Dragon fruit is a fruit that offers multiple benefits and is indigenous to Central America. This fruit is also grown in Southeast Asia.
This dragon fruit offers benefits that are magical. This fruit grows and flourishes in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Central America and Asia in abundance. The outer skin of this fruit is more like a cactus. This is a vibrant green with hues that are reddish indicating the many nutrients present in this fruit.
Dragon fruit is also known as pitaya and contains around 60 calories each. the fruit is rich in Vitamin B1, B2, B3, and C along with minerals like phosphorus, calcium, and iron. You can term this as a ‘super fruit’.
Some Benefits of Dragon Fruit
- Less Cholesterol
This fruit has extremely low cholesterol. This means the body can easily break down the fruit, keeping you healthy. You can satisfy your sweet tooth besides maintaining your weight with this fruit.
- Intake of Fiber
Dragon fruit helps in clearing up your digestive tract due to the amount of fiber this contains. This can be a ‘perfect’ fruit for those suffering from constipation and poor digestion. The seeds and the flesh of dragon fruit has a high content of protein and can help in keeping your body satisfied and fortified.
- Fighting Diabetes
Diabetes can be regulated with the intake of dragon fruit due to the high content of fiber. This controls sugar spikes by regulating the levels of blood sugar. Before you add the dragon fruit to your routine diet, it is advisable to consult a doctor, especially if you are diabetic.
- Active Antioxidants
It is important to include foods that are rich in antioxidants in your diet as these foods can help the body get rid of any free radicals and also bring down the risk of cancer. Dragon fruit is one such fruit that contains a high number of antioxidants.
- Healthy for the Heart
Cardiovascular diseases are on a rise at present times. Including dragon fruit in your diet can bring down the bad cholesterol and decrease the risk of cardiovascular problems. This helps the condition of the heart as it contains monounsaturated fats.
- Reduces Ageing Signs
Your skin remains firm and tight with the intake of dragon fruit on a regular basis. This is due to the many antioxidants present. You have the option of using this fruit as a face mask. All you need to do is combine this with honey and apply it on your face. You can wash this off after some time.
- Avoids Acne
Take a slice of dragon fruit and mash this up into a paste. You need to apply this on the affected areas on your face. You can then wash this off. This helps in managing acne. You can use this two times a day for maximum benefit.
- Suppressing Arthritis
Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints. This leads to a lot of pain and discomfort. With regular consumption of dragon fruit, you can tackle this disease better.
Making Dragon Fruit an Everyday Fruit
Bored of consuming apples or bananas every day? Consult your doctor and make dragon fruit your ‘everyday fruit’. You can scoop off the fruit with a spoon and enjoy the goodness of this fruit.
Potential Side Effects of Dragon Fruit
There are few people who go through anaphylactic reactions after consuming this fruit. This is not very common but it is important to ensure that you are not among the few who are allergic to dragon fruit.
Another side effect of this fruit is known as ‘pseudohematuria’. This is when your stool or urine gets red. This effect is not permanent and can be sorted out once the fruit is out of your system.
How to choose dragon Fruit
The dragon fruit you choose needs to have an even red skin. It is important to ensure this is firm.
You need to wash this thoroughly with cold water, then slice this and scoop out the pulp which is to be eaten. You can also peel the skin and slice this into slices or chunks.
Final Say on Dragon Fruit
This fruit grows easily in warm climates. If this is not available around you, you might have to pay a hefty price.
