Island Proof Recipes by XpBonaire IslandLife
Papayas grow in tropical climates, their sweet taste, vibrant color, and the wide variety of alleged health benefits they provide make them a popular fruit.
The possible health benefits of consuming papaya include a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, aiding in digestion, improving blood glucose control in people with diabetes, lowering blood pressure, and improving wound healing.
Facts & Benefits
Papaya is native to Mexico. However, it grows naturally in the Caribbean and Florida too.
The nutrients found in papaya are thought to have a range of health benefits. They may help protect against a number of health conditions.
- Asthma prevention
- Cancer
- Bone health
- Diabetes
- Digestion
- Heart disease
- Inflammation
- Skin and healing
- Hair health
Nutrition
Papayas are an excellent source of vitamin C, and one single medium fruit provides 224 percent of recommended daily intake.
One medium papaya has approximately:
120 calories, 30 grams of carbohydrate - including 5 grams of fiber and 18 grams of sugar 2 grams of protein.
Papayas are also a good source of:
folate
vitamin A
magnesium
copper
pantothenic acid
fiber
They also have B vitamins, alpha and beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin E, calcium, potassium, vitamin K, and lycopene.
Risks
People with a latex allergy may also be allergic to papaya because papayas contain enzymes called chitinases. They can cause a cross-reaction between latex and the foods that contain them. To some, ripe papaya can have an off-putting odor. You can minimize this smell by mixing the cut fruit with lime juice.The seeds of the papaya, though unpleasant tasting to some, are perfectly safe to consume.
Recipe & Tips
There are many simple ways to add papaya to a diet. The fruit is quite tricky to eat, as it is very juicy, but consider the following methods of eating and recipes:
How to eat papaya
When choosing or eating papaya, look for fresh papayas with reddish orange skin that are soft to the touch. Just cut like a melon, scoop out the seeds, and enjoy. The seeds of the papaya are edible but have a bitter, peppery taste. Using a spoon, it is possible to scoop out the soft flesh of the fruit.
Papaya is a soft, versatile fruit. This means it can be incorporated into many recipes. Consider the following simple methods of preparation:
-Make a tropical fruit salad with fresh papaya, pineapple, and mango.
-Muddle papaya into a glass of lemonade, iced tea, or water for a burst of fresh fruity flavor.
-Make a fresh salsa with papaya, mango, jalapeno, red peppers, and chipotle pepper. Use as a topping for fish tacos.
-Add a few slices of frozen papaya to smoothies. Combine with pineapple juice, half a frozen banana, and Greek yogurt for a sweet tropical treat.
Papaya Salsa
Ingredients:
Splash of olive oil
1 small onion chopped
1 jalapeno peppers chopped (to taste)
1 long red cayenne pepper chopped (to taste)
3-4 cloves garlic chopped
½ papaya peeled, seeded and chopped
2 medium tomatoes chopped
½ cup chopped cilantro
½ cup white vinegar or lime juice
Salt and sugar to taste
Instructions
Chop and cut all ingredients and mix together in a bowl. Add lime juice or vinegar with salt and sugar to taste. Serve with tortilla chips or a meal
