Drink Papaya Juice to Cure Constipation

Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems you may experience. It is also the problem you are most likely to ignore, believing that it will be cured by itself. The fact is that once you start eating right, it does tend to disappear. However, frequent and prolonged spells of constipation can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. One of the best natural remedies for constipation is papaya, because it contains natural enzymes and laxatives in abundance. It has been used by indigenous cultures cure indigestion and constipation for ages.

What causes constipation?

Constipation is the irregular and often painful movement, or lack of movement, of the bowel involving the expulsion of feces from the body. This usually happens because of dehydration, vitamin deficiencies, lack of fiber in the diet, hormonal change, diseases, and side effect of drugs. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, bad breath and a coated tongue, according to 'Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine'. Constipation usually disappears by itself after a certain period of time, depending upon its severity. However, if left untreated, it can sooner or later lead to serious health problems such as bowel obstruction, reduced nutrients absorption, colitis, hemorrhoids and hernia. Moreover, if toxins are not regularly expelled from the bowel, they may be absorbed back into the bloodstream. This may lead to other health problems.

What ingredients does papaya contain?

Papaya is a slight sweet and musky-spelling fruit native to the warm, tropical regions around the equator. It is rich in antioxidants such as carotenoids and flavonoids. It also contains vitamins A, B9, C, E, K, magnesium and potassium. But most importantly for constipation, it contains a natural enzyme called papain, which helps digest protein and thereby prevent the accumulation of partially digested protein in the large intestine. Partially unripe papaya is best for constipation because it contains the most papain. Papaya also contains insoluble fiber which helps the movement of bowel in the intestine.

How is papaya juice more beneficial than papaya fruit?

Papaya juice has more concentration of papain than papaya fruit, but less insoluble fiber, both of which help relieve constipation. If you use the juicer you will lose the fiber, but retain most of the water and papain. If you blend the fruit, you can get both but that won't be easy to drink. In any case, papaya contains laxatives that help peristalsis, which is a pattern of muscle contraction that propels food through the esophagus and intestines. This triggers the need to expel the feces, which helps relieve constipation.

Other benefits of papaya juice

Other benefits of drinking papaya juice include relief from chronic diarrhea, piles and lower cholesterol level. It can also prevent infection by intestinal parasite, formation of kidney stones, and colon cancer, according to 'Prescription for Nutritional Healing'. Adding pineapple juice boosts papaya's digestive properties; and adding figs boosts is laxative properties. Consuming unripe papaya can induce labor in pregnant women, so they should avoid it if they want to avoid premature labor.