Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Tropical Papaya Smoothie
Fire up your inflammation-dousing power with this antioxidant and fiber-rich smoothie
Mention lycopene and crimson red tomato will likely jump right into your mind. But if you’re sensitive to nightshade plants, tomato could actually do more harm than good.
Luckily, nature always gives us alternatives to choose from. Papaya is another fruit that is rich in lycopene. Laboratory and observational studies suggested that lycopene may help slash the risk of cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer.
Apparently, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of lycopene are also good for reducing the formation of wrinkles and furrows (source).
Combine lycopene with vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, folate and dietary fiber, and it’ll not be hard to know why papaya is a fruit not to be missed.
To complete this anti-inflammatory smoothie, we’ll also add flaxseeds (for their essential omega-3 fatty acids), sesame seeds (for magnesium and vitamin E), ginger (for inflammation-fighting compounds) as well as banana (for more potassium and creamy goodness).
Here are what you need to make this antioxidant and fiber-rich smoothie:
Ingredients
Serves 1
200ml of soy or nut milk (sweetened or unsweetened)
5 pieces of chunky papaya slices
1 small or medium banana, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon of grind flaxseeds
1 tablespoon of grind sesame seeds
2 thin slices of fresh ginger, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon of jaggery (unrefined cane sugar) or other natural sweetener (omit if your milk is already sweetened)
Combine all ingredients in a blender and purée till the mixture is smooth. Serve immediately.
Throw in some chunky, lycopene-rich papaya
Follow by sliced banana for extra creaminess
Then sprinkle some fairy dust: a) sesame seeds b) jaggery c) flaxseeds and d) ginger
Pour in some milk and blend to perfection. Yay!
Tips:
- If you use frozen instead of fresh fruits, add them at the end of the recipe rather than the beginning. It will be easier to purée frozen fruits after blending the liquid and non-frozen ingredients.
- Grind and keep some flaxseeds and sesame seeds in the refrigerator so that you can add them to your smoothies, salads or any meals anytime you want!
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