Looking for amazing benefits of dragon fruit? If you’ve ever been to the market, you’ve definitely seen an exotic-looking, spiky fruit. That is the dragon fruit. Most people describe dragon fruit as having pink peel, green/yellow scales, and white flesh studded with small black seeds. While it tastes fantastic, its appearance is far more striking than its taste.
If you’ve never tried dragon fruit then you should taste it not for the shake to try it but also for the health benefits it provides. With that in mind, we’ve prepared this article to assist you in understanding the benefits of dragon fruit and the nutritional value it can bring to you and your family.
What Is Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or strawberry pear, is a lovely tropical fruit that is both sweet and crisp. The fruit is actually a sort of cactus from the genus Hylocereus, which contains roughly 20 different species. Dragon fruit, which was once popular in Southeast Asia and Latin America, is now produced and relished all over the world.
The fruit is named by its look, which is similar to that of an artichoke, the sharp “scales” encircling the oval-shaped fruit are reminiscent of a dragon. The fruit is available in four varieties: three with pink skin, one with white flesh, one with red flesh, and one with purple flesh. The fourth type has yellow skin and white flesh. Like kiwifruit, they all feature tiny black seeds that are edible. Dragon fruit can be expensive depending on the kind and where it is grown.
Dragon Fruit Nutrition Facts
One 6-ounce serving of dragon fruit cubes contains:
- Calories: 102
- Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 2 grams
- Carbohydrates: 22 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Sugars: 13 grams
- Vitamin A: 100 international units (IU)
- Vitamin C: 4 milligrams
- Calcium: 31 milligrams
- Iron: 0.1 milligram
- Magnesium: 68 milligrams
Dragon Fruit Health Benefits
Dragon fruit has many health benefits, which include:
- It has a high concentration of antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenolic acid, and betacyanin. These natural compounds protect your cells from free radical damage, which can lead to diseases such as cancer and premature aging.
- It may aid in lowering the blood sugar levels. Researchers believe this is due in part to the fact that it repairs damaged cells in your pancreas that produce insulin, the hormone that helps your body break down sugar. However, the experiments were conducted on mice rather than humans.
- It’s naturally low in fat and high in fiber. It’s a wonderful snack since it keeps you fuller for a longer period of time.
- It can help to boost your immune system. Dragon fruit is abundant in vitamin C and other antioxidants that are beneficial to the immune system.
- It has the potential to increase your iron levels. Iron is essential for carrying oxygen through your body and providing energy, and dragon fruit contains iron. Further, the vitamin C in dragon fruit aids your body’s absorption and use of iron.
- It contains prebiotics, which are foods that nourish the good bacteria in your gut known as probiotics. Increasing your intake of prebiotics can help to enhance the balance of good to bad bacteria in your intestines. Dragon fruit, in particular, promotes the growth of the probiotic bacteria lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. These and other beneficial bacteria in your stomach can fight disease-causing viruses and germs. They also aid in digestion.
- Since dragon fruit is high in iron, eating it while pregnant can help avoid anemia. It also has important minerals including potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These nutrients promote healthy blood circulation, bone growth, and brain health.
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Side Effects Of Dragon Fruit
Although dragon fruit has few identified negative effects, on rare occasions, people have allergic responses with symptoms such as rashes, itching, nausea, and mouth swelling. However, there have been very few reports of allergic reactions to dragon fruit.
Best Ways To Eat Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit, like any other fruit, is best eaten raw. However, if you want to add a little punch to it, dragon fruit can be consumed in a variety of ways. Here are a handful of them:
Dragon Fruit Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 Dragon fruit, peeled and cut into cubes
- 1 cup fresh fruit (pomegranate, apple, kiwi, grapes, watermelon)
- 1 cup lettuce leaves torn
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped mint leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
To make the dressing, combine all of the ingredients and set aside. Combine the dragon fruit, other fruits, and lettuce in a mixing dish. Serve with the dressing drizzled on top.
Dragon Fruit Smoothie
Ingredients:
- One Dragon fruit
- Mint leaves
- 1 Cup Yoghurt
Method:
Cut dragon fruit into small pieces or scoop out the flesh creamy white part with a spoon. Chop the mint leaves into small pieces. In a blender, combine the chopped mint leaves, dragon fruit flesh, and yogurt. Blend until you have no lumps in it. Pour into a glass and top with ice and fresh mint leaves.
Conclusion
Dragon fruit is a unique exotic fruit with numerous health benefits. Dragon fruit is a superfood that can improve your overall health and well-being by treating cancer, increasing cardiovascular health, boosting immunity, assisting digestion, and more. The best thing is that you can eat dragon fruit raw, in smoothies, as salad dressing, or in any other way you like.