Dragonfruit are football-shaped and have a leathery, leafy skin that is deep red or pink in color. It comes in three varieties, red flesh, white flesh and yellow flesh, all of which are embedded with hundreds of tiny black seeds and have a mild, sweet taste. To enjoy this fruit, it is best to it eat cold. After cutting the fruits in half, you just have to spoon the flesh out. You can eat the seeds. Simple, right!
For those that aren't familiar with this fabulous fruit, it originates from the cactus family, specifically the genus Hylocereus or sweet pitayas. Dragonfruits are common in Asia (particularly in Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines) and in Central and South America. They are among the many wonder fruits that are said to provide multiple health benefits.
Lets quickly highlight the great benefits of the Dragonfruit:
1. Calories
If you are looking for fruits that are filling and delicious, but will help keep your weight in check, dragonfruits are a perfect choice. A 100g serving of dragonfruit has only 60 calories: 18 calories from fat (all unsaturated), 8 calories from protein and 34 calories from carbohydrates. As an added bonus, Dragonfruits do not have complex carbohydrates, so they can be easily broken down by the body.2. Fats and Cholesterol
Dragonfruits do not contain cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat, so regular consumption will help manage your blood pressure and control your cholesterol levels. The seeds of dragonfruits are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) that reduce triglycerides and lower the risk of cardiovascular disorder.3. Fiber
Dragonfruits are high in fiber, so regular consumption can help avoid constipation, improve your digestive health and help you reduce weight.4. Vitamins and Minerals
Dragonfruits are rich in vitamin C, containing 9mg per serving that is equivalent to 10 percent of the daily value. Thus, eating dragonfruits helps strengthen your immune system and promotes faster healing of bruises and wounds. In fact, regular eating of dragonfruits will help ward off chronic respiratory disorders such as asthma and cough. Dragonfruits also contain B vitamins such as B1 for better carbohydrate metabolism, B2 for recovery and improvement of appetite, and B3 for reducing bad cholesterol while improving the skin condition.Dragonfruits are also packed with minerals such as calcium for stronger bones and teeth, phosphorus for tissue formation and iron for healthy blood. One dragonfruit contains approximately 8.8g of calcium, 36.1mg of phosphorus and 0.65mg of iron. Don't ask how I know this - sometimes I surprise myself lol.
5. Phytoalbumins / Antioxidants
Dragonfruits contain phytoalbumins, which have antioxidant properties that help prevent the formation of cancer cells. In addition, dragonfruits are also known to increase the excretion of heavy metal toxins from the body.6. Lycopene
Lycopene is also present in dragonfruits, and this is the pigment responsible for their red color. Lycopene is said to prevent prostate cancer.In addition to being great for us, Dragonfruits also help protect the environment by absorbing carbon dioxide, converting it into oxygen and releasing it to purify the air at night. True Story!
To end this post, here is a fun idea on how to consume a dragonfruit (credit soberjulie.com for pic).
