Papaya is an incredible fruit with a wide array of nutritional and therapeutic benefits. The ripe version of this fruit can be used as smoothies, juice, salads etc. And another interesting way to use it is as papaya water. Boil papaya cubes in water and cool it off before consumption.

Advantages of papaya water -

1. Richness of Vitamin C - Since Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin, boiling the papaya cubes in water and then consuming it after cooling is a great drink for Vitamin C. This vitamin leaches out in the water.

2. Immunity booster -Vitamin C content in this water is a great antioxidant for giving a boost to the body's immunity. It provides resistance against various infections.

3. Loads of Beta carotene - Since cooking or boiling the papaya in water also reduces its one half or one third levels of vitamin A and leaches it in the water, so this drink is also a good source of vitamin A, which is essential for vision.

4. Papain intactness -This yellowish orange coloured fruit contains a protease enzyme called papain, which helps to digest the protein ingested by an individual. It is heat-resistant, so whenever papaya is boiled in water to obtain papaya water, papain remains intact and helps in smooth bowel movements. Papain prevents bloating, gas and constipation and is gut-friendly.

5. Weight loss - If you have to attain the benefit of this fruit in weight loss, consume papaya water early in the morning as it helps to clean the intestinal contents and flush it out of the body. Also try to have the papaya cubes in this drink too. As this will aid in added benefits. This is because the cell walls of the papaya cubes would have been opened up on boiling, releasing its antioxidants such as lycopene and destroying the anti-nutrients in it.

6. Anti-inflammatory effect - Since the digestive enzyme present in papaya is heat resistant, so while making papaya water, it comes in the drink. Papain has shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties as it causes the release of cytokines.

7. Lycopene content - Although it stays the best to consume fruits raw to avail the benefits of its fibre content, but in some cases cooking enhances the levels of certain protective compounds. Such is the case of lycopene in papaya which is thermostable. Lycopene is trapped in the cell wall until a heat treatment is applied. This phytonutrient is helpful in preventing various types of cancer, cardioprotective and neuroprotective.

8. Deals with menstrual cramps - The protease enzyme in papaya water called papain is thermo-stable and it helps to regulate the blood blow in menses and provides immediate relief from uterine cramps.

9. Anti carcinogenic effect - This drink possesses strong anti carcinogenic properties due to the presence of phytonutrients, polyphenols and flavonoids in it. It benefits from colon, prostate and breast cancer.

 

Disadvantages of papaya water -

1. Low in fibre content - Consuming papaya water reduces the fibre content of this fruit, which eases the digestion and helps in bowel movements. Also consuming raw papaya will give more benefits than having its water. Eating any fruit in its natural and raw state provides with highest fibre.

Should it be consumed on an empty stomach?
Or what is the best time to consume it?

Although any fruit water (detox water on infused water) can be had at any time of the day, but having papaya water early in the morning will yield maximum benefits. This is because of the presence of papain enzyme in it which is gut friendly and removes the toxins from intestinal tract.

Is it advisable to drink it every day?
Should it be made fresh?

Yes this drink can be consumed everyday but should be made fresh as the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are lost on storage.

Although papaya can be consumed in many forms and eaten raw as well as ripe. But addition of papaya water acts as a strong antioxidant beverage. Also various phytonutrients and digestive enzymes increase in the bioavailability. So having papaya raw has advantages but its drink is also as beneficial.