When I was younger, my Asian grandmother used to tell me that bigger busts signify youth and fertility, which men in today’s society select for. If we don’t have them, then it is as if we are deemed less worthy, desirable and attractive in this world.
The global market for breast implants was valued at a staggering $1.8 billion in 2021, and this figure is projected to skyrocket to $4.5 billion by 2031 (Allied Market Research, 2022). As women worldwide invest significant sums in enhancing their bust, it begs the question: to what extent have societal expectations moulded unrealistic beauty standards, especially concerning women’s breasts?
The pursuit of an idealised feminine figure has led many women to seek breast augmentation. However, the psychological impact of feeling inadequate about our body image and femininity is profound, impacting our self-esteem, body confidence, and overall mental wellbeing. This emphasises the complex interplay between cultural norms, societal pressures, and individual perceptions of beauty, raising important questions about the broader implications of conforming to today’s ever changing societal beauty standards.
The Papaya and Milk Concoction
Contrary to the prevalence of breast augmentation surgeries in other parts of the world, Asia takes a unique approach. Over here, the search for larger busts is not commonly met with surgical procedures. Instead, it is intertwined with age-old remedies and cultural practices. In the realm of beauty myths and wellness fads, especially in Asia, there is a persistent myth that seems to resurface time and time again – consuming papaya and milk can significantly enhance our bust size.
Rooted in cultural traditions and traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this belief reflects a broader cultural preference for natural and holistic approaches to health and beauty. Papaya and milk, being readily available and nutritious ingredients, are often associated with promoting overall health and vitality, and are believed to indirectly contribute to hormonal balance and nourishment (Sharma, 2023), which could potentially enhance our bust size.
Moreover, within Asian societies, there exists a cultural ideal of feminine beauty that emphasises natural attributes, and the belief in the effectiveness of papaya and milk aligns with this preference for non-invasive methods of physical enhancement.
Sarah, a dear friend of mine, relates her experience to me over dinner. Sarah identifies as transgender, and in her journey to feel more like a ‘woman’, she brews and drinks papaya and milk every morning and night like a ritual, in hopes to enhance her bust size and shape.
“I first heard about the benefits of having papaya and milk from friends who are in the LGBTQIA+ community here in Singapore. And in fact, the myth is so popular that friends who are in a similar situation as me are also brewing and drinking this every day and night.” Sarah said. “I identify as transgender after all, and I did it all because I wanted to look and feel more like a ‘woman’, that is, with a bigger and fuller bust.”
I asked Sarah how she has been taking this concoction, and whether she has seen any changes to her body. “I have been doing it since I started transitioning, so about 4 years now. It didn’t work, even though I was spending so much money, time and effort purchasing and brewing the ingredients every day and night. It came to a point where I broke down so badly because I still had not seen any results despite the effort and time spent on doing so.” Sarah said. “I went into depression, and even went to the extent of questioning my own body and attributing the lack of my bust growth to my own flaws. I really hated myself for not being able to grow my bust.”
What shocked me was the fact that she blamed herself for not being able to grow her bust, instead of attributing the failure of her bust growth to the fact that papaya and milk might just not enhance her bust at all. I asked her whether the failure might be in the treatment, not the patient. “I actually did not look at this from that perspective at all…”
The dinner I had with Sarah made me realise that self-love and acceptance are paramount, especially in a world where societal expectations can be suffocating. I learned about the immense pressure Sarah felt to conform to traditional notions of femininity, which often prioritise physical attributes over individual identity and self-expression.
At first glance, the idea of papaya and milk as a bust enhancer seems rooted in ancient wisdom, perhaps reminiscent of Asian herbal remedies passed down through generations. However, skepticism demands scrutiny, and when we examine through a scientific lens, the claim quickly loses its allure.
Lack of scientific evidence
Proponents of the papaya and milk theory often highlight the presence of certain compounds in these ingredients, suggesting they play a role in stimulating breast tissue growth. Phytoestrogens, naturally occurring plant compounds with oestrogen-like effects (Chaudhary, 2023), are frequently cited as key components. Papaya is believed to contain phytoestrogens, which some claim can mimic the activity of oestrogen in the body and thereby promote breast enlargement (Chaudhary, 2023). Additionally, milk is rich in proteins and other nutrients essential for tissue repair and growth, leading some to believe that consuming milk can lead to noticeable bust enhancement (Whelan, 2020).
In reality, the science behind bust size primarily revolves around genetics, hormonal balance, and overall body composition (Flanagan, 2020). While phytoestrogens may indeed interact with oestrogen receptors in the body (Burgess, 2018), the effect on breast size remains inconclusive and the interaction is unlikely to produce significant changes, especially when phytoestrogens are consumed in relatively small quantities.
Similarly, while milk contains essential nutrients for tissue growth, there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that drinking milk alone can lead to noticeable bust enhancement (Macpherson, 2023). Bust size and shape are primarily determined by factors such as the amount of fibrous tissue and fats present, which are influenced by genetics and hormonal fluctuations (American Cancer Society, 2023). Dietary intake alone is unlikely to have a substantial impact on these factors.
