What is Papain?

Papain is an enzyme which is found naturally in unripe papayas. People have been taking advantage of papain's properties for centuries in Latin America, and additional uses have been discovered in the modern era.

Commercially, papain is added to many preparations which are designed to tenderize meats. Medically, papain is sometimes used in wound debridement, and it is sometimes recommended as a dietary supplement to people who experience digestive problems. The papain supplement can help people break foods down so that they are easy to digest.