What is Dragon Fruit?

Dragon fruit is a tasty and unique fruit, also regarded as a tropical superfood due to its number of advantages. It is also recognized as pitahaya or pitaya, and others call it strawberry pear.

However, pitaya technically varies from dragon fruit (pitahaya), as the first derives from the genus Stenocereus, whereas the latter comes from Hylocereus. Originally from Mexico, the dragon fruit is now grown across Latin America, particularly in Central and South America.

It is presumed that the New World immigrants probably took it to Southeast Asian nations like Thailand, Cambodia, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Vietnam, where it remains a key element of nutritional fruit consumption. Not just the fruit but also the nutrient-rich pitaya powder that is sold all over the world.

What Does It Taste Like?

Dragon Fruit has a flavor that is similar to a combination of kiwi and pear. Because of its white pulp and small black seeds, when you first cut open this fruit, it may appear to be a smoothie made with Oreos due to its appearance. This tropical fruit has a plethora of health benefits, and here’s why you should incorporate it into your day-to-day diet as soon as possible.

Dragon Fruit: Nutritional Information

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 100 grams (g) of dragon fruit has the following nutrients:

• 60 kilocalories
• 18 g protein
• 0 g fat
• 94 g carbohydrate
• Sugars (total): 7.65 g
• 9 g dietary fiber
• Sodium: 0 milligrams
• Calcium: 18 milligrams (mg).
• Magnesium: 40 milligrams
• 74 g iron
• 5 mg vitamin C
• 0 mg cholesterol

Dragon Fruit Health Benefits

Diabetes Risk is Reduced

Individuals suffering from diabetes benefit from the high amounts of fiber found in this fruit, which aids in keeping their blood sugar levels stable and preventing spikes. Regular consumption of this fruit can assist diabetics in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and avoiding further medical complications.

Skin Care

Owing to its high vitamin and antioxidant content, this exotic fruit is frequently used in natural remedies for beauty care. It is believed by ancient beauty practices in Southeast Asian countries that making a paste of dragon fruit flesh and applying it regularly to the face can help to slow down the process of aging, resulting in the appearance of a youthful appearance. Acne and sunburn are two other conditions that can be addressed with the paste.

Well-Built Bones and Teeth

A higher calcium content than many other fruits means that dragon fruit can help you meet your daily calcium requirements while also improving bone mineral density and preventing osteoporosis. Dragon fruit is also extremely high in vitamin C, which can help you meet your daily vitamin D requirements. According to an investigation led by Tufts University, a diet high in fruits and vegetables provides the optimal combination of nutrients, protein, and calcium to help increase bone density in the long term.

Optical Health and Wellness

According to scientific evidence, dragon fruit can slow the growth of human cytochrome P450 (a type of enzyme found in the liver). When it comes to congenital glaucoma, this protein is frequently implicated. Another benefit of this fruit, according to research published in the journal Food Chemistry, is that it contains beta-carotene, which protects the eyes from harmful free radicals and thus helps to keep macular degeneration and cataracts from happening.

It Is Beneficial for the Digestive System

A high concentration of oligosaccharides (a carbohydrate) in this fruit promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria such as flora, which is beneficial for digestion. It contains a lot of fiber, which is good for your digestive health as well as lowering your risk of getting cancer and cardiovascular disease as well.

Cancer-Related Risks Have Been Reduced

There are anti-cancer properties in this fruit, which may lower the risk of colon cancer. Its high concentration of vitamin C contributes significantly to the strengthening of the body’s defenses against infection. Vitamin C is an exceptionally potent antioxidant that aids in protecting you from developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, and other conditions that are caused by free radicals in the environment.

Contributes to the Enhancement of Immunity

This fruit flaunts a high concentration of vitamin C, which helps to boost immunity and keep you in good condition. Increased Vitamin C means that your body is better able to fight deadly infections to which you may be predisposed, such as influenza. Nothing more than consuming 1 cup (200 grams) of this fruit on a daily basis will keep you healthy.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Because dragon fruit powder contains a high concentration of anti-inflammatory compounds, it can be used to alleviate the pain associated with arthritis and other medical problems.

