The dragon fruit thrives and grows in plenty in tropical and subtropical regions of South America and Asia. Yet there are many benefits of dragon fruit for the world. 

The Dragon Fruit’s outer skin is cactus-like and resembles the scales of a fabled dragon, thus its name. The brilliant green and reddish-pink colors of this cactus plant suggest that the fruit is rich in nutrients. At the same time, the creamy-white flesh speckled with black seeds provides numerous rich and natural characteristics.

These colorful fruits, also known as pitaya, have around 60 calories per serving and are high in vitamin C, B1, B2, and B3 and minerals like iron, calcium, and phosphorus. Not only that, but there’s more. This is without a doubt one of the greatest “super fruits” available.

You don’t have to live in the tropics to reap the advantages of dragon fruit, though. In reality, it’s available fresh or frozen in stores all around the world. 

Here are 7 benefits of dragon fruit.

1)High in Nutrients

Dragon fruit is low in calories but high in vitamins, minerals, and plant chemicals, including polyphenols, carotenoids, and betacyanins, all good for the body. Here’s a breakdown of the major nutrients in a one-cup (227-gram) serving: 

  • 3 g of protein 
  • 136 calories 
  • 0 grams of fat 
  • The RDI for iron is 8%. 
  • 29 grams of carbohydrates 
  • 7 grams of fiber 
  • Magnesium accounts for 18% of the RDI. 
  • 4 % of the RDI for vitamin E 
  • 9 % of the RDI for vitamin C

Dragon fruit has a very low cholesterol content, which helps the body swiftly break down the fruit, keeping you happy and healthy. It’s the ideal fruit for keeping your weight in check while still satisfying your sweet craving.

2)Fiber Loaded

dragon fruit

According to experts at the University of Leeds, increasing fiber-rich food consumption can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Because dragon fruit is high in dietary fiber, it is excellent for heart and blood pressure and weight management. Dietary fibers are non-digestible carbohydrates with a long list of possible health advantages.

Women should consume 25 grams of fiber per day, while males should consume 38 grams. Fiber pills, like antioxidants, do not provide the same health advantages as fiber from meals, and dragon fruit is a good whole-food source of fiber, with 7 grams per one-cup meal. Although fiber is best recognized for aiding digestion, evidence suggests it may also aid in the prevention of heart disease, the management of type 2 diabetes, and the maintenance of healthy body weight.

Eat dragon fruit to help your digestive system. They’re high in fiber, which can help with constipation and poor digestion. The meat and seeds, both of which are high in protein, will keep your body nourished and satiated.

3)Aids a Healthy Gut

There are 100 trillion different microorganisms in your stomach, including over 400 different bacteria species. Many scientists believe that this microbial ecosystem influences your health. In both human and animal research, gastrointestinal abnormalities have been linked to asthma and heart disease. The presence of prebiotics in dragon fruit can increase the balance of healthy bacteria in your gut (22).

Prebiotics are a form of fiber that encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria in your intestine. Your gut is unable to break down these fibers, as it is with all fibers. The bacteria in your stomach, on the other hand, can digest them. They use fiber as a source of energy, and you receive the rewards. Dragon fruit, in particular, encourages the growth of two types of beneficial bacteria: lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria.

Also Read, Passion Fruit – All you need to know

4)Skincare

benefits of dragon fruit

Dragon fruit is the most exotic and colorful of the numerous exotic and colorful fruits, and it is certainly a visual delight. This fruit is not only attractive, but it also has a wealth of health advantages. It’s chock-full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to help with general health and skin-related issues like wrinkles, acne, and sunburn.

Dragon fruit is supposed to be fantastic for acne-prone skin, and when applied topically, it works wonderfully. Because of its rich antioxidant and vitamin content, the exotic fruit is often utilized in natural beauty therapies. Making a paste of dragon fruit flesh and applying it to the face daily, according to ancient beauty techniques in Southeast Asian countries, can help slow down the aging process and make you seem younger. Acne and sunburn can also be treated with paste.

5)Strengthens Immunity

Several variables, including the quality of your nutrition, influence your body’s capacity to fight illness. Dragon fruit contains vitamin C and carotenoids, which may help your immune system prevent infection by preserving your white blood cells from harm. Your immune system’s white blood cells fight and eliminate dangerous things. They are, nonetheless, particularly vulnerable to free radical damage.

Vitamin C and carotenoids are powerful antioxidants that may neutralize free radicals and protect your white blood cells from injury. Because dragon fruit is high in vitamin C, it aids in the development of Immunity, the absorption of iron by the body, the production of collagen, which keeps our teeth healthy, and the promotion of healthy, beautiful skin. Vitamin C also helps to strengthen your immune system, preventing you from being ill.

6)Boosts lower iron levels

 

One of the few fresh fruits that contain iron is dragon fruit. 

Iron is necessary for the transfer of oxygen throughout the body. It is also necessary for the conversion of food into energy. Many people, however, do not receive enough iron. Iron insufficiency is believed to affect 30% of the world’s population, making it the most prevalent nutritional deficit on the planet. It’s critical to eat a range of iron-rich meals to battle low iron levels. Meats, seafood, beans, and other foods high in iron. Another good alternative is dragon fruit, which contains 8% of your required daily consumption in one serving. It also includes vitamin C, which aids in the absorption of iron by the body.

7)Low Cholesterol

In terms of cholesterol, saturated and trans fats, dragon fruit is exceptionally low. Consuming the fruit regularly might not only be refreshing, but it may also help you maintain a healthy heart in the long term. It could be a good idea to incorporate it into your diet if you’re trying to lose weight. Furthermore, the fruit’s seeds are high in omega 3 fatty acids, which are necessary for your health. The dragon fruit pulp has some of the most potent antioxidants. Betalains: These deep red pigments found in the pulp of red dragon fruit have been demonstrated to protect “bad” LDL cholesterol from getting oxidized or destroyed.

Along with the health benefits of Dragon fruit, it is a fantastic tropical fruit that you should try. It tastes great, adds a splash of color to your meal, and provides important nutrients, prebiotic fibers, and plant chemicals in a low-calorie serving. Dragon fruit is a wonderful alternative with numerous possible health advantages if you’re searching for a way to add some diversity to your fruit consumption.