Dragon Fruit Benefits | Is Dragon Fruit Good For Your Health
Dragon Fruit Benefits – Dragon fruit, also known as Pitaya or Pitahaya, is a fleshy cactus fruit. The fleshy, scaly fruit is native to the Americas, but can be found all over the world.
Dragon fruit has a mild flavor, like a mix of kiwi and pear. Dragon fruit benefits are as unique as its name.
Do you wonder why the dragon fruit is called that? Read on to find out. Also, enrich your mind with the amazing benefits of dragon fruit before making dragon fruit smoothies.
What are the varieties of dragon fruit?
Dragon fruit got its name because it contains scales that resemble the body of a dragon. The dragon fruit cultivar is known for its varied skin color while the internal texture of the white flesh remains the same with black seeds inside.
Depending on the color of the outer skin, dragon fruit comes in the following types:
Pink Dragon Fruit
The bright pink dragon fruit is the rarest of the tropical pitayas. The outer skin is pink in color and the inner pulp of the fruit is white in color.
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Yellow Dragon Fruit
The yellow strawberry pear (another name for dragon fruit) has a yellow skin with a white interior that contains relatively large black seeds compared to the pink pitaya. This type of dragon fruit is considered the most delicious.
Red Dragon Fruit
Pink cactus fruits are another aesthetically pleasing type of dragon fruit. The exterior color varies from reddish-pink and fuchsia to brown.
The different types of colored meat have more different varieties grown in different tropical regions.
Nutritional Value Of Dragon Fruit
The nutritional value of each 100 g of ripe Pitahaya or dragon fruit contains the following:
Nutrients: Per 100 g
- Water 87 g
- Vitamin C 20.5 mg
- Fiber 3 g
- Calcium 8.5 mg
- Magnesium 28 g
- Iron 1.9 mg
- Carbohydrates 11 mg
- Phosphorus 22.5 mg
What does dragon fruit taste like?
The name dragon fruit may evoke the concept of a tangy flavor, but once you bite into a dragon fruit, you may be in awe of its mild flavor and smooth texture.
Ripe dragon fruit has a mild sweetness reminiscent of a mix of kiwi and pear, and a kiwi-like texture. Immature fruits are tasteless and tasteless.
Other dragon fruit health benefits include;
- Carotenoids
- Flavonoids
- Polyphenol content
What is the price of dragon fruit in Pakistan?
Dragon fruit is available online and in stores in all major cities of Pakistan. The price of pitahaya usually ranges between 3,000 and 3,200 Pakistani rupees per kilo.
Dragon Fruit Health Benefits
Let’s enjoy the amazing health benefits of this oval-shaped tropical fruit.
Dragon Fruit Contains Antioxidants
Dragon fruit contains many antioxidants such as lycopene, carotenoids, vitamin C, and phenolic compounds. You will be surprised to know that the skin contains more antioxidants than the meat.
The content of phenols, which have the highest antioxidant properties, is 28 mg/100 g in the peel and 19.72 g/100 g in the pulp.
Antioxidants help fight free radicals in the body and protect against oxidative stress, thus preventing many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular risk, arthritis, and cancer.
Is dragon fruit high in sugar?
Diabetics may wonder if dragon fruit is good for diabetes.
Surprisingly, despite its sweetness, dragon fruit is considered safe and effective for type 2 diabetes due to its low glycemic index (GI) of 48-52 (GI > 55 is not safe for diabetes).
Diabetes mellitus is caused by the destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas, which are responsible for the production of insulin in the body. Dragon fruit promotes the production of these cells that help with diabetes.
The fiber filling of the pitahaya gives a feeling of satiety, thus reducing the intake of junk food. Dragon fruit digests slowly, as does the fiber, which helps prevent blood sugar spikes that often occur after eating carbs.
Does dragon fruit contain prebiotics?
Prebiotics are foods that increase the production of beneficial microbial flora in the body, kill infectious viruses and bacteria, aid digestion, and increase stool output.
Prebiotics are indigestible carbohydrates (oligosaccharides) that are consumed by intestinal bacteria.
The benefits of these intestinal bacteria with the prebiotics (oligosaccharides) found in the exotic dragon fruit protect against the risk of digestive tract infections.
What is the role of dragon fruit for the immune system?
The superfruit known as dragon fruit is also an immune booster. The immune system is the body’s main defense shield, protecting it from inflammation and infection, as well as chronic disease.
White blood cells are the soldiers of the immune system, but they can be attacked by free radicals.
Therefore, antioxidants like vitamin C, carotenoids, etc. contained in dragon fruit strengthens the immune system by neutralizing free radicals and thus protects the body from heart disease, diabetes and many viral and bacterial infections.
Can dragon fruit reduce the risk of cancer?
Cancer is a deadly disease that is the leading cause of death worldwide. To combat this terrible disease, cancer, dragon fruit is used.
Dragon fruit, rich in antioxidants, strengthens the immune system, protects against inflammation and disease, and has anticancer properties.
The vitamin C content of pitaya strengthens the immune system, preparing it to fight infections and tumors.
Phenolic compounds that are an excellent source of antioxidants, such as hydroxycinnamates, give pitahaya its anticancer properties.
In addition, another important substance called lycopene, found in dragon fruit, reduces the risk of cancer, especially prostate cancer.
These antioxidants are said to be effective in treating and preventing cancer and removing natural toxins from the body.
Is dragon fruit good for digestion?
Don’t underestimate dragon fruit because of its size, as it has some of the most amazing health benefits for your gut and digestive system. This is due to dragon fruit’s fiber, antioxidant, and probiotic content.
