'Papaya' Limited Edition Print

Carica papaya, papaya

A3. 297 x 420 mm / 11.7 x 16.5 inches

There are an outstanding source of nutrients held in a single Papaya or ‘Paw paw’ that may help protect against a number of health conditions. Zeaxanthin, is an antioxidant found in Papaya, it can help filter out blue light rays, a modern concern for those spending a lot of hours working from screens and devices. It can also lower the risk of developing cancer and asthma, as it has high levels of beta-carotene found in many orange coloured fruit and vegetables.

The papaya is also a wonderful source of vitamin K, intaking this improves calcium absorption, so a great way to strengthen bones. It can be a beneficial anti-inflammatory as one of the nutrients it is high in is choline. This is a versatile nutrient that can aid our bodies during sleep, muscle movement and memory. By maintaining the structure of cellular membrane, aiding the transmission of nerve impulses and reducing chronic inflammation.

Being a good source of high fibre with an added high water content, it is good for constipation and weight loss, whilst being able to absorb fat in the body. One small papaya will provide 3g of fibre, which is the equivalent to 17g of carbohydrates, making it a useful food for people with diabetes. They also contain an enzyme called papain, that aids digestion, in fact it can even be used as a meat tenderiser.

Containing high levels of Vitamins A,B,C and K, folate, potassium, magnesium, copper and pantothenic acid it is an all round good fruit to eat. Promoting collagen growth in your skin and benefiting hair through vitamin A, which encourages sebum production, essential for moisturising hair. Used topically it has been mashed to treat burns, heal wounds and preventing infection.

As with all plants the process of pollination is a determining factor, with a high fruit yield a necessary process of reproduction. Hawk moths have been reported as one of the main pollinators of the papaya. Attracted by the trumpet shaped, white flowers, more luminous than other colours and shaped blooms at night. The Deilephila elpenor, elephant hawk moth from the Sphingidae family is often seen visiting the flowers. Whilst honey bees are noted to be pollinators of papaya flowers a hawk moth is often more successful due to the shape of the flower, when attracted to the nectar.