RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Who does not know papaya leaves? Papaya leaves are green and have a bitter taste. However, behind their bitter flavor, papaya leaves provide many benefits for the entire body.

Nutritional Content of Papaya Leaves

As quoted from siloamhospitals.com, the benefits of papaya leaves come from the various nutrients they contain. In 100 grams of papaya leaves, there are several nutrients needed by the body, such as:

• Energy: 87 kcal
• Water: 75.4 g
• Total carbohydrates: 11.9 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Total fat: 2 g
• Dietary fiber: 1.5 g
• Potassium: 926.6 mg
• Calcium: 353 mg
• Vitamin C: 140 mg
• Phosphorus: 63 mg
• Sodium: 4 mg
• Vitamin B3: 1.8 mg
• Zinc: 1.5 mg
• Iron: 0.8 mg
• Vitamin B2: 0.5 mg
• Vitamin B1: 0.15 mg
• Beta-carotene: 5409 mcg
• Copper: 200 mcg

In addition to the nutrients listed above, papaya leaves are also known to contain the papain enzyme, which helps break down protein quickly into simpler compounds. This makes it easier for the body to absorb nutrients and helps improve digestion.

Health Benefits of Papaya Leaves

Papaya leaves provide numerous health benefits for the body as a whole, ranging from helping relieve sore throats, controlling blood sugar levels and blood pressure, to maintaining healthy skin.

Here is a further explanation of each benefit.

1. Relieving Sore Throats

The first benefit of papaya leaves is their ability to help relieve sore throats. This benefit comes from the papain enzyme they contain. This enzyme works similarly to a throat-relief medicine, helping reduce throat pain and clear the buildup of mucus.

2. Controlling Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure

Another benefit of papaya leaves is helping control blood sugar levels and blood pressure in the body. This benefit is related to their high antioxidant content.

Consuming papaya leaf extract is known to help protect insulin-producing cells (pancreatic beta cells). As a result, insulin production in the body can remain stable, helping maintain balanced blood sugar levels. Stable blood sugar levels can ultimately reduce the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases.

3. Providing Energy for the Body

Papaya leaves contain a good source of carbohydrates, making them a potential source of additional energy for the body. With sufficient energy, the body will not become easily fatigued during daily activities.

In addition, papaya leaves can also be included in a daily diet menu because they contain fiber that helps maintain a feeling of fullness for longer, which can reduce overeating.

4. Treating Digestive Problems

Both papaya fruit and papaya leaves are beneficial for treating digestive disorders, including constipation. This benefit comes from the fiber content in papaya leaves, which helps soften stool and promote smoother digestion.

As a result, constipation can be treated and prevented. Besides relieving constipation, papaya leaves can also help alleviate bloating thanks to the papain enzyme they contain.

5. Helping Treat Dengue Fever

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) occurs when platelet levels in the body decrease due to infection by the dengue virus carried by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. This condition can cause symptoms such as weakness and fever and may increase the risk of bleeding, which can even be life-threatening.

In this case, papaya leaves are believed to help increase platelet levels in the blood, which may help relieve the symptoms of dengue fever. This benefit is associated with the carpaine compound and several antiviral substances found in papaya leaves.

6. Reducing Menstrual Pain

One of the benefits of papaya leaves for women is that they may help reduce menstrual pain. Papaya leaves can also help balance hormone levels in the body, which may make the menstrual cycle more regular.

This benefit can be obtained by processing papaya leaves into papaya leaf juice.

7. Maintaining Hair Health

Papaya leaves are not only beneficial for overall health but also for hair health. Their high antioxidant content is shown to stimulate hair growth.

In addition, papaya leaves can help treat dandruff problems because they contain antifungal compounds. To obtain this benefit, papaya leaves can be processed into a hair mask.

8. Maintaining Skin Health

Besides supporting hair health, papaya leaves are also beneficial for skin health. This is because papaya leaves are believed to help prevent signs of premature aging, thanks to their relatively high amino acid content.

9. Potential Support for Cancer Treatment

Research published in Frontiers in Pharmacology states that papaya leaves have the potential to support cancer treatment because they may help inhibit the growth of breast cancer, skin cancer, and prostate cancer cells.

This benefit is related to active compounds in papaya leaves that have cytotoxic compounds that target and damage cancer cells. However, papaya leaves cannot be used as the main treatment for cancer and should only be considered as a supportive therapy alongside medical treatment.