Dragon Fruit Health Benefits & Nutrition: Can dragon fruit be eaten daily?

If you’ve ever been to the market, you’ve probably seen a strange-appearing, spiky fruit that may have aroused your interest. That’s a “dragon fruit,” then. Dragon fruit is most commonly described as having a pink peel, green or yellow scales, and white flesh that is studded with small black seeds. The moniker, which was inspired by a mythical beast, gives it a dramatic appearance that contrasts greatly with the delicious flavor.

In the market nowadays, you may get dragon fruits in a variety of colors, including those with yellow skin and white meat and red skin and red flesh. Different dragon fruit kinds not only have diverse appearances but also somewhat different tastes.

If you’ve never had a dragon fruit, you should because of its flavor as well as the health advantages it provides. In order to assist you understand the advantages of dragon fruit and the nutritional worth it offers to you and your loved ones, we have written this post.

What Is Dragon Fruit?

Dragon fruit is a food that grows on a climbing cactus called hylocereus, which you’ll find in tropical regions around the world. The Greek word “hyle,” which means “woody,” and the Latin word “cereus,” which means “waxen,” are the origins of the plant’s name. Due to its superior nutritional and antioxidant profile, dragon fruit, which is native to Central America, is referred to be a “superfood.” This tropical fruit’s skin is a fiery shade of pinkish-red. It has a mild flavor and a texture that is a cross between a kiwi, a pear, and a passion fruit. 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.

 

Nutritional Value of Dragon Fruit

Depending on the species and the region where it is grown, dragon fruit can weigh anywhere from 150 grams to 600 grams. A whopping 60% of the fruit is edible and loaded with health benefits.

Dragon fruit has a lot of fiber and antioxidant qualities, as well as some vitamins and minerals that are good for our health. To provide you a thorough understanding of the dragon fruit’s health advantages, we have provided tables in this section that detail the nutritional content of the fruit.

A 100-gram serving of dragon fruit contains:

• Calories – 60

• Protein – 2.0 gram

• Carbohydrates – 9.0 grams

• Fat – 2.0 gram

• Fibre – 1.5 grams

Considering the above table, it can be said that dragon fruit contains all the necessary nutrients required for better health.

 

Dragon Fruit Health Benefits

Dragon fruit has many potential health benefits, including:

1. It contains a lot of antioxidants, including betacyanin, phenolic acid, and flavonoids. These organic compounds shield your cells from the harm caused by free radicals, which are chemicals that can cause conditions like cancer and early aging.

2. It has a lot of fiber and is naturally fat-free. It is a fantastic snack since it can keep you full between meals for a longer period of time.

3. It might aid in lowering blood sugar. According to researchers, this may be partially attributed to the fact that it replaces destroyed pancreatic cells that produce the hormone insulin, which aids in the body’s breakdown of sugar. However, mice, not humans, were used in the investigations. It’s unknown how much dragon fruit you would need to consume to reap these advantages.

4. It has prebiotics, which are nutrients that provide your probiotics—healthy bacteria—food to eat. The ratio of beneficial to harmful bacteria in your intestines can be improved by increasing the intake of prebiotics. Dragon fruit specifically promotes the development of the probiotics lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. These and other beneficial bacteria in your gut have the ability to eradicate pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Additionally, they aid in food digestion.

5. Your immune system may get stronger as a result. The immune system benefits from the vitamin C and other antioxidants found in dragon fruit.

6. Your iron levels may rise as a result. Iron is necessary for the body to transport oxygen and provide energy, and dragon fruit contains iron. And the vitamin C in dragon fruit aids in the uptake and utilization of iron by the body.

 

Dragon Fruit Health Risks

Although studies have reported rare allergy responses, eating dragon fruit is typically safe. Tongue swelling, hives, and vomiting are among the symptoms. This kind of response appears to be fairly uncommon.

You can have pink or scarlet urine if you consume enough red dragon fruit. This symptom seems more severe than it really is. If you consume a lot of beets, the same thing may occur. Once you’ve digested the fruit, your urine should return to its regular hue.

 

The delectable tropical fruit known as dragon fruit is one you should try. It has a mouthwatering flavor, adds color to your meal, and provides important nutrients, prebiotic fibers, and healthy plant components – all in a low-calorie serving.

Dragon fruit is a wonderful option with numerous possible health benefits if you’re trying to diversify the fruits you eat.