Dragon fruit, available in supermarkets worldwide, may be a unique treat if you’re bored with always eating the same thing. There are many health benefits of dragon fruit. If you’re searching for something new to eat, dragon fruit, which has white flesh and black seeds and is brightly colored, might be worth a try. By incorporating dragon fruit into your diet, you can harness its benefits and contribute to your total health and fitness.
What is Dragon Fruit (Also known as Pitaya or Pitahaya)?
Dragon fruit is a fleshy, sweet treat that looks like a fruit. It’s a tall plant that looks like grass. It’s native to Central America and thrives in humid, tropical areas. However, according to the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation, a different tale is told: “The dragon fruit was created thousands of years ago by a dragon in combat who blasted out a wave of fire with the fruit inside, according to ancient Chinese stories.” its website states.
Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that looks like a pear with red or pink flesh. Other names for dragon fruit include strawberry pear and pitaya, which translates to “thorny leaf.”
Hylocereus is the cactus plant from which real pitaya (or dragon fruit) is derived. It’s a fast-growing crop that can live for over 20 years if left alone.
Is a Dragon Fruit Sweet or Sour? What to Expect From Its Flavor
You may be hesitant to try dragon fruit because of its distinctive appearance. Don’t be alarmed by its odd appearance. You’ll probably appreciate dragon fruit if you enjoy sweet-tasting, rather than sour, fruit.
Dragon fruit is sometimes compared to a kiwi and pear taste. If you enjoy these fruits, there’s a good chance you’ll like dragon fruit.
What Are the Various Varieties of Dragon Fruit?
There are several varieties of dragon fruit. The three most common ones are:
- Hylocereus undatus or pitaya blanca: The tone is red. The color of the skin changes to pink, and the flesh becomes white. It has black seeds.
- Hylocereus costaricensis or pitaya roja: Tomato plants should be treated as summer companions to zucchini, cucumbers, and squash. Plants produce fruit in the following colors: white, green, yellow, orangey-pink/red skin, red flesh (when ripe), and black seeds.
- Hylocereus megalanthus or pitaya amarilla: The black seeds were found in large quantities, with a yellowish skin, white meat, and black covering.
What Are the Nutrition Facts of Dragon Fruit?
According to the US, dragon fruit contains several elements and vitamins that may improve one’s health. If you’re trying to watch your waistline and eat less, you’ll be relieved to hear that 100 grams (g) of dragon fruit (which can be eaten in bite-size pieces) has about 60 calories. According to the USDA, it contains approximately 60 calories per 100 g.
Another benefit of dragon fruit is that it has 2.9 grams of fiber (11% DV) in the same amount; Maintain a steady, healthy diet.
- Milligrams (mg) of calcium: 1,800 milligrams are recommended per day (1.8% DV).
- Vitamin A (Retinol) is present at 10,000 international units (IU) per day.
- Finely milled rice bran (25 g) provides 13 mg of magnesium (13% DV).
- 3.5 grams of riboflavin (1.8% DV) and 1.4 mg of vitamin C (0.25% DV).
- 0.5 mg of iron, or 2% of the daily intake (4.1% DV).
- The protein content in ripe avocado is 12.48 g (0.95% DV).
What Are the Benefits of Dragon Fruit?
Given that dragon fruit is high in vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants that may help prevent disease, it should surprise no one that eating this fruit on a regular basis can benefit your health and well-being.
Here are some of the benefits of dragon fruit may provide.
Cardiovascular Health Is Improved
Dragon fruit is a wonderful food for improving your heart health and possibly reducing your chance of heart attack and stroke. The fruit contains antioxidants, and the fact that its seeds – which are edible — provide your body with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids helps to decrease LDL “bad” cholesterol levels. Improving your cholesterol level can aid in the reduction of plaque accumulation in your arteries, which is beneficial to blood flow.
Strengthens Your Immune System
A weakened immune system makes people more vulnerable to a range of diseases. The common cold and other viruses are examples of this.
Vitamin C is found in dragon fruit, which has been shown to boost the immune system and protect the body from foreign invasives (bugs and germs). Free radicals are unstable atoms in the body that can cause cell injury.
Helps to Improve Your Digestion
Dragon fruit is high in dietary fiber, which may help to promote good digestion and gut health. Adults require between 21 and 38 grams of fiber each day. Dragon fruit (Carica papaya) contains 2.9 grams of fiber, which is 11% of the daily value. Dietary fiber is important for maintaining a healthy digestive system and can help with constipation.
It Has a Role in Cancer Prevention
Vitamin C’s immuno-boosting properties prevent cancer, and red dragon fruit also includes lycopene, an important antioxidant that gives red fruits their color.
This antioxidant has been found to aid in the reduction of cancerous cells in the body. According to certain reports, red dragon fruit extract may play a role in preventing and treating breast cancer, but further research is necessary to determine whether it affects chemoprevention.
Lowers Blood Sugar in People With Diabetes
Dragon fruit is also said to help people with diabetes manage blood sugar levels, allowing them to maintain a normal level for longer.
