The papaya is a beautiful orange and green tropical fruit. It tastes sweet and has a soft texture that many find appealing. Papaya seeds are also edible, although they’re more bitter than the fruit itself. Papayas are originally from Central America. This fruit grows best in tropical regions where there is plentiful rainfall but little long-term flooding. Freezing temperatures may damage a papaya crop. Indigenous people ate papayas and used them for medicinal purposes. In the 1500s and 1600s, Spanish and Portuguese colonizers brought the seeds to other tropical areas of the globe, including the Philippines and India. Today, Hawaii, the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, and tropical regions in Africa are the most fruitful papaya-producing regions. Smaller papaya-farming operations still exist in Central and South America. Here are 5 health benefits of the papaya.

Protection against heart disease

Did you know that papayas protect you against heart disease?! Firstly, papayas contain high levels of antioxidants vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Diets high in antioxidants may reduce the risk of heart disease.  Secondly, the antioxidants prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. When cholesterol oxidizes, it’s more likely to create blockages that lead to heart disease. Additionally, papayas are high in fiber. High fiber diets lower cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of heart disease. Eat your papayas folks!

Boosts the immune system

Eating foods high in vitamin C can help to boost the immune system, allowing the body to fight off bacterial and viral illnesses. Papaya contains good amounts of this antioxidant, making it part of an immune-healthy diet. Papaya is also a good source of Vitamin A, another important vitamin for a healthy and functional immune system.

High nutritional content

A medium-sized papaya contains more than 200% of the vitamin C you need per day. This helps to reduce the risk of heart disease and boost the immune system. It’s also a great source of Vitamin A, Folate, Fiber, Copper, Magnesium and Potassium.

Skin benefits

Have you ever considered using papaya topically?! Mashed papaya appears to be beneficial for promoting wound healing and preventing infection of burned areas. Researchers believe that the proteolytic enzymes chymopapain and papain in papaya are responsible for their beneficial effects. Ointments containing the papain enzyme have also been used to treat decubitus ulcers (bedsores). The enzymes papain and chymopapain in papaya can also decrease inflammation. The protein-dissolving papain can be found in many exfoliating products. These products help reduce acne by removing dead skin cells that can clog pores. Papain can also remove damaged keratin that can build up on the skin and form small bumps. When I eat a papaya, sometimes I like to take the skin and meat that’s left over, and rub it on my face or body for a nice little mask! After a long day in the sun, this can be very soothing.

Hair health

Papaya is also great for hair because it contains vitamin A. This nutrient is required for sebum production, which keeps hair moisturized. Vitamin A is also necessary for the growth of all bodily tissues, including skin and hair. If you have an adequate intake of vitamin C, which papaya can provide… this will help with the building and maintenance of collagen, which provides structure to skin.

How to eat a papaya

When choosing or eating papaya, look for fresh papayas with reddish orange skin that are soft to the touch.

Cutting them open is just like cutting a melon. Scoop out the seeds, and enjoy. Or if you want to experience the benefits of the seeds, you can blend them in a smoothie with the fruit. 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. It can be incorporated into many recipes.

Here are a few ideas for eating a papaya: 

• Make a tropical fruit salad with fresh papaya, pineapple, and mango.
• Make a fresh salsa with papaya, mango, jalapeno, red peppers, and chipotle pepper. Use as a topping for 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.

While visiting Maui, you must try a papaya! You will find these vibrant fruits in grocery stores or fruit stands. We hope reading about our 5 health benefits of the papaya will entice you to eat them. Bon appetit!