Why Kakadu Plum is Superior to Pawpaw

The health benefits of the sweet tropical fruit known as pawpaw or papaya – including to promote skin healing – have been well recognised for some time.

Papaya is a rich dietary source of fibre, iron, potassium, magnesium, antioxidants like carotenes, and vitamin C.

So, just how does this superfruit stack up against Australia’s very own superfruit, the Kakadu Plum?

The Kakadu Plum is the active ingredient in In Awe’s natural skincare range and has been embraced by Aboriginal people for thousands of years due to its powerful medicinal properties.

Vitamin C

In the vitamin C stakes, studies show a 150 gram serve of pawpaw (also spelled papaw) contains more than twice an adult’s daily vitamin C requirements.

In comparison, the Kakadu Plum has been shown to have the highest recorded natural amount of vitamin C of any food in the world, with 100 grams of the fruit providing well over 3,000% of your daily needs!

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which helps boost the immune system and is essential for growth and repair in our bodies – including for the skin and blood vessels. It plays an essential role in connective tissue healing and is believed to be linked to collagen synthesis.

With research showing normal skin contains high concentrations of vitamin C, our Kakadu Plum ointment is ideal for supporting people with skin issues such as dry skin, inflamed / irritated skin and minor burns. Check out our other blog “Learn About the Kakadu Plum”.

Folate

Kakadu plum contains 110 micrograms of folate (vitamin B9) per 100 gram – the same amount found in broccoli.

Papaya has on average 37 micrograms of folate per 100 grams.

Folate is well known as an essential nutrient needed in pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects but is also critical for growing and repairing cells and tissues. B vitamins are also needed for healthy skin, hair and eyes.

Vitamin E

Kakadu plum packs a powerful punch when it comes to the antioxidant vitamin E, with 6.1 micrograms per 100 grams (half of the recommended daily intake) whereas papaya has 0.3 micrograms of vitamin E per 100 grams.

Vitamin E not only helps reduce cell damage but is also found in the sebum, or the oil in our skin, which helps keep moisture in our skin naturally.

What else does the Kakadu Plum boast?

Ellagic acid, is a natural antioxidant found in the Kakadu Plum and research is showing it could have anti-inflammatory as well as cancer-fighting properties.

It’s also rich in copper, which research shows helps with the synthesis and stabilisation of skin proteins and upregulates collagen.

Calcium is also found in good levels in the Kakadu Plum and science shows it plays an important role in skin health.

The superfruit is also rich in magnesium, boasts stores of essential nutrients like potassium, zinc, iron and leutin (a carotenoid present in the skin) and is full of anti-inflammatory phytonutrients.

While the Kakadu Plum does not contain vitamin A, the natural beeswax used in In Awe’s products does. Vitamin A is vital for healthy skin and skin regeneration, helps improve wound healing and reduces wrinkles, according to research.

Beeswax is known to reduce water loss from skin, helps soften it and has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties. Check out our other blog on “Beeswax and it’s Benefits”.

Beeswax and the Kakadu Plum combine in our formulated ointments to help nourish the skin, create a protective barrier to aid the healing process, and help soothe irritation.

In Awe products are 100% Australian made and contain ethically sourced and harvested Kakadu Plum and beeswax.

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