals contribute to the aging process and the development of many different diseases. Eating a diet high in antioxidants, including fermented green papaya, can help to prevent or slow down free radical damage.

Diabetes

Fermented papaya may help to prevent diabetes mellitus. A study published in “Preventive Medicine” in May 2012 examined the role of fermented papaya in the management of diabetes. Previous research had suggested that plant-based diets lower oxidative stress, which can contribute to diabetes or to complications of diabetes. Researchers conducted a randomized clinical trial in which they gave some subjects FPP for 14 weeks. Those who consumed the fermented papaya had less C-reactive protein levels and improved uric acid levels, both of which are biomarkers of diabetes.

Cancer

Researchers have examined papaya leaf extract as a substance with the potential for preventing cancer and tumor growth. Although researchers have not specifically tested fermented papaya, fermented papaya includes papaya leaves and has the same properties. In a study published in the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology" in February 2010, researchers found that papaya leaf extract inhibits the growth of tumor cell lines. Researchers used human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to determine how papaya affects tumor growth. Papaya leaf extract can alter your immune system, which may help treat or prevent cancer.

Other Benefits

Fermented papaya preparation may have other potential health benefits. The study published in “Preventive Medicine” found that FPP may help those at risk of cardiovascular and neurological diseases, as well as other conditions that are made worse by oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition, notes the Heart Spring website, FPP may increase the production of interleukin, a protein that plays an important role in healing wounds and minor infections. And FPP also helps the macrophage, a type of white blood cell, work faster to destroy bacteria, viral infections and free radical fragments.