The Health Benefits of Papaya
This sweet tropical fruit is an outstanding source of vitamin C, and provides beta-carotene and lycopene, folate, potassium and fibre, plus papain, a natural enzyme that breaks down protein.
Wellness
Here is what papaya brings to a balanced diet:
Immune health A cup of papaya provides more than a full day’s vitamin C for an adult, supporting normal immune function.
Digestive health Papaya’s fibre and water help keep you regular, and many people find it gentle on the tummy.
Eye health Beta-carotene is essential for normal vision, and papaya’s carotenoids help protect the eyes.
Heart health Potassium, fibre and antioxidants such as lycopene support healthy blood pressure and blood vessels.
Antioxidants Vitamin C, beta-carotene and lycopene help protect your cells from oxidative stress. Diets rich in these colourful fruits are linked with a lower risk of several chronic diseases.
Pregnancy note Ripe papaya is a healthy choice in pregnancy, but unripe (green) papaya and papaya seeds contain latex and papain and are best avoided. People with a latex allergy may also react to papaya.
Beauty
Collagen support Vitamin C helps your body make collagen for firm, radiant skin, and papain is a popular gentle exfoliating ingredient in skincare. Patch test any DIY papaya mask first.
Weight management
A cup of papaya has only around 260 kJ (62 calories) and nearly 3 grams of fibre, making it a sweet, satisfying snack.
Cooking with papaya
Eating the sweet, buttery papaya flesh fresh with a spoon is pure delight. However, if you want to get a little creative in the kitchen consider the following unique culinary concoctions.
Dried Papaya seeds make a great alternative to black pepper and health benefits
Pureed it makes a fantastic tenderiser on tough proteins it breaks down tough fibres
A very popular Thai dish is Som Tam, or Green Papaya Salad. This spicy sweet salad combines 3 cups of shredded green papaya, 1 cup of bean sprouts for added crunch, 3 sliced spring onions, a large handful of shredded Thai basil and a ½ cup of chopped fresh coriander.
For the dressing, merely combine 2 tablespoons of dried shrimp, 1 sliced Thai chili pepper, 1.5 tablespoons of palm sugar, 4 tablespoons of fresh lime juice, 1 minced garlic clove and 3 tablespoons of fish sauce. Toss the salad in the mixture until fully coated and top with a ½ cup of crushed peanuts.
Interesting fact about Papayas: The ancient Mayans used to revere the Papaya Tree and affectionately call it the “Tree of Life.”
This article is general information about food and wellbeing, not medical advice. Please talk to your GP or a qualified health professional about any health condition, medication or major change to your diet.
