Composition and calorie content of tea made from papaya leaves. Who benefits from drinking a drink, contraindications and brewing rules.
Papaya leaf tea is a drink made by brewing fresh or dried leaves of the melon tree. Currently, it is gaining popularity as an extremely useful infusion with many beneficial properties - from increasing immunity to treating oncology. The latter fact is associated with a special enzyme called papain, which is contained in the plant and has recently been actively tested for interaction with cancer cells. In support of the theory of the incredible benefits of exotic tea, it is also evidenced by the fact that residents of regions where the culture grows naturally, often use it in recipes for traditional medicine. Let's take a closer look at the beneficial effects of the drink and find out how to properly prepare and drink it.
Composition and calorie content of papaya leaf tea
The fruit itself is rich in many vitamins and minerals, and if you wish, you can study their exact quantitative characteristics, but less is known about the leaves of a tropical tree, which researchers are still looking at.
However, by far the most valuable component of the composition is the special enzyme papain, which is similar in principle to our own gastric protease enzyme, which is responsible for the digestion of protein products.
In addition, papaya leaves also contain, albeit in a smaller amount, the enzymes amylase (digestion of carbohydrates) and lipase (digestion of fats), there are also specific chymopapain A and B, glutamine transferase.
In addition to enzymes, the plant is rich in acids necessary for our body, especially malic, as well as fatty oils, resins, useful alkaloids, glycosides.
The calorie content of tea made from papaya leaves is zero if you drink it without sugar and other sweeteners, so those who are on a diet and think about introducing infusion into their diet should not worry and safely drink a healthy broth.
Health benefits of papaya leaf tea
Nowadays, when one or another product begins to be endowed with magical properties, one involuntarily has to wonder whether the properties are really so magical or whether it is a matter of competent marketing promotion. It is difficult to draw an unambiguous conclusion, however, when it comes to tropical melon tree, more arguments are still on the side of real benefits.
Here are the main health benefits of papaya leaf tea:
- Cancer prevention and treatment … Recently in the United States, scientists at the University of Florida, together with a group of Japanese colleagues, conducted a series of experiments with papain contained in the plant. As a result, it was found that it has an active effect on cancer cells, slowing down their growth and reproduction, while not negatively affecting healthy cells of the body. The rule works, which is remarkable for the oncology of any organs.
- Anesthetic effect … In addition, special plant proteins have been found in the composition of papaya leaves that have a strong analgesic effect, which is important for the treatment of many diseases.
- Fever treatment … In the homeland of the plant, tea is always used in the treatment of fever, especially the famous tropical Dengue fever. It lowers fever well and relieves symptoms in general, making it an excellent substitute for antipyretic drugs with numerous side effects.
- Improves stomach function … The broth helps better digestion of food, as it acts as a source of additional digestive enzymes. Thus, a drink can already replace two groups of pharmacological agents - antipyretic and enzymatic. It is great to drink a cup of tea not as it should at the end, but at the beginning of the feast, so that it is easier for the body to digest more than usual amount of food.
- Has a beneficial effect on intestinal motility … According to Ayurveda, medicinal tea also helps other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. In particular, it contributes to the normal production of bile, protects against the formation of stones in the gallbladder, enhances peristalsis and helps to remove toxins faster, normalizes the microflora in general and has an antiparasitic effect, since it contains the glycoside carpaine. This substance has already been studied several times, and its activity against pathogens has been proven.
- Normalizes hormonal levels … The drink contains phytoestrogens, which has a positive effect on the hormonal balance, especially for women, and this, in turn, reduces the intensity of the premenstrual syndrome, and improves the regularity of the cycle.
- Improving the work of the cardiovascular system … The already mentioned carpain has a positive effect on the work of the heart, it normalizes the heart rate, helps to relieve hypertension.
- Beneficial effect on the skin … Again, papain, which we have already talked about, has an important therapeutic effect on the skin, it is often included in cosmetic products due to this. Papain is especially effective against inflammation of the skin, it also helps to remove signs of aging - wrinkles, age spots.
It should be noted that the healing drink as a whole has a positive effect on the body, increasing the immune forces, so it makes sense to introduce it into your diet.
