Papaya

Health Benefits:

Aids in digestion
Aids in weight loss
Anti fungal
Anti inflammatory
May reduce anxiety
May reduce risk of osteoarthistis
Prevents sinusitis
Provides energy
Relieves cramps

Nutrition:

Serving size: 1 fruit; Calories: 67; Fat: .4g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 13mg; Carbs: 15g; Fiber:3g;  Sugars: 9g; Protein: 1g; Potassium: 8%DV; Vitamin A: 33%DV; Vitamin C: 159%DV; Calcium: 3%DV; Iron: 2%DV

Did You Know?

• The skin of a Papaya can be used as a external treatment of skin wounds to speed up healing time.
• Young papaya fruit contains enzyme called papain. Papain has been used as a natural meat tenderizer for thousands of years.
• Papaya seeds resemble peppercorns and are edible. They can be ground up and used as a substitute for black pepper.

Ways to Eat:

• Raw
• In salads
• In sorbet
• With yogurt
• Blended in a smoothie

Farming Trivia:

• Papaya originally came from southern Mexico and northern parts of South America
• Papaya was introduced to Hawaii in the early 1800s. Today, Hawaii is a U.S. state that is the only commercially cultivated papaya
• In Australia, papaya is referred to as "Papaw" or "Paw Paw"