Papaya contains papain, a proteolytic enzyme that offers natural digestive support. Papain and other papaya compounds may improve gut health along with helping to ward off multiple chronic diseases.
Story at a Glance
- Papaya (Carica papaya) contains papain, a powerful proteolytic enzyme.
- Papain is a natural digestive enzyme that’s historically been used not only for improving digestion but also to relieve pain, inflammation, and diarrhea.
- Papain was found to decrease potentially disease-causing proteobacteria while increasing beneficial Akkermansia muciniphila in mice, suggesting beneficial effects on the gut microbiota.
- Increasing evidence supports the use of fruit proteases like papain to prevent colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
- Papain has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which show promise for reducing symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases.
Papaya (Carica papaya) contains papain, a proteolytic enzyme useful for breaking down both protein and carbohydrates. Papain is so powerful that papaya is often recommended as a natural meat tenderizer.1
Joseph Mercola
Author
Dr. Joseph Mercola is the founder of Mercola.com. An osteopathic physician, best-selling author, and recipient of multiple awards in the field of natural health, his primary vision is to change the modern health paradigm by providing people with a valuable resource to help them take control of their health.
