Dragon Fruit Health Benefits
These days Dragon Fruit is very much in the news. Why not find out Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit and what the benefits of eating dragon fruit. How dragon fruit taste like.
What is Dragon Fruit?
It is a tropical fruit with a unique appearance, crunchy texture and sweet taste. Its appearance draws its name from a fire-breathing dragon. Its rich source of antioxidants plays a vital role in reducing your risks of cancer and diabetes. Make it a point to add this superfruit to your everyday diet.
How Does It Taste?
Dragon Fruit tastes like a mixture of kiwi and pear. The very first time you cut open this fruit, it may seem like an Oreo smoothie because of its white pulp and tiny black seeds. This tropical fruit has loads of health benefits and here is why you need to add this fruit to your everyday diet.
Dragon Fruit Nutrition Value
What makes this fruit a superfood? Its nutritional content is rich in Vitamin C, E, Magnesium, Iron etc. Here is a nutrition table of this weird yet super healthy fruit.
NOTE: The below-listed nutritional value is taken as per one-cup serving i.e 227 grams of dragon fruit.
| Nutrient | Value |
| Proteins | 3 grams |
| Fat | NIL |
| Calories | 136 |
| Iron | 8% |
| Fibre | 7 grams |
| Vitamin C | 9% |
| Vitamin E | 4% |
| Magnesium | 18% |
| Calcium | 107 |
10 Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit
1. Reduces Risk of Diabetes
2. Reduces Risks of Cancer
4. Good for Digestion
5. Good For Heart
6. Fights Ageing Skin
7. Good for Hair
8. Healthy Bones
9. Good For Eyes
10. Good During Pregnancy
Health Benefits Of Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit appears different compared to other fruits, but has many health benefits.
Dragon fruit benefits
Below is the health benefits of why you should eat dragon fruit.
Vitamin C
1 kg of dragon fruit provides you with 50% of your daily vitamin C requirement ! vitamin C is an important antioxidant that helps destroy free radicals in the body (molecules that may cause cancer. Cardiovascular issues and other health problems).
Calcium
One dragon fruit contains around 808g of calcium. Since calcium is essential in bone formation and repair and helps prevent osteoporosis in old age.
B Vitamins
Dragon fruit contains B1 vitamins for better carbohydrate metabolism, B2 vitamins for recovery and improvement of appetite, and b3 vitamins for reducing bad cholesterol and improving skin condition
Health Benefits Of Dragon Fruit
Phytoalbumins
Dragon fruits contain phytoalbumins, molecules that have antioxidant properties that help prevent to formation of cancer cells . Dragon fruits also speed the process of heavy metal detoxification from the body . Which is important considering the environmental toxins we encounter daily.
Healthy fats
Did you know that the seeds of dragon fruit are very high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega -6 fatty acids)? This help reduce triglycerides and lower the risk of cardiovascular disorder!
Dragon Fruit Recipes
Since this fruit is power-packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals, here are some healthy recipes that you can prepare at home.
1. Dragon Fruit Shake
Making yourself a dragon fruit shake every breakfast can be the right choice to welcome a healthy lifestyle.
Ingredients:
- Banana cut in small pieces
- 1 full dragon fruit
- 1 glass of milk (250ml)
- 4 ½ glass of water
- 3 spoonfuls of sugar (Optional)
- 2 Cashews (Optional)
How to Prepare?
- Step 1: Put the sliced banana and dragon fruit into the blender.
- Step 2: Pour a glass of milk (250ml) into a blender and add 3 spoons of sugar. Blend till it turns smooth. (If it appears thick, add water or more milk).
- Step 3: Pour it in a glass and add crushed cashew to give its final touches.
2. Dragon Fruit Salad
A fruit bowl help in reducing the risks of heart diseases, type 2 diabetes and also helps in managing weight. While dragon fruit bowl consists of a mixture of other healthy fruits such as strawberries, bananas, watermelons, pineapple and black grapes.
Ingredients:
- 2 dragon fruits neatly sliced
- ½ watermelon sliced into small pieces
- 1 banana cut in small pieces
- 1 cup of black grapes
How To Prepare?
- Step 1: Add sliced dragon fruit, bananas, watermelon and grapes to a bowl.
- Step 2: Sprinkle some salt and pepper mix (optional).
- Step 3: You could add a scoop of ice cream to give you a rich taste.
Dragon Fruits related Questions
This fruit having many health benefits, has been gaining popularity in India also because of its unique appearance and amazing health benefits. Here are some frequently asked questions about Dragon Fruits that will give you an insight into this fruit.
What are the benefits of dragon fruit?
It’s rich in antioxidants like flavonoids, phenolic acid, and betacyanin. …
It’s naturally fat-free and high in fiber. …
It may help lower your blood sugar. …
It contains prebiotics, which are foods that feed the healthy bacteria called probiotics in your gut. …
It can strengthen your immune system.
What does dragon fruit taste like?
its flavors are similar to other fruits. Its taste has been described as a slightly sweet cross between a kiwi and a pear.
Is dragon fruit good for sleep ?
dragon fruit contains 38.9mg per 100g of pulp Magnesium, a natural sedative that can greatly provide a good night sleep.
Can diabetics eat dragon fruit?
In traditional and alternative medicine treatments, dragon fruit has been used to treat hypertension, and the seeds have been demonstrated to help regulate blood glucose levels, making dragon fruit potentially useful specifically for type 2 diabetes prevention and management. Find out diet for diabetics patients.
How to buy the best dragon fruit?
Look for the fruit which is bright coloured and without a dry stem. A fruit having a dry stem can indicate that it is over-ripened.
Dragon fruit is a native of which country?
This fruit is a native of Central and South America but is currently cultivated in South East Asian.
How many types of dragons fruits are available in India?
There are three varieties available in India such as:
Yellow skin with white pulp and black seeds; and
Red skin with white pulp and black seeds.
Red skin with red pulp and black seeds.
Which variety of dragon fruit tastes the best?
If you are a sweet lover, dragon fruit with white pulp and tiny black seeds taste better. If you prefer less sweetness, then you need to try the one with the red pulp.
You can add this healthy fruit to your daily diet. As you now are aware of its multiple benefits that can benefit your overall health. However, the best time to have dragon fruit is during breakfast. One glass of dragon fruit smoothie is all you’ll ever want to Stay healthy, live happily.