While papaya and milk may contain certain compounds that help to enhance the bust size and shape, the scientific evidence supporting these claims is lacking. Bust size and shape are complex traits influenced by multiple factors, and relying solely on dietary interventions like consuming papaya and milk is unlikely to produce significant changes.
Health and Ethical Issues
Beyond the lack of scientific evidence, the promotion of such myths like papaya and milk as a bust enhancer raises ethical concerns. Promoting unrealistic beauty standards through unfounded myths perpetuates body image dissatisfaction. People like Sarah who believe in such myths may develop unrealistic expectations regarding their own bodies, leading to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and even the development of body dysmorphic disorder.
The constant pursuit of unrealistic beauty ideals can also have significant psychological consequences on us, such as anxiety, depression and disordered eating behaviours. Furthermore, individuals believing in such myths that promise dramatic transformations can exacerbate these mental health issues, causing a cycle of dissatisfaction and despair about oneself that would never end.
However, we should not overlook the root cause of the issue as well. In many societies, there exists a strong emphasis on physical appearance, particularly concerning aspects of femininity such as bust shape and size. The media and advertising often promote unrealistic beauty standards that equate larger bust size with attractiveness, femininity and desirability – which was exactly what my Asian grandmother used to always say.
This is further testified by Sarah: “I think society has already determined how a ‘woman’ should look to be seen and recognised as a ‘woman’ – bigger bust, curvy body and wider hips… and because of all these expectations placed on us women, I feel compelled to live up to that expectation. I just wanted society to recognise and accept me as a ‘woman’.”
I asked if Sarah was still taking the papaya and milk, even though it hasn’t produced any results yet.
“Yeah, I’m still having them twice a day. I am still holding onto the faith that the concoction will work, and I am going to choose to believe that my body just needs more time to grow.” Sarah told me.
Sarah’s experience shed light on the pervasive influence of societal beauty standards, not only on cisgender women but also on transgender individuals like herself. The relentless pursuit of an idealised feminine figure, perpetuated by media, culture, and social norms, made her feel inadequate and doubtful about herself.
Her persistence to continue the papaya and milk regimen highlights the deeply ingrained societal pressures and the psychological toll they can take on individuals striving to conform to the unrealistic beauty standards.
The importance of self-love and acceptance
I asked Sarah if she was happy with who she is today. “The honest truth, no. I don’t feel good enough about myself. I often catch weird glances at me while walking along the streets, and it feels as if I have done something wrong.” Sarah said. “I wished I had the confidence and courage to accept who I am wholeheartedly.”
It is essential to explore alternative ways that prioritise self-love, acceptance, and holistic well-being. Rather than relying on external remedies or conforming to societal expectations, embracing individual authenticity and celebrating diverse forms of beauty can lead to a more fulfilling and empowered sense of self.
Self-love and acceptance transcend physical appearance and encompass a deeper appreciation for one’s unique qualities, strengths, and experiences. It involves cultivating a positive relationship with ourselves, free from judgement, comparison, and unrealistic standards. While societal pressures may tempt people like Sarah to seek validation through external means, true fulfilment comes from within, rooted in self-awareness, compassion, and inner peace.
Embracing self-love and acceptance requires a shift in your mindset and values. It involves challenging the influence of media, culture, and social norms that perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards. By rejecting narrow definitions of femininity and beauty, we can reclaim autonomy and redefine success on our own terms.
Furthermore, fostering self-love and acceptance within ourselves is not a solitary journey but a collective endeavour. It involves creating supportive communities and spaces where individuals feel safe to express themselves authentically, free from judgement or prejudice. By building networks of solidarity and mutual respect, we can collectively challenge oppressive beauty standards and advocate for inclusivity, diversity, and equity.
While myths and/or health misinformation like the papaya and milk concoction may persist, the real magic lies in cultivating self-love, acceptance, and holistic well-being. By looking inward and embracing our authentic selves, we can set ourselves free from the unrealistic beauty standards, live fully and unapologetically as we are.
References
- Allied Market Research. (2022). Breast implants Market Size, share, Competitive landscape and Trend analysis Report by type, by shape, by texture, by application, by end-use : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031.
- American Cancer Society. (2023). Dense breast tissue | Breast Density and Mammogram reports.
- Burgess, L. (2018, January 17). What are phytoestrogens? Benefits and foods.
- Chaudhary, V. (2023, October 31). Foods to increase estrogen levels naturally. Nutrition World.
- Flanagan, J. (2020, July 9). Is breast size hereditary? – Knix. Knixwear.
- Macpherson, R. (2023, November 16). Can drinking milk increase my breast size? Constance M. Chen M.D.
- Sharma, A. (2023, September 14). Papaya for PCOS: Exploring the link and how it can positively impact your health. Mylo Family.
- Whelan, C. (2020, July 16). Can you increase your breast size by eating certain foods? Healthline.
