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Spain is a very beautiful and fascinating country. Read this article to learn more.👇

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Curious to learn some interesting facts about Spain? If you're planning a trip to Spain soon and are interested in Spanish culture, there's a lot to learn about this awesome country. If you're learning how to speak Spanish, studying the culture of Spain will motivate you and make your studies much more interesting!

So without further ado, here are 50 interesting facts about Spain that you might be surprised to learn.

50 Interesting Facts About Spain & Spanish Culture

1. Not all Spaniards are native speakers of (Castilian) Spanish. There are four official languages in Spain (Castilian, Catalan, Basque and Galician), three unofficial regional languages (Asturian, Aragonese, and Aranese), and several more dialects.

2. The Spaniards have a completely different life rhythm from other Europeans. They typically have lunch between 1 and 3 pm, and dinner around 10 pm.

3. Spanish culture greatly influenced modern art from the late 1800s, with artists like Antoni Gaudí (Art Nouveau), Pablo Picasso (expressionism, cubism, surrealism), Joan Miró (surrealism), and Salvador Dalí (surrealism).

4. Flamenco is not actually a dance; it's a musical style, which sometimes has dancing in it.

5. 58 million tourists go to Spain every year, making it the fourth most visited country in the world.

6. Spain is renowned for its lively festivals, including San Fermín ("running of the bulls") in Pamplona and Tomatina ("tomato battle") in Buñol.

7. More than 150,000 tomatoes are usually thrown at La Tomatina.

8. The official name of Spain is "Kingdom of Spain."

9. The national anthem of Spain has no words.

10. There are no laws about public nudity in Spain.

11. 43% of the world's olive oil production is done in Spain.

12. From 2008 to 2013, the Spanish national football team was named FIFA Team of the Year.

13. Spain won its first World Cup football title in 2010, which made the country the 8th country to have ever won.

14. The tooth fairy is a mere rodent in Spain, referred to as Ratoncito Pérez.

15. Our favorite of all the interesting facts about Spain - Breaks, free time, and siestas are a huge part of everyday Spanish culture.

16. Spain was the world's third most popular tourist destination in 2013 (after France and the US).

17. Don Quixote, the famous book written by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes in 1605, was voted the "most meaningful book of all time" in 2002 by a panel of top authors.

18. Traditionally, you have two surnames in Spain - the first surname from your father, and the second from your mother.

19. Spaniards celebrate the New Year by eating one grape with their family for each bell strike of the clock.

20. The quill pen is thought to have originated in Spain about 1,400 years ago.

21. The Spanish often use gestures with, or to substitute for, words. Flicking the teeth with the thumbnail, wiggling fingers from the nose, and grabbing the left arm with the right while making a left-handed fist are all thought to be offensive.

22. There are fewer marriages in Spain than in any other EU country, except Sweden.

23. The divorce rate in Spain is 17% (relatively low compared to over 50% in the
USA).

24. Madrid is in the physical center of the country and the plaza Puerta del Sol is the exact center of the country.

25. Spain has the second highest number of bars per inhabitants.

26. Do not be alarmed by a dirty floor in a bar. It is completely acceptable and normal to throw things on the ground in bars. Most of the time a dirty floor means a good bar!

27. Tortillas in Spain are not the same as tortillas elsewhere. Tortilla española refers to a very popular egg and potato dish. Spaniards use the word "tortitas" to refer to flour/corn tortillas.

28. Most households buy fresh bread every day. Traditionally, they are long baguettes called barras or pistolas. Bread is present (and required) at almost every meal.

29. Tomatoes, potatoes, avocados, tobacco, and cacao (for chocolate) were all imported into Europe by Spain.

30. Though Spain is more famous for its red wine than white, the majority of its vineyards have white grapes.

31. Spain is one of the world's biggest producers of saffron, an important ingredient in paella.

32. The Madrid subway is the second largest underground system in Europe and the sixth largest system in the world.

33. The family is the basis of the social structure and includes both the nuclear and the extended family, which sometimes provides both a social and a financial support network.

