Papaya Can Improve Digestion and May Be Effective for Ulcers and Parasites

Papaya, commonly known as pawpaw, is a delicious tropical fruit with bright orange flesh that is sometimes used as a natural indigestion remedy. Papaya includes papain, a strong enzyme that helps you digest and absorb proteins in the food.

Because some people don't produce enough natural enzymes to fully digest their meals, using extra enzymes like papain might help them feel better. Although there hasn't been much research on papain's benefits, at least one study revealed that eating papaya concentrate consistently improved constipation and bloating in adults. Finally, papaya seeds have been used to treat intestinal parasites that can cause severe stomach pain and malnutrition when they live in the gut. Several studies have revealed that the seeds have antiparasitic properties and can increase the number of parasites passed into the stools of children.