Papaya is a tropical fruit that is known for its bright orange flesh, sweet taste, and many health benefits. Basically, its origin is from Central America but now grown worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions. We will go deep dive into blogs about papaya like “Is papaya good for diabetes?”, “ What are the Benefits of Papaya?”.
Papaya & Diabetes
Papaya is a fruit that is known to have many digestive health benefits but papaya has a lot of natural sugar which makes it a bit unhealthy for diabetic people because it may spike the blood sugar level. One cup of papaya contains appx. 8.3g of sugar. Although papaya is rich in nutrients like folate, magnesium, copper, potassium, lutein, and pantothenic acid. But "Is papaya good for diabetes?".
Is Papaya Good For Diabetes?
Papaya is a good fruit which has many benefits but the real question is, “Is papaya good for diabetes?”. In diabetes, When you take any food product, you must know its carbohydrate content and glycemic load because every food impacts your blood sugar level. So let's check the Nutritional value and Glycemic load.
Nutritional Value of Papaya
Water - 85%
Carbs - 10%
Fiber - 2%
Protein - 1%
Fat - 0%
Micronutrient in Papaya
Vitamin C
Vitamin A
Digestive Enzymes
Glycemic Load of Papaya
Glycemic load is very essential metric to decide "Is papaya good for diabetes?". So lets calculate the glycemic load of papaya
Glycemic Load (per 100g) = Glycemic Index*Carbs/100
The Glycemic Load = 60*10/100
The Glycemic Load = 6
The glycemic load of papaya is only 6 which is low. If your diabetic diet allows you to eat papaya then you can, but you must know that your daily glycemic load limit is under 25. If you want to eat papaya, one thing to keep in mind is the portion size because only 100g of papaya glycemic load is 6 so 1 kg of papaya glycemic load is 60. So the question was "Is papaya good for diabetes?", Yes, Papaya is good for diabetes patients but less than 100g is enough else it may spike the blood sugar level.
Benefits of Papaya
- Rich in Nutrients - It is rich in nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Folate, Fiber and Potessium. These nutrients play crucial roles in maintaining your overall health which makes it a fantastic fruit for people of all ages.
- Boosts Immunity - Papaya has vitamin C which is an immune booster which may boost your immune system.
- Good for Eye - Papayas contain vitamin A which is a very essential nutrient for maintaining healthy vision.
- Improve Digestion - Papaya has a digestive enzyme called papain. The enzymes digest the protein after breaking it down called Proteolytic Enzyme which helps in the digestion.
- Reduce Inflammation - When inflammation increases in our body. Papaya helps to reduce inflammation.
Can We Eat Papaya at Night?
Papaya has digestive benefits that can improve digestion. Papaya contains antioxidants like vitamins C and A, which may support overall health and sleep quality. So we can eat papaya at night because there is no side effect.
Is Papaya Good for Weight Loss?
As we answered the question "Is papaya good for diabetes" so the next question is "Is papaya good for weight loss?", Yes, papaya is good for weight loss because Papaya is low in calories which is around 60 calories per cup. It’s also high in dietary fibre. It’s high water content keeps you hydrated.
Can We Eat Papaya on an Empty Stomach?
Papaya has natural enzymes and fiber can quickly start digestion which makes it easier for your body to process other foods the whole day. Papaya’s natural sugar provides a quick source of energy. Eating papaya on an empty stomach is beneficial, but you have to know your body and adapt accordingly. If you feel any discomfort so consider having a small portion.
Conclusion
Papaya is a delicious and nutritious fruit with a wealth of benefits for your body, which boosts immunity and aids digestion to support heart health and enhance your skin. When question came "Is papaya good for diabetes?". Yes, whether you’re trying to eat healthier, manage diabetes, or simply enjoy a new fruit, papaya is a great choice. Its versatility makes it easy to include in any meal, and with all its health benefits, you can feel good about adding it to your diet.