A healthy gut leads to a healthy body. Digestive health is about more than just avoiding bloating and staying as comfortable as possible; your gut is also responsible for regulating functions like your metabolism, immunity, and even your emotional health.
For this reason, making gut health a priority is one crucial part of keeping your overall health in great shape. And as it turns out, one of the best ways to do that is by adding the right foods to your diet. Luckily, there are plenty of foods out there that can not only cleanse your gut and restore balance in your microbiome, but also do wonders for your health by aiding in the prevention of age-related issues. That includes one tropical fruit.
To discover one of the best gut-cleansing fruits that can support a healthy body as you age, we spoke to nutritionists Mary Sabat and Krutika Nanavati. They told us about one lesser-appreciated choice you should consider adding to your diet: papaya.
Papaya And Other Age-Related Issues
On top of improving your digestive health, papaya is chock-full with other benefits that can allow you to maintain your health as you age. "The antioxidants present in papaya, like lycopene and vitamin C, contribute towards reducing inflammation, a common issue with aging," Nanavati tells us. "These antioxidants also help fight against oxidative stress, thereby reducing the risk of several diseases, including heart conditions and certain types of cancers. The high Vitamin A content in papaya helps protect vision, an aspect often compromised with age."
Sabat points out that the antioxidants in papaya are also great at "protecting the skin from oxidative stress, promote collagen production, and maintain skin elasticity," which "can be particularly beneficial in combating signs of aging, such as wrinkles and age spots." In fact, vitamin C-rich foods like this are some of the best foods you can eat for your skin.
Additionally, she says, "the vitamin C content in papaya contributes to a healthy immune system, which can become more crucial as one ages, as immune function tends to decline over time."
Finally, papaya could help you maintain your bone health. "Papaya contains nutrients like vitamin K, calcium, and magnesium that are important for maintaining strong and healthy bones, which can be particularly relevant in aging populations prone to osteoporosis," Sabat says. Adding foods like this to your diet, while limiting your intake of harmful ones, can be one great step towards healthier bones.
How Papaya Cleanses Your Gut And Aids Digestion
When was the last time you ate some juicy papaya? According to Nanavati and Sabat, it could be the answer to your digestion prayers by cleansing your gut. "Papaya is packed with a digestive enzyme called 'papain,' which aids in the breakdown of proteins in your food, promoting smoother digestion," Nanavati explains. "The fibrous content of this tropical fruit further aids the digestive process by adding bulk to the stool, thereby preventing constipation and promoting regular bowel movements."
Sabat seconds this sentiment, noting that this fruit "can assist in reducing bloating, constipation, and other digestive discomforts." In addition to the digestive enzyme and fiber content, she says, papaya also offers up anti-inflammatory properties.
"Papaya contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help soothe the digestive tract and reduce inflammation, potentially alleviating symptoms of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)," Sabat says.
Hydration, thanks to the high water content of papaya, is another major plus for your digestion. There are wins all around from this fruit!
The bottom line
While the best way to maintain a balanced gut and healthy digestion is to implement a range of healthy habits into your everyday life, one of the most important steps you can take is to add gut-friendly foods to your diet. It's unlikely that papaya will make all your digestive issues go away for good, but eating more of it can certainly be a great idea for both your taste buds and your body. Why not mix it up with some other nutritious fruits for a delicious fruit salad?
