All You Need to Know About Pawpaw Fruit- Nutrition Facts, Health Benefits, and Allergies

Pawpaw is a deciduous shrub or tree that belongs to the custard-apple family. This plant is native to North America. Pawpaw fruits have a wide range of health benefits. Here is an article with a discussion on pawpaw nutrition, health benefits, and allergies. 

You might not have heard the name pawpaw, but you might know this name by a different name. Pawpaw is also known as wild banana, Indian banana, West Virginia banana, Kentucky banana, Michigan banana, false banana, pawpaw apple, custard banana, custard apple, and white plum. Here is all you need to know about pawpaw. 

What are Pawpaw fruits?

Pawpaws are one of the largest edible fruit trees belonging to Native America. The trees produce greenish-black fruit that is around 3-6 inches long. The flesh of these fruits is pale to bright yellow in color, and it contains a network of dark-brown and glossy seeds. 

The flavor of pawpaw fruit is electric, sunny. And a downright tropical. They also have a mild floral and yeasty aftertaste, which feels like that of unfiltered white beer. Many people compare the taste of pawpaw to that of mango or banana. 

You can use pawpaw in desserts like custard, baked goods, or ice cream. Many people also use the fruit to make different types of beverages, including craft beer. 

Nutrition Facts

After reading the above-mentioned information, you might have got an idea about pawpaw. Now you must be thinking about pawpaw nutritions or how many calories there are in pawpaw fruit? Relax! Here is a discussion on everything you need to know about pawpaw nutrition. 

The nutritional information of pawpaw fruit varies on the basis of the size of the fruit. The fruit is not widely consumed, therefore there is limited information regarding the nutritional facts of this fruit. 

Below mentioned are the nutrition present in 3.5ounce serving of pawpaw fruit without seeds or skin (Source).

• Calories – 80
• Carbohydrates – 18.8g
• Fiber – 2.6g
• Protein – 1.2g
• Fat – 1.2g

Micronutrients in Pawpaw Fruits 

The flesh of pawpaw fruits is loaded with vitamin C. It is good to boost your immune system, enhance absorption of iron, and build collagen. Vitamin C is an amazing antioxidant that can help your body in repairing the damage caused by free radicals (Source). 

Pawpaw fruits are also a good source of manganese. It is essential for proper enzyme function in the body. It is also required for other body functions such as metabolism and blood clotting (Source). 

The pawpaw fruit is also an amazing source of magnesium and iron. It also contains vitamin A, niacin, riboflavin, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, thiamine, and potassium in smaller amounts.  Pawpaw fruit is also a rich source of fiber. There are different types of fiber and they have different effects on our body.

Health Benefits

Pawpaw is an amazing fruit loaded with a wide range of nutritional benefits. It is not only good to satisfy your craving to eat something tasty as well as healthy but also renders different health benefits. 

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Pawpaw plant is popularly used for natural treatment of inflammatory disorders. It is due to the fact that this plant is loaded with anti-inflammatory properties. Consumption of pawpaw fruits and oils can help in relieving the inflammation and pain associated with arthritic conditions. 

Cancer

Products containing extracts of the twig of pawpaw plants are sometimes consumed for the purpose of treating cancer. A vitro study presents evidence that the extract of pawpaw might have an effect on cells of the tumor. The study showed that there are possibilities to use pawpaw plant extracts for alternative medicine to treat cancer (Source). However, more research is required in this regard. 

Diabetes

Diabetes-induced hypertension can be treated using the green leaves of pawpaw plants. It is a popular home remedy. All you need to do is squeeze the green leaves in water and drink this juice three times a day. This juice is also used for constipation. 

Stomach Ulcer

People popularly use pawpaw fruit for treating stomach ulcers. All you need to do is cut an unripe paw fruit into whole cubes without peeling and removing seeds. After this, soak it in five bottles of water for around four days. Now filter it and consume around ½ glass three times every day for two weeks. It is an effective home remedy for treating ulcers. 

External Ulcer

White milky sap present in unripe pawpaw is loaded with a high percentage of papain. It is popularly used for treating ulcers or chronic wounds. You can attain the milky sap by making a slight cut on the unripe pawpaw and let the juice drop. Collect the juice. Ripe pawpaw fruit also contains papain. 

Calming Respiratory Issues

People who practice natural medicine occasionally recommend pawpaw for the purpose of treating respiratory issues. In this case, you can attain greater benefit by inhaling the plant rather than using it topically or consuming it. In the case of asthmatic attacks, people can attain relief by inhaling the smoke generated by burning dried leaves of pawpaw. 

Bronchitis

You can use the roots of pawpaw plants for treating respiratory issues such as bronchitis. All you need to do is boil some pawpaw roots and consume ½ glass around three times a day. You can also treat cough by chewing the pawpaw root. 

Piles

You can also use the pawpaw roots for treating piles. Boil pawpaw root and drink ½ glass twice a day. It will provide relief and will also treat the symptoms of piles. 

Skin Smoothing and Moisturizing

Pawpaw is a miracle ingredient for treating harsh skin issues like eczema and acne. People use concentrated pawpaw creams to treat these issues. You can also use the extracts of pawpaw on the skin in order to get the best results. Rubbing the skin of this fruit on the affected can also provide relief. 

Pawpaw oil is also effective in reducing cellulite. Moreover, it can firm and smooth the skin by boosting collagen production. 

Head Lice

Certain studies show that a combination of pawpaw fruit and tea tree oil can help in treating the issue of head lice. Some people also apply the extracts of pawpaw directly to the scalp in order to eradicate nits or lice. 

Allergies

It is safe to consume pawpaw as food. However, certain resorts of USDA present the evidence that some people have faced the issue of vomiting, allergic reaction, vomiting, and nerve toxicity on the consumption of pawpaw fruit (Source). 

Pawpaw extracts can also lead to the above-mentioned reaction. Therefore, pregnant women should not consume pawpaw fruit. 

There are also certain concerns related to the consumption of pawpaw seeds. Certain parts of pawpaw plants, including seeds, have phenolic acid, tannins, acetogenins, alkaloids, proanthocyanidins, and flavonoids. These compounds might have beneficial effects, but they have the qualities of botanical pesticides. Acetogenins present in unripe fruits, roots, bark tissues of the fruit, twigs, and unripe fruits are also an area of concern for researchers.

Final Words

There are various benefits associated with pawpaw fruit. We have mentioned all the information regarding pawpaw nutrition and health benefits. If you find the information helpful, drop a comment.