Top 10 Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit

What is Dragon Fruit?

Dragon fruit, which is also known as pitahaya, is abundantly found in the tropical and subtropical regions of South America and Asia.

The fruit is appropriately called so as its outer skin resembles a cactus. It is considered to be a cactus plant and has vibrant green and reddish pink color with a creamy white flesh with black seeds inside.

Dragon Fruit - Nutrition Facts

Nutritional facts for the red- skinned, white fleshed dragon fruit are given as per 100 g of edible serving of the fruit.

Nutrient	Amount
Water	87 g
Protein	1.1 g
Fat	0.4 g
Carbohydrates	11.0 g
Fiber	3 g
Vitamin B1	0.04 mg
Vitamin B2	0.05 mg
Vitamin B3	0.16 mg
Vitamin C	20.5 mg
Calcium	8.5 mg
Iron	1.9 mg
Phosphorus	22.5 mg

Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit

Helps Decrease Bad Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure: Dragon fruit is an excellent source of monounsaturated fats and hence helps in maintaining the health of the heart. It possesses natural ability to reduce the bad cholesterol and replenish the level of good cholesterol. Therefore, including dragon fruit in the diet helps you in combating cardiovascular health problems. It also maintains healthy tissues around the heart and hence reduces blood pressure and other cardiovascular disorders. It alleviates high levels of oxidative stress and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Prevents Cancer: Dragon fruit is rich in antioxidants which alleviate the factors producing cancer.

Reduces Signs of Aging: The antioxidants in dragon fruit tightens the skin and gives it a youthful appearance. It also has anti-aging properties and reduces facial wrinkles. The antioxidants work against the free radicals thus delaying the aging of the skin.

Helps in Good Digestion: Dragon fruit has a high fiber content which makes it a great remedy for poor digestion and constipation. The flesh and seeds of the fruit contain protein which fortifies the body and also maintains good health. It helps in stimulating the bowel movement.

Helps Maintain Healthy Hair: Dragon fruit keeps the hair follicles open, allows it to breathe and keeps them healthy and smooth. It is excellent for treating colored hair.

Suppresses Arthritis: Dragon fruit can help alleviate symptoms of arthritis such as irritation and immobility. Health benefits of dragon fruit for people with arthritis are so good that the fruit has been rechristened as “anti-inflammatory fruit.”

Soothes Skin Problems: Dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C, and it acts as an excellent good ointment for acne skin. It can also soothe sun burned skin and aids in moisturizing skin as it is rich in vitamin B3. When mixed with cucumber juice and honey, dragon fruit help soothe burned skin.

Regulates Diabetes: Due to its high fiber content,dragon fruit helps in normalizing the blood sugar levels by reducing the increase in blood sugar levels.

Boosts Immunity: Minerals and vitamins present in dragon fruit such as vitamins C, B1, B2 and B3, calcium, phosphorus, iron, protein, and niacin help in improving the function of immune system. It helps in preventing respiratory disorders, cough, cold, flu and even asthma.

Helps in Weight Management: Dragon fruit is an excellent ingredient and can be included in the  weight loss diets, as it has very low levels of cholesterol. Dragon fruit gives you a feeling of fullness for a long time and the fiber content also helps in enhancing the metabolic rate thus aids in weight management.

Dragon Fruit Recipe

Fruit Salad with Chocolate Sauce Topping

Ingredients:

For the Chocolate Sauce:

• 25 g/1oz unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp. cocoa powder
• 50g/13/4 oz. castor sugar
• 100 ml/31/2fl oz. double cream<

For the Fruit Salad:

• ½ mango peeled, stone removed, cut into cubes
• ½ dragon fruit peeled, flesh cut into cubes
• 1 tbsp. roughly chopped fresh mint leaves

Preparation

Chocolate sauce is prepared by melting butter in a frying pan over medium flame. Add cocoa powder and castor sugar and mix well. Add the double cream and stir continuously until a smooth consistency is achieved. Fruit salad is prepared by mixing mango cubes and dragon fruit cubes in a bowl along with mint leaves. Before serving, drizzle  chocolate sauce over the fruit salad and enjoy the delicacy.