Intake of pawpaw lowers disease risk – Dietician

A dietician with Garki Hospital, Abuja, Yemisi Olowookere, has said that the consumption of pawpaw fruit could ease digestion, protect eyes, heart and lower the risk of diseases like cancer.
Olowookere told the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday that good intake of pawpaw could protect the eyes against cataract, glaucoma and other chronic eye diseases.
She said: “Beta-carotene in pawpaw can be converted to vitamin A, which is necessary for healthy eyes and vision.
“Again, good intake of pawpaw will reduce the risk of developing age related macular degeneration as well as nourishes the skin.”
According to her, pawpaw is a good source of antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and special digestive enzymes that have significant effect both internally and externally.
Phytonutrients are nutrients derived from plant material that have been shown to be necessary for sustaining human life.
Antioxidants are believed to lower the risk of cancer, heart diseases and memory loss.
Olowookere also said that these nutrients could help protect the skin against free radicals known to cause damage that leads to wrinkles and other visible signs of ageing.
She added: “The enzyme papain in the flesh and coat of the pawpaw breaks down dead skin cells and helps promote skin renewal when used topically on the face or body.
“Papain is an enzyme, which is found naturally in unripe pawpaw.
“Pawpaw facial treatments are a popular way to improve the skin’s texture, elasticity and appearance.”
Olowookere said the enzyme could also be useful in the treatment of wounds and burns and even in treating skin problems like acne, blemishes and age spots.
She said that nutritious food could support the body’s natural defences, adding that pawpaw had certain nutrients which reduced cancer risk.
She said: “There are several important compounds that make pawpaw a beneficial super food for reducing the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
“The nutrient in pawpaw can hinder cancerous cells from growing and restrain the cancer from spreading.”
Olowookere, therefore, said that increasing the intake of antioxidants from fruits like pawpaw would help to improve blood flow to the heart and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.