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High in Nutrition, Low on Calories - Know more about Dragon fruits | Benefits | Nutritional Values | Side effects | Tips to preserve

Dragon fruit is a fruit of a species of wild cactus that grows on a climbing cactus called hylocereus, which is found in the Tropics. The outer skin of the fruit appears to be in Hot Sizzling pink colour with spiked green leaves and in the inside it consists juicy and fleshy white stuff with black dotted seed which is delicious and very healthy to consume.

Dragon Fruit

Contents - 

• What is Dragon Fruit

• Other names of Dragon fruit

• Largest Producer and consumer of Dragon fruit

• Nutritional Value of Dragon fruit

• 11 Health Benefits of Consuming Dragon Fruit

• Disadvantages and Side effects of Dragon fruit

• Tips for - How to preserve dragon fruit for a long time?

This fruit has a skin that looks scaly and is purplish red or pink in color. Based on the color of the flesh, dragon fruit consists of 2 styles, namely White Dragon fruit and Red Dragon fruit.

Levels and Uses of Red Dragon Fruit Dragon fruit is a low-calorie fruit model. In a serving of dragon fruit (approximately 100 grams), it consists around 60 calories only. Also, Dragon fruit does not contain fat. Still, the nutritional percentage of this fruit is above the bars.

Other names of Dragon Fruit -

In Asia, it is called as "Strawberry pear, In Hindi, Dragon fruit is called as "Pitaya." and you will be amazed by the fact that, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has officially renamed dragon fruit as 'Kamalam'. 

Largest Producer and consumer of Dragon Fruit

The world’s largest producer and exporter of dragon fruit is "Vietnam", where Vietnamese call it "thanh long" which denotes to dragon's eyes.

However, China is the largest consumer of dragon fruit in the world today, although they don't come in the list of top producers of Dragon fruit.

Nutritional Value of Dragon fruit

Dragon fruit can be considered as a superfood as being very low in calories and filled with fibre, antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals. This fruit also contains calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, omega 3, magnesium, riboflavin, protein, Phosphorus, Fatty Acids, Iron, Omega 6, Carbohydrates, Thiamine, Sodium elements are present. Hence, No wonder, it is one of the expensive fruits in India.

A 150 gram of serving of Dragon fruit cubes provides;

  • 102 Calories
  • 2 grams protein
  • 22 grams of Carbohydrates
  • 5 grams of Fiber
  • 13 grams sugar
  • 100 IU of Vitamin A
  • 4 milligrams of Vitamin C
  • 31 milligrams of Calcium
  • 68 milligrams of Magnesium

11 Health Benefits of Dragon fruit

  • Keeps our Stomach Healthy

Dragon fruit contains an abundance of fiber that can smoothen digestion process and by regularly consuming high-fiber vegetables and fruits, including dragon fruit, you can also prevent chronic constipation.

  • Great Food Source of Vitamin C

The Amount of Vitamin C in dragon fruit is extremely high and it is one of the main reasons why dragon fruit is an extremely healthy fruit. Vitamin C, which helps strengthen your immune system and act as a good Antioxidant to protect the body from exposure to free radicals. The Amount of vitamin C in dragon fruit is also good for stimulating collagen formation, supporting iron absorption and maintaining immune strength.

  • Loaded with Antioxidants

Dragon fruit is a fruit model that is rich in antioxidants and natural coloring agents called anthocyanins, this substance is what gives the dragon fruit its bright red colour. Anthocyanins are known to protect cells and body tissues from damaging free radicals and even reduce the risk of cancer.

Sources of Antioxidants

Dragon Fruit is also rich in flavonoids, phenolic acid, and betacyanin. These cells protects us from free molecules/radicles which might cause premature aging.

  • Strengthens Bones

Dragon fruit contains a good amount of calcium and phosphorus, which help in strengthening bones and teeth, those who have any bone related problems, like weak bones, it is recommended to consume dragon fruit atleast once in a week.

  • Great appetite increaser

Some people have less appetite which leads them to slim, weak, drained out of energy and lifeless. Although, Not taking a balanced diet or consuming enough can increase the risk of various diseases. Dragon fruit proves to be very effective to fulfill the lack of appetite as it contains Vitamin B12, which is a great appetite increaser.

  • Delicious Snack for Night Binger and Diabetic Patients

For Night Binge - Being naturally fat free and high in fibre it makes a good snack. Dragon Fruit is also known to keep you full for longer period of time which controls your binge eating.

For Diabetic Patients - Dragon fruit is considered very beneficial for diabetic patients. Phenolic acid, fiber, antioxidants appears to be very helpful in controlling the amount of sugar. 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.

  • Healthy Hair

Nowadays, every 1 out of 5 person faces hair issues like hair fall, dandruff or weak hairs etc. And Dragon fruit is very beneficial for the head hairs.

  • Source of Prebiotics

It contains prebiotics, which are foods that feed the healthy bacteria in your gut. More Prebiotics in your system improves the balance between the good and the bad bacteria.  

  • Healthy Heart

Dragon fruit is very beneficial for heart patients. Anti-oxidants are found in dragon fruit, which prove to be very effective for the heart. Omega-9 omega-3 are also found in dragon fruit seeds that protects our heart from many deadly diseases.

  • Excellent Source of Iron

Iron is a type of mineral that is very vital for the human body because it helps in production of RBC ( Red blood cells ) and it is also required to move the oxygen through your body which gives you energy. Thus, consuming Dragon Fruit helps boosting the iron level and the Vitamin C helps absorbing the iron in your body and keeping you energetic throughout the day.

  • Sharpens Brain

Not only Physical health benefits, this miraculous fruit also appear to be extremely helpful in keeping our mental health steady and healthy. 

Also Read - 2 Brains in a Shell, 12 Amazing Benefits of Walnuts 

People who have epilepsy or any disease related to brain, Dragon fruit is very effective for them. 

Disadvantages and Side effects of Dragon fruit

After consuming red dragon fruit, the color of your urine and feces may appear reddish. However, you don't have to worry because it's normal and not dangerous. Reddish-colored urine and feces are caused by anthocyanin substances contained in red dragon fruit.

Disadvantages IF dragon fruit consumed in excess amount;

~ Consuming dragon fruit in excess can lead to vomiting.

~ Eating more dragon fruit can cause stomach related problems.

~ Consuming dragon fruits in excess can cause a feeling of nervousness.

Tips for - How to preserve dragon fruit for a long time?

( Wrap the dragon fruit first with a plastic bag before storing it in the refrigerator. )

To preserve this fruit for a long time, a cool place is considered to be the best. While storing dragon fruit, special attention has to be given, i.e., light and air, keeping it in a temperature of 7 to 10° C keeps the dragon fruit safe for a long time, while shopping for dragon fruit, you should always buy red colored dragon fruit, Because Red colored dragon fruit can be stored for upto 4 months.

Precaution ⚠️

Don't eat dragon fruit if the flesh has turned brown and has a mushy texture.


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