34. Owning one's home is very important to Spanish people, and some 80% of Spanish households do.

35. The majority of Spaniards are formally Roman Catholic, although different religious beliefs are accepted.

36. People are often referred to as Don or Dona and their first name within formal occasions.

37. If invited to a Spaniard's home, you can bring chocolates, pastries, cakes, wine, liqueur, brandy, or flowers to the hostess.

38. In business, face-to-face contact is preferred to written or telephone communication.

39. Despite the beret being associated with France, the Basques in Northeast Spain invented it.

40. It is not customary to tip in Spain, especially for cheap meals.

41. Each regional country of Spain - Pais Vasco, Cataluña, Galicia - has its own language, hymn, and flag.

42. Barcelona has 15 million visitors per year, while Madrid has only 6 or 7.

43. The Madrid-Barcelona route has the highest number of flights per week in the world.

44. Spain has more than 8,000 beaches.

45. The name Spain diverged from the word Ispania, which means the land of rabbits.

46. Of all the interesting facts about Spain, this one is perhaps the most bizarre. On May 15th all the single women in Madrid visit the chapel called Ermita de San Isidro to prick their fingers with pins and put it in a vessel, in order to find a husband.

47. Same sex marriage has been legal in Spain since 2005.

48. On St. George's Day (April 23rd) in Barcelona, it's customary to exchange a book and/or a rose with the person you love.

49. Spaniards own more cars than cell phones.

50. Spanish people are very fond of food. A famous saying is Barriga llena, corazón contento, which translates to "A full belly and a happy heart"!

For those who are visual learners, here is a fun infographic with dozens of interesting facts about Spain. If these facts don't get you excited about taking a future trip to this beautiful country, we don't know what else will!

Interesting Facts About Spain Infographic -
Do you know any additional interesting facts about Spain or Spanish culture? If so, feel free to leave a comment below and share!

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50 Most Interesting Facts About Spain [Infographic]

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Curious to learn some interesting facts about Spain? If you're planning a trip to Spain soon and are interested in Spanish culture, there's a lot to learn about this awesome country. If you're learning how to speak Spanish, studying the culture of Spain will motivate you and make your studies much more interesting!

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Exercising is super important to your heath. It builds muscles 💪, and makes you healthier person. Look at the different exercises and do some!! 👇

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Fitness blueprints: no-equipment visual workouts, fitness programs and challenges, training and running tips, recipes and nutrition advice.

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Meditation is a really good thing to practice and take up. It has so many benefits and it helps your daily life. Read this article to learn more 👇

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Meditation is the habitual process of training your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts.

The popularity of meditation is increasing as more people discover its many health benefits.

You can use it to increase awareness of yourself and your surroundings. Many people think of it as a way to reduce stress and develop concentration.

People also use the practice to develop other beneficial habits and feelings, such as a positive mood and outlook, self-discipline, healthy sleep patterns, and even increased pain tolerance.

This article reviews 12 health benefits of meditation.

Stress reduction is one of the most common reasons people try meditation.

One review concluded that meditation lives up to its reputation for stress reduction ().

Normally, mental and physical stress cause increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This produces many of the harmful effects of stress, such as the release of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines.

These effects can disrupt sleep, promote depression and anxiety, increase blood pressure, and contribute to fatigue and cloudy thinking.

In an 8-week study, a meditation style called "mindfulness meditation" reduced the inflammation response caused by stress ( 2).

Furthermore, research has shown that meditation may also improve symptoms of stress-related conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, and fibromyalgia ( 3, , ).

Summary
Many styles of meditation can help reduce stress. Meditation can likewise reduce symptoms in people with stress-triggered medical conditions.

Meditation can reduce stress levels, which translates to less anxiety.

A meta-analysis including nearly 1,300 adults found that meditation may decrease anxiety. Notably, this effect was strongest in those with the highest levels of anxiety ().

Another study in 47 people with chronic pain found that completing an 8-week meditation program led to noticeable improvements in depression, anxiety, and pain over 1 year ().

What's more, some research suggests that a variety of mindfulness and meditation exercises may reduce anxiety levels ().

Meditation may also help control job-related anxiety. One study found that employees who used a mindfulness meditation app for 8 weeks experienced improved feelings of well-being and decreased distress and job strain, compared with those in a control group ().

Summary
Habitual meditation can help reduce anxiety and improve stress reactivity and coping skills.

