While it is not a substitute for medicine, papaya is believed to have pharmaceutical properties and is used in folk medicine to treat some health conditions.
Papaya pulp is used in African hospitals for burn and wound care. Papaya latex may be applied topically to treat burns.
Certain cancers (in combination with traditional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation
More research is needed to determine how components of papaya may be used in medicine for these conditions.
The following is nutrition information for 100 grams (g) of fresh, raw papaya:
Water: 88.1 g Energy: 43 kilocalories (kcal) Protein: 0.47 g Total lipid (fat): 0.26 g Carbohydrate, by difference: 10.8 g
Fiber, total dietary: 1.7 g Sugars, total: 7.82 g Glucose: 4.09 g Fructose: 3.73 g Calcium: 20 milligrams (mg)
A latex allergy refers to an allergic reaction to natural rubber latex that comes from the sap of the rubber tree