Is Papaya Good for High Blood Pressure? Let's Find Out!

Table of Content

• What is the Nutritional Value of Papaya?

• Papaya and High Blood Pressure: What is the Connection?

• Is Papaya Good for High Blood Pressure?

• How to prepare Papaya for High Blood Pressure?

• How much papaya should you eat per day to lower blood pressure?

• Who shouldn’t eat papaya?

• Other Health Benefits of Papaya

• Take-Home Points

• FAQ on Is Papaya Good for High Blood Pressure?

Introduction

Papaya, a tropical fruit, is known for its taste and vibrant colour. Papaya, also known as Carica papaya, the nutritional value of papaya lies in antioxidants, vitamins, and essential minerals.

Papaya can be used for high blood pressure, apart from these it has other benefits like helping in digestion, rejuvenating skin, anticancer properties etc.

In this blog, we’ll discuss whether is papaya good for BP patients or if is papaya good for high blood pressure. We will also discuss when is the best time to eat papaya? and how to prepare papaya for high blood pressure.

What is the Nutritional Value of Papaya?

The nutritional value of Papaya lies in its wide variety of nutrients and antioxidants. It contains antioxidants like lycopene which reduces the risk of heart disease, and stroke. Papaya is good for high blood pressure because of its properties.

1. Antioxidants: Papaya contains antioxidants like Vitamin A, C and E. Antioxidants help prevent DNA damage and vessel damage which improves heart health.

2. B complex vitamins: Papayas contain Vitamin B complex which includes thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, and folate, these help in metabolism, growth and development.

3. Fibres: The high fibre content in papaya helps regulate cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

4. Potassium: Potassium helps counterbalance the high sodium(leads to high Blood pressure) content which can control high blood pressure. Hence, we can use Papaya for High blood pressure as a supportive supplement.

5. Vitamin C: Vitamin C content in papaya helps boost immune system 

6. Folic acid: High folic acid in papaya helps in the conversion of homocysteine into less harmful amino acids. Homocysteine is found in meat products which is a risk factor for heart disease, therefore the nutritional value of papaya adds up in reducing the risk of heart disease. 

Nutritional facts: One small papaya (152 grams) contains:

• Calories: 59 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 15 grams

• Fibre: 3 grams 

• Protein: 1 gram

• Vitamin C: 157% of the RDA

• Vitamin A: 33% of the RDA

• Folate (vitamin B9): 14% of the RDA

• Potassium: 11% of the RDA

• Trace amounts of calcium, magnesium and vitamins B1, B3, B5, E and K.

Papaya and High Blood Pressure: What is the Connection?

Is papaya good for high blood pressure? What is the connection between High blood pressure and papaya? High blood pressure is defined by blood pressure of  >120/80 mm hg. High blood pressure or Hypertension is a chronic condition which needs medications as well as lifestyle modifications

Papaya can lower blood pressure because it contains various antioxidants and potassium. We can include papaya in high blood pressure as it contains: 

• Low sodium and High potassium: Papaya has very minimal to nil amount of sodium and a high amount of potassium. Sodium leads to water retention and can cause high BP. The high potassium in Papaya helps counterbalance sodium in our body causing decreased BP.

• Vitamin C: High doses of vitamin C can act as diuretics and lead to the excretion of sodium and water from the body which decreases Blood pressure. Vitamin C being an antioxidant also protects the inner lining of blood vessels.

• Vitamin E: Vitamin E can lead to decreased Blood pressure in mild hypertensive because of nitric oxide release and its antioxidant properties.

• Niacin and Folate: Daily intake of niacin has been shown to reduce blood pressure. Apart from this niacin also helps in improving HDL(good) cholesterol levels and in decreasing LDL(bad) cholesterol levels.

• High fibre: Studies have shown that increasing dietary intake of fibre has been linked to decreased cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. High fibre contents also control blood glucose which can help diabetic individuals. Diabetes is another risk factor for Hypertension.

Is Papaya Good for High Blood Pressure?

After discussing the connection between papaya and high blood pressure. Now the question comes: Is papaya good for high blood pressure? 

Papaya is rich in potassium, antioxidants and fibre. Fruits which are rich in potassium help in controlling blood pressure and in the long term one can include them in their diet. One such fruit having high potassium and low sodium content is papaya. Other fruits which are high in potassium are: 

1. Apples

2. Berries

3. Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges

4. Watermelon

5. Pomegranates

Papaya also contains high fibre content which can also help in lowering blood cholesterol and controlling blood pressure. Papaya has a Vitamin B complex which also contributes to controlling blood pressure.

So Is papaya good for high blood pressure? Yes, papaya is good for high blood pressure, one can include papaya in their diet. One must remember that high blood pressure or hypertension alone cannot be treated with papaya any other home remedies or any fruits alone. Treatment of hypertension includes medication with additional lifestyle changes in which one can supplement the treatment with papaya.

How to prepare Papaya for High Blood Pressure?