Some forms of meditation can lead to improved self-image and a more positive outlook on life.

For example, one review of treatments given to more than 3,500 adults found that mindfulness meditation improved symptoms of depression ().

Another study found that people who completed a meditation exercise experienced fewer negative thoughts in response to viewing negative images, compared with those in a control group ().

Furthermore, inflammatory chemicals called cytokines, which are released in response to stress, can affect mood, leading to depression. A review of several studies suggests meditation may also reduce depression by decreasing levels of these inflammatory chemicals ().

Summary
Some forms of meditation can improve depression and reduce negative thoughts. It may also decrease levels of inflammatory cytokines, which could contribute to depression.

Some forms of meditation may help you develop a stronger understanding of yourself, helping you grow into your best self.

For example, self-inquiry meditation explicitly aims to help you develop a greater understanding of yourself and how you relate to those around you.

Other forms teach you to recognize thoughts that may be harmful or self-defeating. The idea is that as you gain greater awareness of your thought habits, you can steer them toward more constructive patterns (, , ).

One review of 27 studies showed that practicing tai chi may be associated with improved self-efficacy, which is a term used to describe a person's belief in their own capacity or ability to overcome challenges ().

In another study, 153 adults who used a mindfulness meditation app for 2 weeks experienced reduced feelings of loneliness and increased social contact compared with those in a control group ().

Additionally, experience in meditation may cultivate more creative problem-solving skills ().

Summary
Self-inquiry and related styles of meditation can help you "know yourself." This can be a starting point for making other positive changes.

Focused-attention meditation is like weight lifting for your attention span. It helps increase the strength and endurance of your attention.

For example, one study found that people who listened to a meditation tape experienced improved attention and accuracy while completing a task, compared with those in a control group ().

A similar study showed that people who regularly practiced meditation performed better on a visual task and had a greater attention span than those without any meditation experience ().

Moreover, one review concluded that meditation may even reverse patterns in the brain that contribute to mind-wandering, worrying, and poor attention ().

Even meditating for a short period each day may benefit you. One study found that meditating for just 13 minutes daily enhanced attention and memory after 8 weeks ().

Summary
Several types of meditation may build your ability to redirect and maintain attention.

Improvements in attention and clarity of thinking may help keep your mind young.

Kirtan Kriya is a method of meditation that combines a mantra or chant with repetitive motion of the fingers to focus your thoughts. Studies in people with age-related memory loss have shown it improves performance on neuropsychological tests ().

Furthermore, a review found preliminary evidence that multiple meditation styles can increase attention, memory, and mental quickness in older volunteers ().

In addition to fighting normal age-related memory loss, meditation can at least partially improve memory in patients with dementia. It can likewise help control stress and improve coping in those caring for family members with dementia (, ).

Summary
The improved focus you can gain through regular meditation may boost your memory and mental clarity. These benefits can help fight age-related memory loss and dementia.

Some types of meditation may particularly increase positive feelings and actions toward yourself and others.

Metta, a type of meditation also known as loving-kindness meditation, begins with developing kind thoughts and feelings toward yourself.

Through practice, people learn to extend this kindness and forgiveness externally, first to friends, then acquaintances, and ultimately enemies.

A meta-analysis of 22 studies on this form of meditation demonstrated its ability to increase peoples' compassion toward themselves and others ().

One study in 100 adults randomly assigned to a program that included loving-kindness meditation found that these benefits were dose-dependent.

In other words, the more time people spent in weekly metta meditation practice, the more positive feelings they experienced ( 31).

Another study in 50 college students showed that practicing metta meditation 3 times per week improved positive emotions, interpersonal interactions, and understanding of others after 4 weeks ().

These benefits also appear to accumulate over time with the practice of loving-kindness meditation ().

Summary
Metta, or loving-kindness meditation, is a practice of developing positive feelings, first toward yourself and then toward others. Metta increases positivity, empathy, and compassionate behavior toward others.

The mental discipline you can develop through meditation may help you break dependencies by increasing your self-control and awareness of triggers for addictive behaviors ().

Research has shown that meditation may help people learn to redirect their attention, manage their emotions and impulses, and increase their understanding of the causes behind their (, ).

