{"id":74055,"date":"2019-12-24T08:00:07","date_gmt":"2019-12-24T16:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/?p=74055"},"modified":"2021-09-20T09:20:56","modified_gmt":"2021-09-20T16:20:56","slug":"papaya-enzyme-papain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/papaya-enzyme-papain\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Benefits of Papaya Enzyme (Papain) + Side Effects"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ll find papaya enzyme (papain) in papayas and in a number of dietary supplements. Not only does it enhance digestion and lower inflammation, but it may also help fight infections and improve wound healing. Keep reading to learn about its health benefits, dosage, and side effects.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What Is Papain?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Definition<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Papain is a <\/strong>digestive enzyme<\/strong><\/a> naturally found in papaya <\/strong>(Carica papaya<\/em>). It is a protease: an enzyme that breaks down proteins into amino acids, which aids digestion. Thanks to its protein-degrading action, papain is also often used as a meat tenderizer [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Papain is extracted from papaya latex<\/strong>, a milky fluid that oozes from the fruit, stem, and leaves of the plant. The fruit is the richest in it: the more unripe the papaya, the more active the papain<\/strong> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

People have long known about the papaya enzyme, using it to improve digestion and to lower pain<\/a>, swelling, and inflammation. Papain can reduce bloating, gas, and diarrhea. According to recent research, it may also combat inflammation and infections [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

You can get papaya enzyme by eating papayas… but you would need to eat plenty of mostly unripe fruits. You can spot unripe papayas by the green color of their skin. Alternatively, various papain supplements are widely available [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

What Does It Do?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Overall, the papaya enzyme or papain digests proteins<\/strong>, freeing amino acids the gut can absorb. Next, it blocks the growth of harmful gut bacteria<\/a>, maintaining a healthy microbiome<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Plus, it degrades gliadin<\/strong>: a component of gluten that causes problems in people with celiac disease [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n

Papain is also an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory<\/strong>. As such, it can neutralize excess free radicals that can build up and contribute to a number of chronic diseases [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Snapshot<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Here is an overview of the health benefits and risks of papaya enzyme [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n

Proponents:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
    \n
  • May improves digestion<\/li>\n
  • May speed up wound healing<\/li>\n
  • May lower oxidative stress & inflammation<\/li>\n
  • May help with infections & sore throat<\/li>\n
  • May reduce pain & muscles soreness<\/li>\n
  • May support dental health<\/li>\n
  • May protect the brain<\/li>\n
  • May reduce shingles symptoms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Skeptics:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
      \n
    • Insufficient evidence for some benefits<\/li>\n
    • Mild side effects, such as stomach pain<\/li>\n
    • Possible allergic reactions<\/li>\n
    • Likely unsafe for pregnant women<\/li>\n
    • Possible drug interactions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Health Benefits<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n