Dragon Fruit Benefits

 

Many people are unaware of the health advantages of dragon fruit, which also have a delicious, creamy texture and tiny seeds that are somewhat reminiscent of kiwis. 

Food known as dragon fruit is produced on the Hylocereus climbing cactus, which can be found all over the world in tropical climates. The Greek word "hyle," which means "woody," and the Latin word "cereus," which means "waxen," are the origins of the plant's name.

The fruit looks like a bright pink or yellow bulb from the exterior, with spike-like green leaves surrounding it that rise up like flames. As you cut it open, you'll discover spongy white material within that is edible and flecked with black seeds.

Some people compare the flavor of dragon fruit, which is juicy and slightly sweet, to a cross between a kiwi, a pear, and a watermelon. The taste of the seeds is nutty.

Benefits of Dragon Fruit for Health:

The Chinese assert that this fruit came from the fire of a dragon that had been fighting, which is an intriguing detail about it. There is something about this fruit that makes it extremely nutritious for us, dispelling the myth around it. The consumption of dragon fruit has the following health advantages.

1-Lowers Cancer Risks:

The risk of colon cancer can be decreased by this fruit's anti-cancer characteristics. Its abundant vitamin C content is crucial in enhancing the immune system. A potent antioxidant, vitamin C protects you from developing chronic illnesses including diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cancer, etc.

Red dragon fruit includes lycopene, a potent antioxidant that gives red fruits their color, in addition to vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant known for boosting the immune system and preventing cancer.

According to research, this antioxidant can aid in the body's reduction of malignant cells. Red dragon fruit extract may help treat and prevent breast cancer, according to some reports, however, additional research is needed to determine its function in the chemoprevention of breast cancer. 

2-Heart-Healthy:

If you want to improve your cardiovascular health and maybe lower your risk of heart attack and stroke, dragon fruit may be the ideal food for you. According to a study, the antioxidants in the fruit and its edible seeds supply your body with omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids and also aid in lowering total cholesterol, including the levels of LDL "bad" cholesterol, all of which can enhance cardiovascular health. The reduction of artery plaque with improved cholesterol encourages healthy blood flow.

3-Decreases Diabetes Risk:

This fruit has a lot of fiber, which helps patients with diabetes maintain blood sugar levels and prevent spikes. Consuming this fruit frequently can help diabetics maintain healthy blood sugar levels and avoid further medical complications.

In addition to helping persons with type 2 diabetes lose weight and feel fuller for longer, dragon fruit's fiber can also assist maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

 4-Strengthens Immunity:

This fruit has significant levels of vitamin C, which strengthens your defenses and keeps you healthy. Greater vitamin C enables your body to combat potentially fatal illnesses that you may be susceptible to. To maintain your health, all you have to do is eat 1 cup (200 grams) of this fruit each day.

Vitamin C, which is present in dragon fruit, helps strengthen your immune system and protect your body from free radicals and foreign invaders like germs and bacteria. In the body, free radicals are unstable atoms that can harm cells. 

5-Beneficial to Digestion:

The oligosaccharides (a carbohydrate) found in this fruit are a rich source of healthy bacteria like flora, which promote easy digestion. It has a lot of fiber, which is good for the digestive system and lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

6-Combats Skin Aging:

Stress, pollution, and other factors including poor diet and others can all hasten age. But, it contains a lot of antioxidants that can be used to cure acne, dry skin, and sunburn. Vitamin C in it may contribute to more radiant skin. For glowing skin, you can make dragon fruit juice and consume it once a day.

Consuming dragon fruit is also good for your skin. Age spots, wrinkles, dry skin, and acne can all be lessened with it. Vitamin C and antioxidants in the fruit are responsible for any potential skin benefits. Certain vitamins and minerals may help cells gradually heal damage.

7-Strong Bones:

Several things, like avoiding injuries and experiencing less joint discomfort, can be influenced by good bone health. This superfruit helps to strengthen bones and maintain good bone health because it contains 18% magnesium. You only need to consume one glass of smoothie with dragon fruit each day.

Joint inflammation known as arthritis can cause excruciating pain and even immobility. Those with inflammatory diseases like arthritis are reported to benefit from dragon fruit. As a result, it is frequently referred to as an "anti-inflammatory fruit."

8-Helpful for Hair:

Want thick, glossy, black hair? Try mixing 250ml of milk with dragon fruit powder once a day; it will be beneficial. This fruit extract powder's high vitamin content minimizes hair damage from artificial hair coloring and enhances hair texture, leaving hair smooth and glossy. All you have to do to see changes is to take this one time every day.

A natural dye made from dragon fruit is for.  The skin of dragon fruit is ideal for coloring hair and promoting hair development.

Also, because it has a large amount of iron, it nourishes the hair. If your iron levels are higher, more oxygen will be able to reach your hair follicles, resulting in healthy, beautifully colored hair. Even hair that has been chemically damaged and turned unhealthy can benefit from it.

9-Healthy for Eyes:

The fruit's coloring agent, beta-carotene, helps to shield the eyes from conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration. You should have one cup (220 grams) of dragon fruit daily.

Beta-carotenes are necessary for healthy vision. Dragon fruit contains beta-carotene, which may improve vision and lower the incidence of cataracts and macular degeneration. 

10-May Improve Brain Function:

Dragon fruit consumption regularly may reduce the risk of brain degeneration. An experiment on animals revealed that red dragon fruit extract enhances memory and learning after lead exposure.

Magnesium is present in dragon fruit. Magnesium can improve mental health and alleviate depression.

11-Beneficial for Pregnancy:

This fruit is a great choice for expectant mothers because it is high in iron, folate, and vitamin B. During pregnancy, folate and b vitamins increase energy and prevent birth abnormalities. The fetus's developing bones are made possible by the calcium content of this food. Magnesium in it aids in the prevention of postmenopausal complications in women.

Because dragon fruit has a lot of iron, eating it while pregnant can help avoid anemia. Moreover, it has essential minerals including potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These nutrients support the health of the brain, bones, and blood flow.

12-Excellent Source of Vitamins and Minerals:

Nutrient-dense dragon fruit is available. It contains important minerals and vitamins as well as a good amount of carbohydrates. It has significant amounts of magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc in terms of minerals. Little amounts of copper and calcium are also present.

It reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke because of its high magnesium content.

Also, because the body needs magnesium for numerous activities, it helps the body do daily duties more effectively.

Vitamin-wise, it is a good source of vitamins A and C. Other vitamins are also present in trace amounts. This fruit is not only delicious but also healthy.

 13-Good for the Gut:

Prebiotics are unique fibers that are present naturally in dragon fruit. These beneficial fibers serve as food for the intestinal flora. Normally, these fibers cannot be broken down by the human intestine. Prebiotics in dragon fruit primarily helps your stomach's bifidobacteria and lactobacilli flourish. Regular prebiotic consumption lowers the risk of digestive system infections. It organically promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, which naturally wards off illnesses like diarrhea.

Ongoing studies are being done on the prebiotics found in dragon fruit. Nonetheless, preliminary research indicates favorable effects on the human gut, and it is presumed to be safe to eat even when suffering from gut infections.

Nutrition of Dragon Fruit:

The following is contained in a serving of six ounces of dragon fruit cubes:

102 calories

Fat  0 grams

Protein  2 grams 

Carbohydrates 22 g 

Fiber 5 grams 

Sugars  13 grams 

Moreover, you'll receive the following nutrients:

Vitamin A   100 international units  (IU)

Vitamin C  4 milligrams 

Calcium 31 milligrams

Iron  0.1 milligrams 

Magnesium 68 milligrams