One study in 60 people receiving treatment for alcohol use disorder found that practicing transcendental meditation was associated with lower levels of stress, psychological distress, alcohol cravings, and alcohol use after 3 months ().

Summary
Meditation develops mental awareness and can help you manage triggers for unwanted impulses. This can help you recover from addiction, manage unhealthy eating, and redirect other unwanted habits.

Nearly half of the population will struggle with insomnia at some point.

One study compared mindfulness-based meditation programs and found that people who meditated stayed asleep longer and had improved insomnia severity, compared with those who had an unmedicated control condition ( 39).

Becoming skilled in meditation may help you control or redirect the racing or runaway thoughts that often lead to insomnia.

Additionally, it can help relax your body, releasing tension and placing you in a peaceful state in which you're more likely to fall asleep.

Summary
A variety of meditation techniques can help you relax and control runaway thoughts that can interfere with sleep. This can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and increase sleep quality.

Your perception of pain is connected to your state of mind, and it can be elevated in stressful conditions.

Some research suggests that incorporating meditation into your routine could be beneficial for controlling pain.

A large meta-analysis of studies enrolling nearly 3,500 participants concluded that meditation was associated with decreased pain ().

Meditators and non-meditators experienced the same causes of pain, but meditators showed a greater ability to cope with pain and even experienced a reduced sensation of pain.

Summary
Meditation can diminish the perception of pain in the brain. This may help treat chronic pain when used to supplement medical care or physical therapy.

Meditation can also improve physical health by reducing strain on the heart.

Over time, high blood pressure makes the heart work harder to pump blood, which can lead to poor heart function.

High blood pressure also contributes to atherosclerosis, or a narrowing of the arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.

One review concluded that several types of meditation produced similar improvements in blood pressure ().

In part, meditation appears to control blood pressure by relaxing the nerve signals that coordinate heart function, blood vessel tension, and the "fight-or-flight" response that increases alertness in stressful situations ().

Summary
Blood pressure decreases not only during meditation but also over time in individuals who meditate regularly. This can reduce strain on the heart and arteries, helping prevent heart disease.

People practice many different forms of meditation, most of which don't require specialized equipment or space. You can practice with just a few minutes daily.

If you want to start meditating, try choosing a form of meditation based on what you want to get out of it.

There are two major styles of meditation:

Focused-attention meditation. This style concentrates attention on a single object, thought, sound, or visualization. It emphasizes ridding your mind of distractions. Meditation may focus on breathing, a mantra, or calming sound.

Open-monitoring meditation. This style encourages broadened awareness of all aspects of your environment, train of thought, and sense of self. It may include becoming aware of suppressed thoughts, feelings, or impulses.

To find out which styles you like best, check out the variety of free, guided meditation exercises offered by the University of California Los Angeles. It's an excellent way to try different styles and find one that suits you.

If your regular work and home environments do not allow for consistent, quiet alone time, consider participating in a class. This can also improve your chances of success by providing a supportive community.

Alternatively, consider setting your alarm a few minutes early to take advantage of quiet time in the morning. This may help you develop a consistent habit and allow you to start the day positively.

Summary
If you're interested in incorporating meditation into your routine, try a few different styles and consider guided exercises to get started with one that suits you.

Meditation is something everyone can do to improve their mental and emotional health.

You can do it anywhere, without special equipment or memberships.

Alternatively, meditation courses and support groups are widely available.

There's a great variety of styles too, each with different strengths and benefits.

Trying out a style of meditation suited to your goals is a great way to improve your quality of life, even if you only have a few minutes to do it each day.

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Meditation is the habitual process of training your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts. The popularity of meditation is increasing as more people discover its many health benefits. You can use it to increase awareness of yourself and your surroundings. Many people think of it as a way to reduce stress and develop concentration.

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There are many benefits to leaning a new language. Read this article to see all the benefits that learning a new language could bring you! 👇

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1. Foreign Language study creates more positive attitudes and less prejudice toward people who are different.

2. Analytical skills improve when students study a foreign language.

3. Business skills plus foreign language skills make an employee more valuable in the marketplace.

4. Dealing with another culture enables people to gain a more profound understanding of their own culture.

5. Creativity is increased with the study of foreign languages.

6. Graduates often cite foreign language courses as some of the most valuable courses in college because of the communication skills developed in the process.

