Health Benefits of Green and Orange Papayas

Green and orange papayas are both members of the fruit family Caricaceae, which is mostly native to South America and includes the mountain papaya and the babaco fruit. There is a common misconception that these are two different fruits. In fact, green and orange papayas are the same fruit. The key difference is the stage of their development when they are picked – papayas on the tree start out green and become orange later in life. This means that these two types of papaya are very different in terms of flavour, texture, and nutritional profile, so it is helpful to know which nutrients can be found in which type of papaya. This blog will delve into the nutritional differences and health benefits of green and orange papayas to inspire you to include both in your diet. So let's delve deep into the nutritional profiles and the papaya benefits.

Nutritional Profiles of Green and Orange Papaya

As the papaya grows and matures, the nutritional content changes dramatically. Here are a few key differences between them:

Vitamin Content

Green papayas are very rich in vitamin C, the same compound found in kiwis and citrus fruits. This vitamin has antioxidant properties, and supports immune and skin health. Orange papayas contain less vitamin C than green papayas but make up for this with their high beta-carotene content. Beta-carotene is absorbed by the body as vitamin A, which contributes to eye health. Beta-carotene is also what gives orange papayas their colour. 

Dietary Fibre

Because they are less mature, green papayas are generally higher in dietary fibre than orange papayas. This helps regulate the digestive system, promoting regular bowel movements and stopping constipation. Orange papayas have less fibre than green, but still are very useful for promoting gut health.

Enzymes

Both green and orange papayas contain an enzyme called papain, which is only found in papaya fruit. Papain is found in the juice of raw papayas, meaning green papayas have slightly more papain than orange. This enzyme is a kind of protease, helping break down proteins to alleviate symptoms of bloating and indigestion. It is also speculated that papain might contain substances that fight infections and help the body heal wounds.

Now that we know the ways green and orange papayas differ in terms of nutrients, we can dive deeper into the various papaya health benefits.

Immune System Support

Both green and orange papayas are high in vitamin C, which is vital for the protection and support of the immune system. Though green papayas contain a higher amount of vitamin C, the beta-carotene (vitamin A) in orange papayas gives the body a little extra immune support.

Digestive Health

Green papayas in particular are highly beneficial for proper gut functioning. As well as a large dose of dietary fibre, green papayas also provide the enzyme papain, which helps break down proteins that might be hard to digest otherwise. Orange papayas contain smaller amounts of these compounds but are still a tasty way to support the digestive system.

Skin Health

The vitamin C in papayas goes beyond simply protecting the immune system. It also plays a key role in the production of collagen, a compound that keeps your skin looking soft and vibrant. Collagen also helps prevent premature aging. What is more, the beta-carotene in orange papayas prevents skin dryness and protects the skin barrier from damage.

Antioxidant Properties

As well as vitamin C, papayas also contain flavonoids and carotenoids, antioxidants that shield your cells from attack by free radicals. By reducing oxidative stress on the body, these compounds lower your risk of chronic illness later in life. They also help reduce inflammation, which benefits your skin and your joints. It is important to note that wherever possible, you should choose organic papayas for your meals – organic food often has a higher nutrient content than processed food, so you can avail yourself of more of the papaya benefits.

FAQs

What are some flavour differences between green and orange papayas?

Green papayas are generally less sweet than orange papayas, with a little hint of tanginess coming from vitamin C and malic acid. Green papayas’ under ripeness also gives them an almost vegetable-like flavour in some cases, which means they can be used in savoury as well as sweet dishes. Orange papayas are much sweeter and juicier because of the development of natural fructose over time. This stage of papaya is much more used in sweet foods like desserts or fruit smoothies or can be enjoyed as a standalone snack.

Are papayas eaten in the Middle East?

How can I ripen a green papaya at home?

The process of ripening a green papaya at home is slower than if it were still on the tree, but you can ripen your papaya by putting it in a paper bag with a ripe banana – ripe bananas produce ethylene gas in small amounts, which helps other fruits ripen. You can tell if a papaya is ripe when it has a yellow-orange skin and yields to gentle pressure. 

Are there any health risks linked with green or orange papayas?

Papayas are usually safe to eat for most people. However, people with latex allergies might wish to avoid green papayas because of their latex content. Also, papain enzyme can stimulate contractions in pregnant women. For more detailed advice on health risks and allergies, consult a medical professional.

In conclusion, both green and orange papayas can offer you myriad health benefits, which is even more interesting when you remember that these two are actually the same fruit. Whatever stage of development you enjoy your papaya at, you can be sure that your body will thank you for putting papayas on your plate. If you’re looking to be inspired with fruit smoothie recipes, then these delicious recipes from Originz will give you what you need!

Further Read,

• Health Benefits of Carrots

• Fresh Foods vs Frozen Foods

• Benefits of Green Beans for Weight Loss