Dragon fruit, otherwise called pitahaya or strawberry pear, is a tropical fruit known for its bright red skin and sweet, seed-spotted pulp. Due to its cactus plant origins, it has a one-of-a-kind look and is a rich source of nutrients, making it famous among foodies and health-conscious people. The sweet flavor of dragon fruit has been described as a cross between a kiwi, pear, and watermelon. Its small black seeds are said to have a nutty taste and are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids.
For the most part, dragon fruit is safe to eat and offers many health benefits due to its vitamin C and antioxidant properties. The fruit is low in calories, making it a perfect everyday snack. However, some may be allergic to the fruit, with symptoms including swelling of the tongue, hives, and vomiting. This sort of response is, by all accounts, rare.
If in case you eat too much red dragon fruit, it may turn your urine pink or red. This side effect looks more disturbing than it is. The same thing can occur if you eat too many beets. Your urine should return to its normal color once the fruit is fully out of your body.
There do not seem to be any side effects related to eating dragon fruit daily although it is still recommended to check with your doctor first.
Nutritional content of dragon fruit
In one six-ounce serving of dragon fruit, you'll get the following:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 102 |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugars | 13 g |
| Vitamin A | 100 IU |
| Vitamin C | 4 mg |
| Calcium | 31 mg |
| Iron | 1 g |
| Magnesium | 68 mg |
6 health benefits of dragon fruit
Dragon fruit has numerous health benefits that include:
- May help fight chronic diseases: Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause cell damage, which might prompt inflammation and diseases. One approach to battle free radicals is by eating antioxidant-rich food sources, such as dragon fruit. Antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals, consequently preventing cell damage.
- Loaded with fiber: Dragon fruit is rich in fiber and fat-free, which makes it a decent snack because it helps keep you full for longer between meals.
- May help control sugar: Dragon fruit might assist with reducing your glucose levels. Researchers say this may be partly because it replaces damaged cells in your pancreas that make insulin—the hormone that helps your body break down sugar.
- Promotes healthy gut: Dragon fruit contains prebiotics that is food sources for healthy bacteria in your gut. Having more prebiotics in your body can work on the equilibrium of good to bad bacteria in your intestine. In particular, dragon fruit encourages the development of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in your gut that can kill infection-causing viruses and bacteria.
- Strengthens the immune system: Dragon fruit can strengthen your immune system because it’s high in vitamin C and other antioxidants that are useful for immunity.
- Helps boost iron levels: Iron is significant for moving oxygen through your body and giving you energy, and dragon fruit is loaded with iron. What's more, is that vitamin C in dragon fruit helps your body take in and utilize the iron.
SLIDESHOW
Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think See Slideshowhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32378233/
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/get-to-know-the-incredible-edible-dragon-fruit/
https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/benefits-dragon-fruit
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