Evidence supporting the use of: Papaya
For the health condition: Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Papaya has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in tropical regions where the fruit is abundant. In traditional systems such as Ayurveda and folk medicine across Asia and Central America, papaya (especially its enzymes like papain) has been recommended to aid digestion and relieve symptoms associated with sluggish gallbladder function or after gallbladder removal. The rationale is that papaya's natural enzymes help break down protein and fats, potentially compensating for the decreased bile flow or absence of bile storage after cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal). However, there is scant scientific evidence to directly support these claims. Most modern clinical research on papaya focuses on its general digestive benefits and anti-inflammatory properties rather than specific effects on the gallbladder. While there are limited in vitro and animal studies showing papain may aid in protein digestion, there are no robust clinical trials demonstrating papaya’s effectiveness for gallbladder-related issues. Therefore, its use for supporting gallbladder health or compensating for gallbladder removal is rooted primarily in tradition rather than scientific validation, and the strength of evidence remains weak.

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