Jul

Papaya Smoothie Recipes and Nutrition

By Tracy Russell

Papaya Papayas make a nice base for a smoothie or can be added to most smoothie recipes for a added tropical flavor.

Papaya Nutrition and Health Benefits

Papayas are high in vitamin C and are a good source of folate, potassium, fiber and vitamins A, E and K. Papayas are rich in antioxidants and the enzyme papain, which helps promote digestive health. Lycopene content of Papayas may help protect against prostate cancer.

Studies suggest that eating papayas may help protect against heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. Papayas have been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Their anti-inflammatory properties help with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

While there is no scientific evidence that papaya will cause miscarriages, some cultures are rumored to use it to rid unwanted fetuses. I would recommend pregnant women avoiding papaya.

Smoothie Recipes

Papaya-Orange Smoothie
2 and 1/2 cups papaya, peeled and deseeded
1 orange, peeled
1 pear, cored
1 celery stalk (optional)
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1/2 – 1 cup water

Papaya-Apple Smoothie
2 and 1/2 cups papaya, peeled and deseeded
1 apple, cored
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1 whole carrot (optional), chopped
1/2 – 1 cup water

Papaya-Melon Smoothie
2 and 1/2 cups papaya, peeled and deseeded
1 cup cantaloupe, peeled and deseeded
1 pear, cored
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1 celery stalk (optional)
1/2 – 1 cup water if needed

Papaya-Pineapple Smoothie
2 and 1/2 cups papaya, peeled and deseeded
1 cup pineapple, peeled
1 whole banana, peeled
2 cups fresh baby spinach (or other leafy green)
1 celery stalk, chopped
1/2 – 1 cup water

Browse more papaya recipes.

Browse more green smoothie recipes.

How To Select Papayas

Depending on the variety of papaya, choose ripe fruits with either green or reddish-orange skin. Ripe papayas give slightly to pressure when you hold them. Papayas that are not ripe are usually yellow and can ripen at room temperature. The seeds are edible, but have a peppery flavor which may not be appropriate for some smoothie recipes.

Papayas are fairly low in pesticide residue risk, ranking 20 out of 100 according to research conducted by the Environmental Working Group. I always recommend purchasing organic whenever possible, but papayas are low risk compared to other, more common fruits such as apples and peaches.