This week we introduce a new feature here for our Imara Medical community called "Market Pick of the Week". A healthy diet is a great way to prevent and manage many chronic medical conditions. Each Friday will post our recommended food item for you to pick up on your market run over the weekend. Today we feature the powerful benefits of Papaya:

Why you should be eating more this week?

1. SUPPORTS DIGESTION - Contains papain, an enzyme that enhances digestion of proteins.

2. SUPPORTS WEIGHT LOSS - Papaya is very low in calories, has zero cholesterol, high water content to hydrate and high fibre content that helps you feel full.

2. SUPPORTS NEUROLOGIC FUNCTION - It is high in Vitamin A and C and folic acid which is important to maintain healthy blood cells, good neurologic function.

3. BETTER SOURCE OF VITAMIN A THAN SUPPLEMENTS - Papaya is rich in calcium and potassium. Also beta carotene and beta cryptoxanthine, antioxidants which reduce inflammation and increase Vitamin A levels more effectively than supplements. (beneficial in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis)

4. HELPS MORNING SICKNESS - Eating the ripened fruit in pregnancy relieves morning sickness

5. RELIEVES CONSTIPATION - It is high in fibre and thus relieves constipation.

6. ELIMINATE WORMS: Ingesting about 1 teaspoon of the seeds helps to eliminate worms

And the list continues....

Read more about the health benefits at http://bit.ly/benefitsofpapaya and head to the market to stock up!