Many people aren’t familiar with papayas, but I highly recommend them. Most people will go for the well-known and high glycemic fruits. This is one that will grow on it in taste. However, the nutritional value of papayas is very diverse and it’s good for you.
Papayas are an excellent source of vitamin C. One medium fruit has 224% of the daily recommended intake. One medium papaya has about 120 calories, 30 grams of carbohydrate, including 5 grams of fiber and 18grams of sugar. And to top it off, you can get 2 grams of protein.
Also, papayas are a good source of folate, vitamin A, magnesium, copper, and pantothenic acid. B vitamins are also present in papayas as are vitamin E, calcium, potassium, vitamin K and lycopene – the powerful antioxidant found in cooked tomatoes.
Here are some benefits of papayas:
- Helps with digestion because of an enzyme called papain
- The fiber, potassium and vitamins will help ward off heart disease.
- Papayas help with inflammation because of choline.
- The vitamin K will help with bone fractures.
- The beta-carotene in papayas may help reduce the risk of cancer
- Asthma development risk is lower in people who consume beta-carotene – papayas have that
So next time you’re in the store and you pass by the papayas, grab one. They are great fresh or in a smoothie.