7. International travel is made easier and more pleasant through knowing a foreign language.

8. Skills like problem solving, dealing with abstract concepts, are increased when you study a foreign language.

9. Foreign language study enhances one's opportunities in government, business, medicine, law, technology, military, industry, marketing, etc.

10. A second language improves your skills and grades in math and English and on the SAT and GRE.

11. Four out of five new jobs in the US are created as a result of foreign trade.

12. Foreign languages provide a competitive edge in career choices: one is able to communicate in a second language.

13. Foreign language study enhances listening skills and memory.

14. One participates more effectively and responsibly in a multi-cultural world if one knows another language.

15. Your marketable skills in the global economy are improved if you master another language.

16. Foreign language study offers a sense of the past: culturally and linguistically.

17. The study of a foreign tongue improves the knowledge of one's own language: English vocabulary skills increase.

18. The study of foreign languages teaches and encourages respect for other peoples: it fosters an understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature.

19. Foreign languages expand one's view of the world, liberalize one's experiences, and make one more flexible and tolerant.

20. Foreign languages expand one's world view and limit the barriers between people: barriers cause distrust and fear.

21. Foreign language study leads to an appreciation of cultural diversity.

22. As immigration increases we need to prepare for changes in the American society.

23. One is at a distinct advantage in the global market if one is as bilingual as possible.

24. Foreign languages open the door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, film, philosophy, science...

25. Foreign language study is simply part of a very basic liberal education: to "educate" is to lead out, to lead out of confinement and narrowness and darkness.

-Renate Latimer, Associate Professor Emerita of German

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Twenty-five Reasons to Study Foreign Languages

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Foreign Language study creates more positive attitudes and less prejudice toward people who are different. Analytical skills improve when students study a foreign language. Business skills plus foreign language skills make an employee more valuable in the marketplace. Dealing with another culture enables people to gain a more profound understanding of their own culture.

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Canada is a very wonderful place that you should definitely visit one day. Read this article to learn more about Canada!

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Canada Facts for Kids

Learn some interesting information about Canada while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids!

Read about the climate in Canada, the languages spoken, its major cities, natural resources, coastline, border and much more.

In 2012 the population of Canada was around 35 million.

The capital city of Canada is Ottawa.

Major cities include Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary.

The 2 main languages spoken in Canada are English and French.

Canada is the second largest country in the world by total area ( Russia is the largest).

Canada is made up of 10 provinces and 3 territories.

Canada features the longest coastline in the world, stretching 202080 kilometres (125570 miles).

Canada shares the longest land border in the world with the United States, totaling 8891 kilometres (5525 miles).

The name Canada comes from the word 'kanata' which means 'settlement' or 'village' in the language of the indigenous St Lawrence Iroquoians.

Canada has over 30000 lakes.

Winters can be very cold in Canada with temperatures dropping below −40 °C (−40 °F) in some parts of the country.

Canada is rich in resources such as zinc, nickel, lead and gold.

The most popular sport in Canada is ice hockey.

Calgary hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics, Vancouver the 2010 Winter Olympics and Montreal the 1976 Summer Olympics.

The maple leaf is a Canadian symbol and features prominently on the national flag.

For more information, check out maps of Canada or take a closer look at the Canadian flag.

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Fun Canada Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about Canada

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Canada Facts for Kids Learn some interesting information about Canada while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids! Read about the climate in Canada, the languages spoken, its major cities, natural resources, coastline, border and much more. In 2012 the population of Canada was around 35 million.

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How to take care of your mental health during a pandemic 🧠 

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How to take care of your mental health during a pandemic 🧠 

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Taking care of your mental health is super important especially during this stressful, fearful, and anxious time we are living in right now.
Read this article to learn how to take care of your mental health during this time 👇

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When you go to sleep it seems like nothing is happening to your body and it’s not beneficial, but that’s completely WRONG.
Sleeping is so-so-so important to your health. Read this article to learn more about what happens to your body during sleep 😴. 👇

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A recent survey found that more people are sleeping less than six hours a night, and sleep difficulties visit 75% of us at least a few nights per week. A short-lived bout of insomnia is generally nothing to worry about. The bigger concern is chronic sleep loss, which can contribute to health problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and a decrease in the immune system's power, reports the Harvard Women's Health Watch.

