This week’s feature highlights PAPAYA. Papaya is the fruit of the Carica Papaya plant which originated in Central America and Southern Mexico, but is now grown in many other parts of the world. The trees tend to grow tall and slender and the bark is soft with the fruits growing in a bunch near the top of the tree. This fruit is incredibly healthy. It’s loaded with antioxidants that can  reduce inflammation, fight disease and help keep you looking young.

A group of healthy antioxidants found in papaya are called carotenoids. They are especially high in a type of carotenoid called lycopene. What’s more, is that these beneficial antioxidants are better absorbed from papayas than from other fruits and vegetables.

Research suggests that the lycopene in papaya can reduce cancer risk. It may also be beneficial for people who are being treated for cancer. Papaya’s cancer-fighting ability appears to be due to its ability to reduce free radicals that contribute to cancer development and progression.

Among 14 fruits and vegetables with known antioxidant properties, only papaya demonstrated anti-cancer activity in breast cancer cells. In a small study of older people with inflammation and precancerous changes of the stomach, a fermented papaya preparation reduced oxidative damage.

Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which can break down the tough protein chains found in muscle meat. Because of this, people have used papaya to tenderize meat for thousands of years. If the papaya is ripe, it can be eaten raw. The papain enzyme in the fruit can make protein easier to digest. People in the tropics consider papaya a remedy for constipation and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In one study, people who took a papaya-based formula for 40 days had significant improvement in constipation and bloating. The seeds, leaves and roots have also been shown to be effective for treating ulcers in animal and human studies. The fruit also has many black seeds seeds inside the center. These are edible, but do have a bitter flavor.Papayas are loaded with nutrition and taste delicious. A small one (152 grams) contains:

• Calories: 59.
• Carbohydrates: 15 grams.
• Fiber: 3 grams.
• Protein: 1 gram.
• Vitamin C: 157% of the RDI.
• Vitamin A: 33% of the RDI.
• Folate (Vitamin B9): 14% of the RDI.
• Potassium: 11% of the RDI.
• Trace amounts of calcium, magnesium and vitamins B1, B3, B5, E and K.

In addition to keeping your body healthy, papaya can also help your skin look more toned and youthful. Excessive free radical activity is believed to be responsible for much of the wrinkling, sagging and other skin damage that occurs with age. The vitamin C and lycopene in papaya protect your skin and may help reduce these signs of aging. In one study, lycopene supplementation for 10–12 weeks decreased skin redness after sun exposure, which is a sign of skin injury. In another, older women who consumed a mixture of lycopene, vitamin C and other antioxidants for 14 weeks had a visible and measurable reduction in depth of facial wrinkle.

So there you have it, good reasons to include Papaya in your diet. Try the green ones cooked, the leaves for making tea and the seeds can be swallowed whole or blended in your favourite smoothie.

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