Papaya is a superfruit! Here are its benefits...

CAINTA, Philippines — If you were to choose just one fruit to eat, choose papaya because it is packed with vitamins and minerals.

It is one of the fruits with the highest nutritional value, and can thus be considered as a superfruit.

Papaya contains Vitamins A, C and K. It also contains Calcium and is a rich source of carotenoids (which are antioxidants), particularly lycopene, as well as lutein, and zeaxanthin, among others. Lycopene, by the way, helps reduce cancer risk by keeping free radicals in check. In tandem with Vitamin C and antioxidants, lycopene also protects the heart and helps keep it healthy. This combination—of lycopene and Vitamin C—also works to protect the skin and reduce the signs of aging.

An amazingly healthy tropical fruit to load up on, papaya naturally comes with Folate (or Vitamin B9), Potassium, and trace amounts of Vitamins B1, B3, B5 and E. It also contains papain, an enzyme that can make protein easier to digest and therefore help improve digestion by addressing constipation, bloating, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The papain also makes it possible to use papaya to tenderize meat, so the fruit has culinary use, as well.

Most of all, papaya is delicious and easily obtainable. These days, it can also be a bit expensive, but it’s a small amount to pay for all the health benefits that it gives.