Did You Know?
Papaya

The tropical brightly colored fruit Papaya is not only delicious, it has amazing health benefits!  Papaya is a rich source of antioxidant nutrients such as:

  • Carotenes
  • Vitamin C and flavonoids
  • B vitamins
  • Folate and pantothenic acid
  • Minerals: potassium and magnesium
  • Fiber

In case you are not aware of how great these nutrients are for your health, read this list of health benefits they provide. Together these nutrients have been said to:

  • protect against heart disease
  • promote digestive health; even assists in restoring normal bacteria after antibiotic treatment
  • the enzyme papain, found in papaya, may decrease pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, improve healing of sports injuries and other causes of trauma, and allergies
  • some experts have even claimed that papaya can control premature ageing as well

If you have never tried it, I would suggest giving it a shot! You can find it at your local grocery store or farmers market. You can chill it, cut it up and serve or try it in a recipe. Check out the papaya salsa recipe on the “food” page of Ready Get Fit!

One word of caution to those on prescription blood thinners, check with your physician first before eating papaya as it may interfere with these medications.