While more research is needed to explore the links between chronic sleep loss and health, it's safe to say that sleep is too important to shortchange.

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Importance of Sleep : Six reasons not to scrimp on sleep - Harvard Health

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A recent survey found that more people are sleeping less than six hours a night, and sleep difficulties visit 75% of us at least a few nights per week. A short-lived bout of insomnia is generally nothing to worry about. The bigger concern is chronic ...

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This article gives great information on how keep your teeth clean 🦷 🧼

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Your dentist or hygienist can help you learn good oral hygiene techniques and can help point out areas of your mouth that may require extra attention during brushing and flossing.

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There are so many reasons that papayas are good for you read more below 👇

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The papaya is an incredibly healthy tropical fruit.

It's loaded with antioxidants that can reduce inflammation, fight disease and help keep you looking young.

Here are 8 health benefits of papaya.

Papaya is the fruit of the Carica papaya plant.

It originated in Central America and Southern Mexico but is now grown in many other parts of the world.

Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which can break down the tough protein chains found in muscle meat. Because of this, people have used papaya to tenderize meat for thousands of years.

If the papaya is ripe, it can be eaten raw. However, unripe papaya should always be cooked before eating - especially during pregnancy, as the unripe fruit is high in latex, which can stimulate contractions ().

Papayas are shaped similar to pears and can be up to 20 inches (51 cm) long. The skin is green when unripe and orange when ripe, while the flesh is yellow, orange or red.

The fruit also has many black seeds, which are edible but bitter.

One small papaya (152 grams) contains ( 2):

Papayas also contain healthy antioxidants known as carotenoids - particularly one type called lycopene.

What's more, your body absorbs these beneficial antioxidants better from papayas than other fruits and vegetables ().

Summary The papaya is a tropical fruit high in vitamins C and A, as well as fiber and healthy plant compounds. It also contains an enzyme called papain, used to tenderize meat.

Free radicals are reactive molecules created during your body's metabolism. They can promote oxidative stress, which can lead to disease.

Antioxidants, including the carotenoids found in papayas, can neutralize free radicals ().

Studies note that fermented papaya can reduce oxidative stress in older adults and people with prediabetes, mild hypothyroidism and liver disease (, , , ).

Also, many researchers believe that excessive free radicals in the brain are an important factor in Alzheimer's disease ().

In one study, people with Alzheimer's given a fermented papaya extract for six months experienced a 40% drop in a biomarker which indicates oxidative damage to DNA - and is also linked to aging and cancer (, ).

The reduction in oxidative stress is attributed to papaya's lycopene content and ability to remove excess iron, which is known to produce free radicals (, ).

Summary Papaya has powerful antioxidant effects, which may reduce oxidative stress and lower your risk of several diseases.

Research suggests that the lycopene in papaya can reduce cancer risk ().

It may also be beneficial for people who are being treated for cancer ().

Papaya may work by reducing free radicals that contribute to cancer.

Additionally, papaya may have some unique effects not shared by other fruits.

Among 14 fruits and vegetables with known antioxidant properties, only papaya demonstrated anticancer activity in breast cancer cells ().

In a small study in older adults with inflammation and precancerous stomach conditions, a fermented papaya preparation reduced oxidative damage ().

However, more research is needed before recommendations can be made.

Summary Early research suggests that the antioxidants in papaya may reduce cancer risk and perhaps even slow cancer progression.

Adding more papaya to your diet may boost your heart health.

Studies show that fruits high in lycopene and vitamin C may help prevent heart disease (, ).

The antioxidants in papaya may protect your heart and enhance the protective effects of "good" HDL cholesterol (, ).

In one study, people who took a fermented papaya supplement for 14 weeks had less inflammation and a better ratio of "bad" LDL to "good" HDL than people given a placebo.

An improved ratio is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease (, ).

Summary Papaya's high vitamin C and lycopene content can improve heart health and may reduce your risk of heart disease.

