Also known as pitaya, dragon fruit is becoming a favorite fruit of many people these days. It has plenty of health benefits that you may not even know about. To date, the pitahaya tree is grown in Mexico, certain countries of Central and South America, Vietnam, and Israel.
One fruit contains about 60 calories and it’s great news for those who are on a diet. Dragon fruits are packed with vitamins C, B1, B2 and B3, and essential minerals including phosphorus, iron, and calcium. When used correctly, the fruit brings significant benefits to the body. Read on and find out some of the best health benefits of dragon fruit.
1. Powerful Antioxidants
One of the most significant benefits of dragon fruit is containing powerful antioxidants. Help your body get rid of all the free radicals along with cancer-producing properties by consuming foods that are rich in powerful antioxidants. Dragon fruit is an excellent source of antioxidants that help reduce the cell-damaging effects of those free radicals in the body.
Dragon fruit contains several types of powerful antioxidants. For example, vitamin C and betalains fight oxidative stress and may be able to suppress cancer cells. In addition, carotenoids reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.
2. Dragon Fruit Can Increase Iron Levels
Unfortunately, many people lack iron. Iron plays a critical role in transporting oxygen throughout the body and breaking down food into energy. Therefore being one of the few fresh fruits that contain iron is a valuable dragon fruit health benefit.
One serving of dragon fruit contains 8% of the recommended daily allowance. It also contains vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron.
3. Dragon Fruit is a Good Source of Magnesium
Another one of the most amazing benefits of dragon fruit is containing more magnesium than most fruits, at just one cup – 18% of the recommended daily allowance. Some studies show that higher magnesium intake may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
4. Helps Prevent Signs of Aging
Since this fruit is rich in powerful antioxidants, there are essential benefits of dragon fruit for skin. In addition, the phosphorus in this fruit is one of the main components of cell membranes in the composition of phospholipids. Therefore, adding this exotic fruit to the diet helps replenish the necessary components to maintain healthy and youthful skin, slowing the premature aging process.
I love making a face mask using dragon fruits and honey. I apply it to my skin and rinse it off after 15-20 minutes. This is a natural alternative to an expensive anti-aging mask. So eat this fun-looking fruit to keep your skin tight, young, and healthy.
5. Improves Cardiovascular Health
In this busy world full of stress, many people have serious problems with cardiovascular health. Fortunately, one of the most significant health benefits of dragon fruit is helping improve your cardiovascular health by reducing bad cholesterol levels and replenishing good levels. This fruit is rich in monounsaturated fats that help the heart stay in the best condition.
6. Helps Control and Fight Diabetes
Another amazing benefit of this fruit is a fantastic source of fiber, and it can help control and fight diabetes. Medical research confirms the benefits of pitahaya for diabetes. It helps stabilize blood glucose levels by suppressing glucose spikes. In addition, the product normalizes carbohydrate metabolism.
But make sure you consult your doctor before adding dragon fruits to your eating plan.
7. Improves Digestive System
Consuming dragon fruit can also help clean up the digestive system. As I mentioned above, dragon fruit has a very high fiber content that can improve poor digestion and relieve constipation. You will keep your body satisfied and fortified by consuming the seeds and flesh.
Regular consumption of dragon fruit prebiotics may reduce the risk of intestinal infections and diarrhea. This is because prebiotics promote the growth of good bacteria, which researchers believe can crowd out the bad ones. Therefore, if an adult or child has digestive problems, pitahaya will help cope with them without using medications.
8. Treats Colored Hair
Looking for an effective way to treat your colored hair? Pitahaya pulp is widely used to give curls splendor and silkiness due to the excellent benefits of dragon fruit for hair. The minerals and vitamins that make up the fruit improve the structure of the hair from root to tip.
Making a pitahaya mask is very easy. Put the juice of dragon fruits on your scalp and wash it off after 15-20 minutes. It is recommended to carry out this procedure once a week. This treatment will help protect your colored or chemically treated hair and will make it smooth and healthy. You can also use a conditioner that contains dragon fruit.
9. Soothes Sunburned Skin
Another one of the most amazing benefits of dragon fruit for skin is protecting against UV damage and relieving sunburned skin. As dragon fruit is high in vitamin B3, it releases heat from the affected area and moisturizes sunburned skin.
To soothe your sunburned skin, combine dragon fruit with honey and cucumber juice, apply it to the affected area and let it dry. Do this until the skin heals, using it 2 times a day.
10. Helps Treat Acne
Dragon fruit is an excellent acne treatment not only for teens but for adults as well. It contains vitamin C and a wonderful topical ointment. The antioxidants in vitamin C fight free radicals, one of the causes of skin damage. These substances prevent acne and, in turn, keep it healthy and radiant.
Cleanse your face first. Just turn a few slices of dragon fruit into a paste, apply it to the areas with acne, and rinse it off. Use twice every day for better results.
More: 10 Foods to Eat Every Day for Perfect Skin
11. Helps Relieve Arthritis
One of the amazing health benefits of dragon fruit is that it can help relieve arthritis, which affects the joints, causing severe pain, irritation, and, sometimes, even immobility.
Dragon fruit is known as anti-inflammatory fruit, so it’s advisable for people who suffer from arthritis to add dragon fruits to their healthy eating plan. So if you want to say goodbye to arthritis pain as soon as possible, include dragon fruit in your daily diet.
12. Good for Eyes
This fruit is a real find for the eyes. Dragon fruit is rich in Vitamin A in the form of carotene, which is needed by the retina of the eye for both low-light and color sight. In addition, the presence of beta-carotene and other essential plant pigments makes it a treasure trove for the eyes. These elements can protect the eyes from the harmful effects of free radicals and prevent eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Numerous eye problems, particularly age-related macular degeneration, can be caused by a deficiency in Vitamin A. Eating dragon fruit can improve your eyesight, so ensure you include it in your diet.
I’m personally tired of the everyday banana and apple, and I always want to try something tasty and absolutely new. Similar to kiwi fruit, dragon fruit is easy to eat and it’s a great snack to eat on the go.
Do you like dragon fruits? Do you know any other benefits of this fascinating fruit?
Below, we have compiled a list of the most interesting questions about the amazing benefits of dragon fruit:
