SUPERFOOD
13 Surprising Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit!
Dragon Fruit. Did You just heard Dragons! Sounds so magical, right?
Makes you feel like you have gone back to the age of medieval magic times where a knight in a shining armor comes and saves the princess and gets rewarded with some magical dragon fruits.
Oh, that sounds so sweet!
But no. sorry to disappoint you but dragon fruit is not a magical fruit of the medieval age, instead it is a magical fruit of the present. For all those who are practicing all their magic spells, hold on. Dragon fruit is not the spell type magic; it is more like a health type magic. Dragon Fruit is full of enormous health benefits but before we come to that, let’s find out what is a dragon fruit and how to properly eat it.
Dragon Fruit is full of enormous health benefits but before we come to that, let’s find out what is a dragon fruit and how to properly eat it.
What is a Dragon Fruit?
Yes, you heard that right. Dragon fruit is actually a fruit. It is very abundantly available in the tropical and sub-tropical region of south America and Asia. It is a common fruit in China, Vietnam, Thailand etc.
Scientific Name – Hylocereus undatus
Other Names – Pitaya, Moonlovers, Night blooming Cereus, Strawberry Pear, Belle of the Night, Conderella plant
Why is it Called a Dragon Fruit?
Was it consumed by Dragons during medieval times? No, it wasn’t. The dragon fruit got its name from its outer appearance. It looks a little bit like a cactus plant. Meaning to say, it has little horns on its surface with a little greenish color and hues of pink which looks like the skin of a dragon and hence the name.
How to Eat a Dragon Fruit?
While it may appear a little strange at first trying to figure out how to eat this fruit. It’s actually very simple. Slice it lengthwise and scoop out the white flesh or quarter it and peel off the leathery skin.
Remember, you only have to eat the white part with seeds (the flavor is mildly sweet and feels like a blend of kiwi fruit & pear fruit) and throw away the skin.
Dragon Fruit Nutrition
This fruit can be added to your salad. The pulp can be used to make jams, purees, sherbet and fruit pizzas.
The dragon fruit has approximately 60 calories each and has a very great deal of nutrients like vitamin C, B1, B2 and B3, and minerals such as iron, calcium, and phosphorus.
Per 100 gram of Dragon Fruit contains below Nutrients
| Water | 87 g |
| Protein | 1.1 g |
| Fat | 0.4 g |
| Carbohydrate | 11 g |
| Fibers | 3 g |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.04 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.05 mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 0.16 mg |
| Vitamin C | 20.5 mg |
| Calcium | 8.5 mg |
| Iron | 1.9 mg |
| Phosphorus | 22.5 mg |
Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit
1. Aids in Digestion
Dragon fruit has very high fiber content due to which it can be very good for the digestive system. It regulates the bowel movement. It helps to prevent gastrointestinal diseases like diarrhea, constipation and irritable bowel movement. It also helps in detoxification of the stomach.
2. Manages Blood Sugar Levels
Again, it is the fiber content which is responsible for maintaining the blood sugar level.
Usually, people suffering from diabetes suffer from health complications and are more prone to cardiovascular diseases. But the consumption of dragon fruit helps in reducing the risk of these problems.
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3. Supports Weight Loss
Dragon fruits are low in calories and high fiber which helps us feel full for a longer period. This causes suppression of hunger for a longer period which stops us from eating in between the meals. Being low in calories, it also prevents a person from putting on weight.
4. Boosts Immunity
Dragon fruit possesses Vitamin C which provides an antioxidant. These antioxidant qualities allow the white blood cells to function properly and hence improve the immunity system. The high water content of dragon fruits also helps in removing the toxins out of the body, which if not removed can lead to many health issues.
5. Prevents Cancer
The various types of antioxidant present in the dragon fruit help in fighting off the free radicals that can cause cancer. The lycopene from which dragon fruit is grown lowers the risk of prostate cancer types.
6. Reduces Signs of Aging
For all those people who are freaking out about growing old, dragon fruit is a real magical fruit. It prevents the loosening of skin and helps in keeping it young and smooth.
people who buy beauty products to mask their skin to make it look fit can instead use dragon fruit paste as a mask to make their skin look young.
7. Treats Colored Hairs
Often after coloring the hair, the hair starts to get damaged. Hair fall and split ends are some of the common problems, people dealt with. By applying dragon fruit shampoo or conditioner can treat the chemically treated hair color. It allows the air to reach the scalp by opening the follicles of the hair.
8. Maintains Eyes Health
Beta- carotene is present in the dragon fruit. Beta-carotene is required by the eye for both low-light vision and color vision. It helps to clear the cornea in the eye and protects the eye from harmful sun rays like that of the UV rays. With age, it prevents the weakening of the eyes. In addition, it contains plenty of vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps in proper functioning of the retinal cells and prevents against cataracts.For maximum benefits, drink a glass of dragon fruit juice daily. You can also enjoy this tasty fruit in a fruit salad.
9. Strengthens Bones & Teeth
Dragon fruit has a high content of phosphorus and calcium which are widely known to strengthen the bones. It also improves the network and action of nerves in our body. The tissues and weak bones and joints are constantly repaired and replaced.
It has anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent arthritis and other health issues.
10. Prevents Acne
This treatment is not just for teenagers. Rich in vitamin C, this fruit becomes a great topical ointment. Turn a slice of dragon fruit into a paste and apply it to your reddened areas on your face or skin, then rinse with water. For best results, use twice daily.
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11. Lowers Cholesterol
Dragon fruit seeds are a rich source of polyunsaturated fats, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids. The fruit itself is abundant in Antioxidants which makes it a perfect natural medicine to lower cholesterol.
12. Improves Cardiovascular Health
Good News for your Heart. Eating Dragon Fruits can help you keep your heart healthy. The antioxidants help in eliminating free radicals which are bad for the heart. The seeds contain polyunsaturated fats, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids which help in lowering the bad cholesterol and increasing the good cholesterol hence keeping the heart healthy.
13. Increases Hemoglobin in Blood
Helps in preventing Anemia by supplying enough Iron to the Blood. Iron is an essential element for producing hemoglobin in our body. Dragon fruit is an abundant source of natural iron.
So what are you waiting for? Visit your nearest fruit shop and get yourself some Dragon Fruits today.
