Papayas are a tropical fruit that most likely makes you think of a warm weather vacation. This fruit is not native to the U.S., and most of the papayas you'll find here are imported from Mexico. However, it's also grown in limited supply in Hawaii, California, Texas, and Southern Florida, and Florida is the only place where papaya can grow year round.
Papayas are known for their unpleasant smell and their sweet, delicious orange flesh. Their nose-wrinkling scent and vibrant appearance hint at the nutrients that they contain. Papayas have long been used for medicinal purposes to treat a wide range of ailments including menstrual pain and irregularity, ringworm, and even malaria. While the effectiveness of these particular remedial uses haven't been scientifically proven, there's no doubt that this fruit has some powerful health benefits.
# Papayas are rich in several antioxidants.This bright orange fruit has impressive levels of antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, that work together to reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent oxidation of cholesterol, which is necessary for it to stick to your arteries. These can also reduce inflammation, making papayas a smart addition to an anti-arthritic diet.
# Papayas provide fiber to promote gut health.
Papayas are high in fiber, which is essential for regulating digestion and promoting feelings of satiety (so you're more likely to stop eating when you're full and happy—not sick and stuffed). Papayas are also 88 percent water, which helps with motility (check out more healthy foods that can keep you hydrated and regular). A high-fiber diet is also known to support healthy blood sugar, making papaya even more helpful for lowering cholesterol levels. Plus, your immune system is also housed in your gut, so a healthy gut can keep you healthy overall.
# Papayas are immune system boosters.Speaking of supporting a healthy immune system, papaya has been heralded as an immunostimulant (quite literally, substances that help activate the immune system). They're a great source of beta carotene, an antioxidant that's been shown to support immune health. Also, as Manaker mentions, one serving of papaya (about one small fruit) contains more than your daily value of vitamin C.
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Papaya may protect against certain cancers.Like other foods that are naturally red or pink in color—think watermelon and tomatoes—papayas contain a carotenoid called lycopene, Manaker says. Lycopene intake is linked to a slew of health benefits, including that it may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancers. A number of studies show that lycopene can prevent the growth of cancer cells, especially lung cancer, and it can help fight breast, stomach, and colon cancer cells.
# Papaya is a natural meat tenderizer.
Papaya contains the enzyme papain, which can naturally break down tough meat fibers. (P.S. papain is the reason why papayas smell so bad!) With the added antimicrobial benefits, papaya extract or leaf are considered ideal for tenderizing meat.