Chronic inflammation is at the root of many diseases, and unhealthy foods and lifestyle choices can drive the inflammatory process ().

Studies show that antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables like papaya help reduce inflammatory markers (, , , ).

For example, one study noted that men who increased their intake of fruits and vegetables high in carotenoids had a significant decrease in CRP, a particular inflammatory marker ().

Summary Chronic inflammation is at the root of many diseases. Papayas are very high in carotenoids that can reduce inflammation.

The papain enzyme in papaya can make protein easier to digest.

People in the tropics consider papaya to be a remedy for constipation and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

In one study, people who took a papaya-based formula for 40 days had significant improvement in constipation and bloating ().

The seeds, leaves and roots have also been shown to treat ulcers in animals and humans (, ).

Summary Papaya has been shown to improve constipation and other symptoms of IBS. The seeds and other parts of the plant have also been used to treat ulcers.

In addition to keeping your body healthy, papaya can also help your skin look more toned and youthful.

Excessive free radical activity is believed to be responsible for much of the wrinkling, sagging and other skin damage that occurs with age ().

The vitamin C and lycopene in papaya protect your skin and may help reduce these signs of aging ().

In one study, supplementing with lycopene for 10-12 weeks decreased skin redness after sun exposure, which is a sign of skin injury ().

In another, older women who consumed a mixture of lycopene, vitamin C and other antioxidants for 14 weeks had a visible and measurable reduction in depth of facial wrinkles ().

Summary The powerful antioxidants in papaya can help your skin recover from sun damage and may defend against wrinkling.

Papaya has a unique taste that many people love. However, ripeness is key.

An unripe or overly ripe papaya can taste very different from a perfectly ripe one.

When optimally ripe, papaya should be yellow to orange-red in color, although a few green spots are fine. Like an avocado, its skin should yield to gentle pressure.

Its flavor is best when cold, so it's a good idea to keep it refrigerated whenever possible.

After washing it well, you can cut it in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and eat it out of the rind with a spoon, like cantaloupe or melon.

As it's incredibly versatile, it can also be combined with other foods that complement its flavor.

Here are a few easy recipe ideas using one small papaya:

Breakfast: Cut it in half and fill each half with Greek yogurt, then top with a few blueberries and chopped nuts.

Appetizer: Cut it into strips and wrap a slice of ham or prosciutto around each strip.

Salsa: Chop papaya, tomatoes, onions and cilantro, then add lime juice and mix well.

Smoothie: Combine the diced fruit with coconut milk and ice in a blender, then blend until smooth.

Salad: Chop papaya and avocado into cubes, add diced cooked chicken and dress with olive oil and vinegar.

Dessert: Combine the chopped fruit with 2 tablespoons (28 grams) of chia seeds, 1 cup (240 ml) of almond milk and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix well and refrigerate before eating.

Summary Papaya is a delicious fruit that is best enjoyed ripe. It can be eaten alone or easily combined with other foods.

Papaya is rich in valuable nutrients and has a delicious taste.

Its powerful antioxidants like lycopene may reduce your risk of many diseases - especially ones that tend to come with age, such as heart disease and cancer.

It may also defend against the visible signs of aging, helping your skin remain smooth and youthful.

Try adding this healthy and delicious fruit to your diet today.

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8 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Papaya

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The papaya is an incredibly healthy tropical fruit. It's loaded with antioxidants that can reduce inflammation, fight disease and help keep you looking young. Here are 8 health benefits of papaya. Papaya is the fruit of the Carica papaya plant. It originated in Central America and Southern Mexico but is now grown in many other parts of the world.

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Visit the World Health Organization website to know the signs and how to protect yourself and prevent COVID-19.

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Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - World Health Organization

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Information on COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus.

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Know how to prevent and know the signs of Coronavirus

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Know how to prevent and know the signs of Coronavirus

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The COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping across the United States very rapidly. Know how to prevent the spread and the symptoms. 👇

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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CDC provides credible COVID-19 health information to the U.S.

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This article talks about how to deal with troubled teen. 👇

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It's perfectly normal for teens to test the limits-they're trying to figure out exactly where they fit in the world. Still, you don't want a troubled teen to go further down a dangerous path, so swift and effective action is sometimes n...