The tropical fruit, also known as pawpaw, is extremely high in fructose and relatively high in calories, so it’s good as a hunger-beating snack or dessert. Its flesh is high in carotene, which can help prevent cancer and it’s a good source of fibre. Papayas are also one of the richest fruits in potassium and much higher in calcium than most other fruits.

Papayas is also extremely high in vitamin C and contains a reasonable source of magnesium and vitamin E.

The fruit contains  the enzyme papain, which breaks down protein and tenderizes meat

An average-sized papayas contains:

• 120 kcalories
• 0.4 g fat
• 30 g protein
• 5.5 g fibre
• 180 mg vitamin C
• 780 mg potassium
• 839 mcg beta-carotene
• 2313 mcg beta-cryptoxanthin
• 30 g magnesium
• 228 mcg lutein/Zeaxnthin