Papayas are not only delicious but also loaded with various vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other healthy nutrients. This one fruit, available for all 12 months of the year, is a powerhouse of health benefits.
Give your immune system a daily boost
Papaya is an excellent source of vitamin C. A single papaya contains more than double the daily requirement of vitamin C. It’s also rich in vitamin A, and together these two vitamins will help you fight off the flu and other illnesses. It’s important to get your dose of vitamin C on a daily basis as your body doesn’t produce or store vitamin C.
Diabetes-friendly fruit
Even though papaya is a sweet-tasting fruit, it has a low sugar content and is high in fibre, making it an excellent option for diabetics.
Protect your vision
Papaya is rich in antioxidant vitamins, including vitamin A, which helps your vision from degenerating. These antioxidant vitamins may help against age-related macular degeneration.
Lowers cholesterol
Papaya is rich in fibre, which has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. Its high vitamin C and antioxidant level also prevents cholesterol build-up in your arteries.
May help prevent cancer
Papaya contains beta carotene, an antioxidant that plays an important role in the body’s fight against free radicals. Free radical damage has been linked to cancer.
Bone health
Papaya contains vitamin K, which is important in maintaining good bone health. It is also well known that vitamin C is essential for the formation of collagen. Increased vitamin C levels create greater bone density.
Digestive health
Papaya is the only fruit that contains an enzyme called papain, which aids in digestion. Papaya is also high in fibre, which helps improve digestive health. Your gut will thank you for eating a papaya daily!
Anti-inflammatory
The antioxidants and vitamins in papaya also prevent chronic inflammation.
Skin and hair health
Because of its high vitamin A content, papaya is also known to increase skin and hair health.
Make papaya part of your daily diet
Making papaya a part of your daily diet is beneficial to your overall health. And because it’s such a versatile fruit, you can enjoy it as breakfast, lunch or dinner. Or you can combine it with your favourite recipes – the choice is yours!
Click here for more information on these health benefits of papaya and remember to submit your favourite original papaya recipe to Neofresh to win R10,000! Click here to enter now.