Papayas offer not only the lusciuos taste and sunlit color of the tropics, but are rich sources of antioxidant nutrients; the B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid; and the minerals, potassium, copper, and magnesium and fiber. Together, these nutrients promote the health of the health of the cardiovascular system and also provide protection against colon cancer. In addition, papaya contains the digestive enzyme, papain, which is used like bromelain, a similar enzyme found in pineapple, to treat sport injuries, othe causes of trauma, and allergies.