The Presence of Potassium in High Concentrations Is a Bonus

Dragon fruit is high in essential minerals, particularly potassium and calcium, both of which are beneficial for bone health. Our body’s cellular, electrical, and nervous functions are all greatly enhanced by regular potassium consumption. For the uninitiated, potassium is a critical component of our body’s water content, pH, and acid-base balance. An investigation by the Shiga University of Medical Science in Japan found that if you have diabetes, consuming a potassium-rich diet may help to protect your heart and kidneys.

Low Cholesterol

As far as cholesterol and saturated and trans fats are concerned, dragon fruit is exceptionally low. In the long term, regular consumption of the fruit can not only be refreshing, but it can also aid in the maintenance of a healthy heart. Individuals who are on a weight-loss program may find it beneficial to incorporate it into their diet. In addition, the seeds contained within the fruit are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are necessary for your health.

It Promotes the Cardiovascular System’s Health

Dragon fruit is low in saturated fats, which are harmful to the body. As a result, high HDL (“good” cholesterol) concentrations and low LDL (“bad” cholesterol”) concentrations in the bloodstream result as a result of this process. The likelihood of developing plaque in the arteries and veins is reduced, lowering your risk of developing atherosclerosis, suffering a heart attack, or suffering from a stroke.

It has a Significant Amount of Fiber in It

According to an investigation led by researchers at the University of Leeds, increased ingestion of fiber-rich foods can decline the risk of both coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Considering that dragon fruit is an excellent source of dietary fiber and thus beneficial to the heart, it also aids in the maintenance of healthy blood pressure and weight.

Beneficial for Women Who Are Pregnant

As a result of its high concentrations of vitamin B, folate, and iron, it is an excellent choice for pregnant women. It is believed that the consumption of B vitamins and folate during pregnancy helps to prevent birth defects and increase energy levels. The calcium content of this food is responsible for the development of the fetus’s bone structure. Due to the high magnesium content, it is beneficial for women experiencing postmenopausal complications.

Treatment of the Hair

Making dragon fruit or dragon fruit extract powder a regular part of your daily diet will help to preserve your hair looks and leave it feeling its best. With a high concentration of nutrients, it helps to mitigate the damage done to hair by the chemicals found in artificial hair color products. It also helps to improve the texture of your hair, as well as restore its sheen and radiance.

Buying Dragon Fruit

Fresh dragon fruit can be purchased at your local grocery store, and it is also available for purchase on the internet. When selecting one, ensure that the skin of the dragon fruit does not have any brown stains. If the fruit is squishy, it is likely that it has gone bad. Everyone, including adults and children, should consider red dragon fruit chips as a nutritious snack option. Due to the seasonality of the fruit, you may also incorporate freeze-dried dragon fruit powder, which is high in antioxidants, into your smoothies, granola, yogurt, and raw dessert recipes.

Side Effects of Dragon Fruit

Stomach Issues

Dragon fruit is good for our stomachs if we eat it on a regular and reasonable basis. This helps keep our digestive systems in good shape. A natural diuretic found in dragon fruit helps us defecate more often and to make sure that our stool leaves our bodies in a clean way.

Despite the fact that dietary fibers are good for our digestive health and have many benefits, dragon fruit should be eaten in moderation. This is because too much dietary fiber has been linked to health problems like a lack of nutrition absorption by the intestines, intestinal gas, intestinal obstruction, stomach pain, and flatulence.

Allergic Reactions

This fruit has a lot of health and beauty benefits that can be gained just by eating it. However, not everyone can use these benefits in the same way. Due to the fact that certain people are allergic to dragon fruit, they should avoid it at all costs.

If you’re allergic to dragon fruit, you shouldn’t eat it because it could make your lips and tongue swell, your throat get itchy, and your throat burn.

The Color of the Pee is Red

Red dragon fruit can make your pee pink or red if you eat a lot of it. This symptom looks a lot worse than it is. If you eat a lot of beets, something like this could happen. It should be the same color when the fruit is out of your body.