Papaya is good for high blood pressure but how to prepare papaya for high blood pressure? While buying papaya one can choose fresh papaya for maximum benefits, reddish-orange. Papaya for high blood pressure can be prepared in the following ways:

1. Pick for a locally grown papaya: Papaya are best when locally grown.

2. Refrigerate the papaya: Papaya’s best taste comes when it is refrigerated, although it can also be eaten raw.

3. Cut the fruit into half: Slice the papaya into two halves.

4. Scoop out the seeds: Papaya seeds are bitter, therefore scoop them out with the help of a spoon.

5. Rinse wash inside: Rinse wash inside to clean left-out seeds

6. Mix with a lemon:  Cut a quarter of a lemon and squeeze on top of the papaya. Lemon adds Vitamin C and also enhances the taste of papaya.

7. Scoop out the flesh: Scoop out the flesh with the help of a spoon, if the papaya is ripe, the flesh comes out easily.

There are other ways to prepare papaya for high blood pressure in Indian cuisine apart from eating it raw: 

1. Papaya stuffed paratha: Papaya can be stuffed in paratha, and spices can be added to make it more delicious.

2. Raw papaya pickle recipe: You can combine garlic, chillies, and mustard seeds to make a papaya pickle.

3. Papaya milkshake: Papaya milkshake can be prepared by grinding papaya in a grinder and mixing with a milkshake.

How much papaya should you eat per day to lower blood pressure?

After discussing it, is papaya good for hypertension? Let’s understand How much papaya should you eat per day to lower blood pressure? and when is the best time to eat papaya?

It is recommended to consume papaya in moderation as a part of a healthy balanced diet. A healthy adult can consume 1-2 cups of papaya regularly to get maximum benefit while not getting overloaded. Papaya contains Antioxidants like Vitamin A, C and E, potassium, folate, Vitamin B and other micronutrients.

When is the best time to eat papaya? Best time to eat papaya is in the morning or between meals. It suppresses hunger and maintains blood glucose because of its high fibre content. Provides Antioxidants which help in protecting blood vessel lining. Papaya also decreases LDL(bad cholesterol)levels.

Who shouldn’t eat papaya?

Although one can use papaya for high blood pressure, it has various other benefits but it cannot be suitable for some individuals:

1. Pregnant women: Specifically semi-ripe papaya is what one should avoid during pregnancy, Papaya contains latex which can induce premature labour(uterine contractions). It has the enzyme papain which mimics prostaglandins(prostaglandins make the uterus contract).

2. Irregular heartbeats (Arrhythmias): Although papaya is good for heart health if you already have heart problems you should avoid papaya as some studies have shown that it contains small amounts of cardiac glycosides, although this amount is not harmful but excess of this can be detrimental.

3. Allergies: People who are diagnosed with latex allergy, should also stay away from papaya. As chitinase present in papaya cross-reacts with latex and causes allergies.

4. Kidney stones: Papaya contains Vitamin C, moderate amount is healthy but an excess of the vitamin can lead to the formation of calcium oxalate stones in susceptible individuals. Vitamin C can also cause an increase in the size of the stone if you already have one.

5. Hypoglycemia(low blood glucose): Papaya is good for people with diabetes as it has high fibre content but for those suffering from hypoglycemia it is not a good option because of its anti-hypoglycemic effect.

Other Health Benefits of Papaya

Apart from papaya for high BP, there are many other benefits of papaya. Papaya contains a high amount of antioxidants, fibres and other nutrients which contributes to its benefits:

1. Protection from Heart disease: Papaya contains vitamin C and lycopene which contribute to good heart health. Papaya also reduces LDL(bad cholesterol) which also contributes to its heart-healthy benefits.

2. Anticancer properties: Papaya can reduce cancer risk because of antioxidants and it is also beneficial for people who are getting treatment for cancer. Papaya has very unique properties in that it can have anticancer properties against breast cancer cells.

3. Improves Digestion: Papaya contains an enzyme called papain which breaks complex proteins into smaller amino acids which makes it easier to digest. Papaya can also relieve constipation because of its high fibre content.

4. Rejuvenates skin: Free radical damage leads to ageing and wrinkling of skin. Antioxidants like lycopene which is present in papaya help fight free radical damage and improve skin.

5. Improves eye health: Papaya contains vitamin A which helps in improving eye health.

6. Boosts immune system: Papaya contains vitamin C which is responsible for boosting the immune system.

7. Antimicrobial property: In ancient medicine, Papaya extract has been used for many years to reduce inflammation and pain. Apart from this studies have also shown that Papaya also has antimicrobial properties.

Take-Home Points

• The answer to the question: is papaya good for high blood pressure? Yes, one can use papaya for high BP as a supplement to treatment.

• Papaya's nutritional value lies in its Vitamin C, antioxidants, high fibre, potassium and vitamin B complex.

• The high potassium in Papaya helps counterbalance sodium in our body causing decreased BP.

• Vitamin C being an antioxidant also protects the inner lining of blood vessels which improves heart health.

• Vitamin E can lead to decreased Blood pressure in mild hypertensive

• Other fruits that are high in Vitamin C and potassium include Apples, Berries, Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges, Watermelon and Pomegranates.

• Other health benefits of papaya include anticancer properties, improved digestion, rejuvenation of the skin, protection against heart disease boost in the immune system etc.

• How to prepare papaya for high blood pressure? You can prepare papaya for high bp raw by refrigerating it or you can prepare papaya stuffed paratha, milkshake or papaya pickle.