Dragon fruit also has skin-beneficial effects. It may aid in the reduction of sun damage, wrinkles, dryness, and acne. The fruit’s vitamin C and antioxidants provide skin benefits. When combined with one another, these vitamins and minerals can assist in the recovery of cell damage and result in a more youthful look.
It aids in the maintenance of healthy skin
Dragon fruit is also beneficial to your skin. It may aid in the prevention of wrinkles, dry skin, and acne. The fruit’s vitamin C and antioxidants are responsible for the skin benefits. These vitamins and minerals can help to repair cell damage, giving you a more youthful appearance.
Anti-inflammatory Effect
Eating dragon fruit might help with chronic pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis or other conditions. The fruit has anti-inflammatory effects that might help to alleviate these problems.
Even if you can’t stop eating the fruit, it may help you live a better quality of life by decreasing the severity of your agony.
Wards off anemia in pregnancy
Anemia in pregnant women is linked to infant mortality, early labor, miscarriages, and low birth weight.
Research published in the Belitung Nursing Journal investigated the effects of red dragon fruit on pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia and discovered that it improved the hemoglobin and erythrocyte levels by 7 days.
Because of these findings, researchers think that red dragon fruit juice might be a substitute therapy for anemia during pregnancy. Nonetheless, you should still talk to your doctor about properly managing anemia.
Is Dragon Fruit good for weight loss?
No special meal will swiftly melt fat from your body for a slimmer appearance. You can, however, observe an incredible change in your physique by making the proper food selections.
Dragon fruit is also high in fiber, which helps keep you full for longer. You can eat dragon fruit as a snack between meals without feeling guilty since it is low in calories.
Dragon fruit’s fiber can also assist you feel fuller. When you are full sooner, you will be more likely to consume less food, which can help you lose weight.
Is dragon fruit beneficial to weight loss?
There is no secret substance for melting fat from your body to create a slimmer appearance. You can, however, notice a substantial difference in your physique with the correct nourishment choices.
Dragon fruit is low-calorie, so you can consume it as a snack between meals without feeling guilty.
Dragon fruit is also high in fiber, which can help you feel fuller. You’ll eat less calories if you’re satisfied sooner, which can aid your weight reduction efforts.
How to Choose and Preserve Dragon Fruit for Its Tastiest Flavor
When you go to the grocery store, there’s a good chance you’ve passed over dragon fruit for the more common apple or orange. Exotic fruit may appear frightening to some people. Where can you purchase dragon fruit? How do you know when it’s ripe? What should you do with it once it’s ripe?
Your worries are understandable, but picking and keeping dragon fruit is far easier than you might imagine.
Avoid purchasing a dragon fruit with many bruises or brown streaks. One or two minor marks is acceptable, but don’t get fruit with numerous flaws.
You should buy fruit that is ripe. The color of the fruit should be bright and even. You may also tell whether or not a dragon fruit is delicious by softly pressing the skin with your finger. It should give a little, but it shouldn’t be too squishy.
It’s fine to get a very hard dragon fruit. Just keep in mind that it will take a few days for it to mature and you’ll be able to consume it.
‘How Do I Eat a Dragon Fruit?’ Preparation and Cooking Instructions
Remove the skin from the dragon fruit before eating. Cut the fruit in half or quarters, peel off the skin, and scoop out the flesh with a spoon.
Simply rinse the potatoes with cold water, place them in a plastic bag, and keep them in the fridge for up to five days. The fruit may also be kept in the freezer for up to three months. This is ideal if you want to blend dragon fruit with other fruits. Unlike other fruits, the skin of a dragon fruit isn’t edible.
Dragon fruit’s endless possibilities are one of its most appealing features. Some people eat the fruit alone, scooping out the flesh and eating it. Toss dragon fruit with pineapple, kiwi, blueberries, or strawberries in a serving bowl for a summer salad.
You might also use dragon fruit in a smoothie with other fruits. Dragon fruit may also be used in ice cream or yogurts. This week, try a Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl as a simple dish to make.
Another Way to Consume Dragon Fruit: Include It in Your Skin-Care Routine
Eating dragon fruit may not only help you maintain healthy skin, but it can also be used to make a mask that contains dragon fruit.
You may create your own mask using readily available ingredients. For example, purée one dragon fruit with a tablespoon (tbsp) of extra-virgin olive oil and 2 tbsp of honey to make your own mask.
Apply the serum to your face and wash off after 15 minutes. The antioxidants in dragon fruit may help increase skin suppleness, preventing early aging. You may also use a dragon fruit mask on your hair to encourage stronger, healthier strands.
Are There Any Known Negative Side Effects of Dragon Fruit?
The good news is that eating dragon fruit does not affect one’s health negatively. However, if you eat dragon fruit and experience allergic symptoms, stop consuming it immediately.
Symptoms of a food allergy include:
- Tingling or itchy sensations in the mouth
- Hives
- Lip or tongue swelling
- Nausea or vomiting is another possible side effect.
- Wheezing is when the airways narrow, inflamed, and noisy.
A Final Word on Why Dragon Fruit Should Be Consumed
When it comes to fruit, many individuals remain within their comfort zone and never venture outside of it. Given the many kinds of fruits, trying various types is one of the greatest methods to discover a new favourite. So, give dragon fruit a go – do it for your health and taste buds.
