Papaya
Papain enzyme, 107% vitamin A, and lycopene — digestion and skin in one fruit.
Papaya (Carica papaya) is a tropical fruit native to Mexico, now grown extensively across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It contains papain — a protease enzyme used medically for wound debridement — along with some of the highest vitamin A and lycopene concentrations of any fruit. Ripe papaya is safe; unripe green papaya contains latex with abortifacient compounds.
Good for
- Digestion
- Gut healing
- Vitamin A for skin
Watch for
- Pregnancy (unripe papaya in particular)
Digestive enzyme (Papain)
Papain (cysteine protease)Papain breaks down proteins and is used medically for wound cleaning and meat tenderisation. In digestion, it reduces the burden on pancreatic enzymes, improving protein nutrient absorption.
Vitamin A powerhouse
Beta-carotene, Cryptoxanthin107% DV vitamin A in 100g — from both beta-carotene (converts to retinol as needed) and direct provitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for immune function, vision, and skin cell renewal.
Lycopene and cardiovascular health
Lycopene1,828μg lycopene per 100g — comparable to tomato. Lycopene reduces LDL oxidation and has shown inverse correlation with cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer risk in population studies.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | 43 kcal |
| Vitamin A | 950 IU |
| Vitamin C | 61.8mg |
| Folate | 37μg |
| Lycopene | 1828μg |
| Papain | Present in flesh and skin |
Papain is uniquely stable — it remains active across a wide pH range (3–12) and temperature range, meaning it functions in both the stomach (acidic) and small intestine (alkaline). This broad-spectrum activity makes papaya one of the few digestive aids that works throughout the entire GI tract.
- Seifried HE et al. (2007). A review of the interaction among dietary antioxidants and reactive oxygen species. J Nutr Biochem.
- Market
- Gaddiannaram market, Hyderabad
- Distance
- 8–14km
- Restocked
- Every 2 days
- Freshness
- Pressed within 24 hours of purchase
- Notes
- Ripe, yellow-orange papaya only. Green papaya is not used in juices. Red-fleshed varieties have higher lycopene.
Do
- Use fully ripe papaya (orange flesh) — highest enzyme and nutrient activity
- Consume before or with meals for maximum digestive benefit
Don't
- ⚠️ Avoid unripe (green) papaya during pregnancy — contains latex with abortifacient compounds
- Don't pair with blood thinners without medical advice — papain has mild anticoagulant effects
Christopher Columbus called papaya the 'fruit of the angels' when he encountered it in the Caribbean in 1492. The papain enzyme is so effective at tenderising meat that commercial meat tenderiser powders are often simply purified papain. In some cultures, papaya leaves are used to wrap meat overnight before cooking.
Lemon
Vitamin C, limonene, and natural acidity that makes everything else work better.
Amla
530–800% vitamin C. The most potent antioxidant fruit in Indian cuisine.
Guava
253% vitamin C, highest fibre of any common fruit, and 5,204μg lycopene in pink varieties.
Ginger
Gingerols that fire up digestion and fight inflammation.
Have us press it
fresh for you.
First week is free. Skip the shopping list, the peeling, the press — we deliver papaya in its freshest form.