Papaya - Benefits Nutrition Risks Recipes

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