Dragon fruit contains about 3 g of fiber per 100 g of meat, which is almost 10% of the recommended daily fiber intake of 30 g.
The fiber content ensures a healthy digestive system and increases stool production. Fiber also helps maintain weight.
We must not forget that the prebiotic effect of pitahaya is useful to protect against many diseases of the digestive system, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Dragon fruit is also considered a natural home remedy for constipation in adults and children. It is known that not only meat, but also black cumin in fruits has a laxative effect (facilitating bowel movements).
Is dragon fruit safe for heart patients?
The all-in-one dragon fruit is a gold food for heart health. The fiber content, which is abundant in dragon fruit, has been a known protective warrior for centuries against cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol.
Betalain is the color pigment responsible for giving dragon fruit its red color. Its effect on atherosclerosis risk factors in chronic heart disease has been studied.
Foods rich in betalaine have been reported to lower the lipid profile, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The carotenoids found in fruits have free radical scavenging properties, protecting the heart from inflammatory conditions and the risk of heart attack.
Its seeds are also very effective in protecting the heart from the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases. This little black seed is rich in omega-3 and omega-9.
They also help lower blood pressure and regulate heart rate, acting as a key defense strategy against heart disease.
Does dragon fruit make your skin glow?
When we talk about the vitamin C content of dragon fruit, how can we forget about its magical effect on the skin?
Vitamin C has antioxidant properties and increases collagen synthesis in the skin. It also protects the skin from UV damage.
Ascorbic acid or vitamin C can be taken with food or applied topically to improve skin health and prevent signs of aging.
Because of this, dragon fruit containing beauty products and serums are also widely used on the skin.
Dragon fruit antioxidants detoxify the skin and treat acne by removing pollutants and dirt, leaving skin clearer, brighter and smoother.
Dragon fruit is 80% water, so it moisturizes the skin well. Add a small serving of the fruit to a vitamin E capsule and apply to the skin for incredible skin benefits.
Is dragon fruit good for the eyes?
The importance of vitamin A for healthy vision is no longer a secret. The good news is that dragon fruit is rich in beta-carotenoids, which are converted into vitamin A in the body, providing 50% of the total recommended dietary requirement for vitamin A.
Beta-carotene protects against light sensitivity, cataracts and other related eye diseases. The vitamin C contained in the fruit nourishes the cornea and supports color vision.
Is dragon fruit safe during pregnancy?
If you are pregnant and do not know if dragon fruit is good for pregnant women, take pitahaya immediately without hesitation.
Dragon fruit is rich in B vitamins, iron and folic acid. Increase the production of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and hemoglobin (Hb) in the body and protect the fetus from birth defects. Due to this property, it is highly recommended for iron deficiency anemia.
In addition, the calcium content in dragon fruit helps strengthen bones and also increase energy levels during pregnancy.
Dragon fruit pulp contains vitamin C, which increases the absorption of iron in the body, thus completing the benefits of dragon fruit.
In the menopausal phase, the potassium found in dragon fruit protects women from severe symptoms and complications.
You should consult a gynecologist for professional advice before eating during pregnancy.
How to cut dragon fruit to eat?
The many benefits of dragon fruit will certainly not disappoint you if you find it in the market. Take a piece of your dragon fruit and prepare it to eat by following these simple steps;
- Take the dragon fruit and wash it well to avoid infection.
- Cut the fruit into two parts.
- Remove the pulp or remove the skin with your fingers, it is soft enough for this.
- Cut the meat into slices, cubes and balls (using a shaper) and enjoy.
- You can also mix pitahaya pulp cubes with other fruits of your choice and enjoy the slightly sweet taste of the fruit in a fruit smoothie.
Can you eat raw dragon fruit?
The versatile dragon fruit can be eaten in many unique ways. Discover tropical pitahaya recipes with us;
- Eat dragon fruit for incredible health benefits.
- Dessert: Garnish your dessert with pitahaya slices.
- Smoothies: Add fruits to your smoothies to get a special taste.
- Sauce: Fish, shrimp and other shellfish go well with the soft and delicate taste of pitahaya sauce.
- Salsa: Dragon fruit is also great for adding to salsa.
- Salad: Remove the dragon fruit and serve with a salad of your choice.
- Jams and Marmalades: Fruit skins can also be used in various dishes and jams. The skin can also be made into a tea that has incredible health benefits.
Therefore, juices, smoothies, savory dishes and desserts become more delicious when combined with dragon fruit.
How to store dragon fruit?
Storing this beautiful and delicate fruit is not much different from other fruits such as kiwi or pear.
- Dragon fruit can be stored in a cool and dry place. You can store in the refrigerator in an airtight plastic bag for up to 2 weeks.
- If you plan to store the pitaya after cutting it, cover it in an airtight container and refrigerate. Try to take it as early as possible because there is a possibility of loss of nutrients or quality.
You can consult a nutritionist for professional advice depending on your health condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can dragon fruit be eaten daily?
You can eat dragon fruit, which is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, every day because it has many health benefits. It is a low-calorie fruit that is also beneficial for diabetes.
2. Is dragon fruit good for the brain?
Dragon fruit has the ability to increase the production of iron and red blood cells, which increases blood flow to the brain, protecting it from any type of stroke or damage.
3. What happens if you eat too much dragon fruit?
Although dragon fruit is safe for daily consumption and has several health benefits, it can cause allergic reactions, vomiting, and itching (skin reactions) if taken in excess.