Dragon fruit is an amazing tropical fruit with numerous health benefits. Dragon fruit is a good source of dietary fiber, and has been found to be great for the heart and helpful in maintaining blood pressure and weight.
Dragon fruit (also referred to as pitaya or pink pitaya) is an amazing tropical fruit with numerous health benefits. It’s packed with antioxidants and dietary fibers, which have been linked to a reduced risk of chronic illness.
Its white pulp and small black seeds taste like a blend of kiwi and pear. Enjoy it raw or incorporate it into healthy recipes for an added boost of nutrition.
Dragon Fruit Benefits
High in antioxidants
Dragon fruit is an excellent source of antioxidants, essential for maintaining good health. They protect cells from free radical damage and inflammation that could otherwise lead to diseases like cancer.
They are also packed with vitamin C, which strengthens your immunity and keeps skin supple. Furthermore, this vital nutrient promotes collagen production for improved skin radiance.
Furthermore, they contain high amounts of fiber which helps keep your digestive tract functioning optimally and may reduce the risk for certain types of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
Also, these fruits contain prebiotics – food for beneficial bacteria in your gut – which provide energy and nutrition to boost energy levels throughout the day.
A study conducted in Israel revealed that different species of pitaya fruits harvested there had significant anticancer potential against human colon cancer cell lines (PC3).
The extracts from red and white pitaya fruits had cytotoxic potential towards these cancer cells at concentrations between 0.05-0.5 mg/mL, demonstrating their safety and selectivity for use against cancer cells.
Rich in vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant, helping to prevent cell damage, inflammation and cancer. Eating dragon fruit can provide you with your daily serving of this beneficial nutrient.
Vitamin C intake can reduce the risk of certain diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Additionally, it strengthens immunity while stimulating collagen production.
It also contains high levels of fiber which helps keep your digestive system healthy and clear. Furthermore, prebiotics act as fertilizer for beneficial bacteria in your gut.
Salads, smoothie bowls and shakes make for a delicious addition. However, you can also have it as a snack by itself or slice up some fruit to serve in a fruit bowl.
High in calcium
Dragon fruit, also referred to as pink pitaya or strawberry pear, is an aromatic tropical fruit with a flavor profile similar to that of kiwi and pears. Not only that but it’s naturally low in fat and high in fiber – making it an ideal snack or addition to salads or smoothies for health benefits.
Dragon fruit also boasts an impressive amount of calcium: six ounces of chopped dragon fruit provide 1.26 mg, essential for bone health and muscle function.
Consuming a diet high in calcium can reduce your risk for osteoporosis and help protect against bone loss, making it especially beneficial for women and men over 50.
Dragon fruit offers many health benefits, including its high fiber content which helps cleanse your digestive system and prevent constipation.
Furthermore, it contains prebiotics – beneficial bacteria for beneficial bacteria in your gut – which acts like fertilizer for these beneficial microbes.
Although nutrient-rich and healthy, be mindful that eating too much fiber may cause some gastrointestinal distress in some individuals. That’s because your body may need time to adjust to an abrupt increase in fiber consumption, according to Susan Bowerman.
High in fiber
Are you in search of a high-fiber food to add to your diet? Look no further than dragon fruit. Not only does it aid in feeling satiated, but it can also improve digestion and regulate blood sugar levels.
It’s also one of the highest sources of vitamin C on Earth. This fruit offers more vitamin C than a carrot, an essential nutrient for immune health and disease prevention.
It also contains plenty of other essential nutrients, like magnesium (approximately 17% of your recommended daily intake per 6-ounce serving) and riboflavin.
This fruit also contains prebiotics, which aid in digestion and nourish gut bacteria. Doctors refer to these oligosaccharides, which can be found both in the skin and seeds of this delightful fruit.
This tropical fruit is an excellent source of iron (about 1mg per 6-ounce serving, or 7% your recommended daily value), phosphorus, calcium and fiber – all of which help boost immunity, energy levels and brain function.
Can dragon fruit be eaten daily?
Yes, dragon fruit is relatively low in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals, making it a great choice for a snack or a healthy addition to meals.
However, it should be eaten in moderation due to its high sugar content. Consuming too much sugar can lead to weight gain, dental caries, and other health issues. Therefore, it is important to limit your intake of dragon fruit and other foods that are high in sugar.
100 grams of dragon fruit contains 9.75 grams of total sugar, and one cup has the highest, about 17.6 g. As such, it is advisable to moderate one’s dragon fruit intake, taking care to not exceed recommended sugar levels as outlined by dietary guidelines.
Which color of dragon fruit is healthy?
Both pink and yellow dragon fruit contain antioxidants and vitamins that make them a healthy option. The yellow dragon fruit has a higher concentration of antioxidants, but the pink dragon fruit has a higher concentration of vitamins.
So both colors are healthy, just in different ways. The antioxidants in the yellow dragon fruit help to protect cells from damage, while the vitamins in the pink dragon fruit help to support the immune system and maintain healthy skin and hair.
Dragon fruit contains 7 grams of fiber per serving. This makes dragon fruit an excellent addition to any healthy diet, as it provides a variety of beneficial nutrients.
