Healthy Food Database

The name papaw is given to the larger melon-like fruit with a smooth yellow-orange skin and less-sweet yellow flesh. Different to papaya though often called by the same name, papaws have a distinct yellow flesh and are rounder and larger than papaya.

Papaw contains papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins. Papain is especially high when the fruit is unripe and may be beneficial to those with digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome. Papain is also often extracted from the fruit to make digestive enzyme dietary supplements.

Papaw is a good source of vitamin C, folate, potassium, vitamins E, C, A and K as well as antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lutein and lycopene.