15 Benefits of Dragon Fruit For Us To Know

Only the tropics and subtropics are able to support the growth of dragon fruit. This fruit looks like a giant cactus and has a skin that resembles dragon scales, true to its name. This fruit offers many health benefits and fulfills daily nutritional needs because it is rich in nutrients.

Dragon fruit nutritional content

Many types of dragon fruit (pitaya) exist, and they are distinguished by variations in flesh and skin color. Red dragon fruit and white dragon fruit are the two most common forms of fruit found in Indonesia. Both have almost the same nutritional value even though they have different colors.

The following table summarizes the nutritional value of 100 grams of red dragon fruit based on Indonesian food composition data, namely:

• 85.7 grams of water (g).
• 71 cal of energy.
• 1.7 grams of protein.
• Fat: 3.1 grams.
• 9.1 grams of carbohydrates.
• 3.2 grams of fiber.
• Ash: 0.4 grams.
• 13 milligrams of calcium (mg).
• Salt: 10 mg
• 128 milligrams of potassium
• Potassium: 14 mg
• Metals: 0.4 mg
• 0.4 mg zinc (Zinc).
• Vitamin B1: 0.5 mg
• 0.3 mg vitamin B2
• 0.5 mg of niacin or vitamin B3.
• 1 mg vitamin C

In addition to the nutrients listed above, this fruit also has magnesium and vitamin E.

The Cleveland Clinic also points out that this fruit contains lycopene, the carotenoid component that gives the fruit its red color.

The antioxidant qualities of lycopene can fight free radicals, which are a major factor in many diseases.

This fruit also contains betalains and hydroxycinnamates, two additional antioxidants that are vital for the body besides lycopene.

The health benefits of dragon fruit are many

The following are the benefits and efficacy of dragon fruit, especially red dragon fruit, for your health based on its nutritional content, namely:

1. Reduces the danger of anemia

Everyone needs iron to maintain healthy blood, not only pregnant women.

This red dragon fruit nutrition can help the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen to all organs of the body. Iron deficiency can also cause iron deficiency anemia.

2. Maintain the health of pregnant women

This fruit contains calcium, B vitamins, iron, vitamin C, and other minerals that pregnant women need.

For example, this fruit's iron can help red blood cells carry oxygen to the fetus; it also contains calcium and vitamin C, which support strong teeth and bones; and B vitamins, which can help avoid birth defects.

In addition, fruit fiber can help pregnant women in overcoming constipation.

3. Prevents hair damage

This fruit juice can also help you take care of your hair if you dye your hair.

On your scalp, you can simply spray fruit juice or conditioner containing dragon fruit extract.

The hair follicles will continue to open in this way, allowing your hair to breathe and maintaining its health and smoothness.

4. Relieves the pain of burned skin

This fruit paste can be used to soothe burned skin in addition to treating acne.

To get the required quality, you usually have to combine this fruit paste with cucumber juice and honey.

This advantage is possible due to the concentration of vitamin B3, which can hydrate the skin and remove heat from the affected skin area.

5. Reduce acne

Another benefit of dragon fruit for the skin is to reduce acne in addition to delaying the appearance of aging.

Twice a day, apply dragon fruit paste on the redness on your face. the advantages obtained from the levels of vitamin C of this fruit.

6. Combats arthritis

People with arthritis have extreme joint discomfort, which makes it difficult for them to move.

As for consuming this fruit, you may be able to do it to combat this disease.

Because red dragon fruit contains antioxidants that also have anti-inflammatory properties, inflammation can be reduced.

7. Maintain your bone health

Red dragon fruit also contains various nutrients that the body needs for bone health. These minerals include calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

One cup of sliced ​​dragon fruit contains 80 mg of magnesium, or 22% of the Ministry of Health's recommended daily requirement, according to the Food Revolution Network (360 mg).

8. Benefits of dragon fruit for digestion

The fiber content of this fruit can also be beneficial for the health of your digestive system.

Consuming fiber-rich foods can help you regulate bowel movements so you can avoid constipation.

In addition, oligosaccharides, a form of prebiotic that is healthy for your digestive system, are present in dragon fruit, which is another benefit of this fruit for digestion.

9. Reduce your weight

This fruit may be your everyday healthy snack if you are trying to lose weight.

Because red dragon fruit is low in calories and high in fiber, it is safe for people who are trying to lose weight.

You'll feel full longer if you eat a low-calorie, high-fiber diet, which will cause you to eat less. Obesity can also be avoided.

10. Cure flu and cough

Because of the vitamin C content in dragon fruit, in addition to the benefits mentioned above, it can also help treat coughs and colds.

Although not a substitute for drugs, the benefits of dragon fruit can help relieve symptoms.

Since foods and fruits rich in vitamin C can boost the immune system and speed up recovery, here's why.

11. Boost your immunity

In addition, eating this fruit will strengthen your immune system.

Because vitamin C and other antioxidant chemicals are present in red and white dragon fruit, these advantages can be achieved.

Your body uses antioxidants to stop cell damage, which is at the root of many diseases.

12. Control blood sugar

The fiber content of this fruit can also help regulate blood sugar.

After eating foods with a high glycemic index, fiber can reduce the rise in sugar.

In addition, research conducted on mice and published in the 2016 issue of the journal Plos One revealed that pitaya can inhibit insulin resistance, one of the root causes of diabetes.

13. Better for your heart health

Your heart health can also be improved by eating this fruit.

Consumption of dragon fruit increases good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol levels. This is possible due to the level of lycopene, betalains, and fiber of the fruit.

Furthermore, the seeds of this fruit are full of healthy omega-3 and omega-9 fats that promote heart health and can help ward off heart disease.

14. Lowers the risk of cancer

This fruit contains antioxidants from lycopene and hydroxycinnamates which can also help prevent cancer.

According to many studies, eating foods rich in lycopene can lower your chances of developing lung, breast, and prostate cancer as well as other cancers.

15. Keeps skin supple and firm.

Due to the high concentration of vitamin C and other bioactive chemicals in dragon fruit, dragon fruit is a powerful source of antioxidants.

Antioxidants, on the other hand, are essential for keeping the skin elastic and firm which can help reduce signs of skin aging.

Various ways to consume dragon fruit

This fruit is also available in several processed forms. It can be turned into a juice, smoothie, salad, or a breakfast combination with oatmeal.

You can also add additional fruits to your oatmeal dish.

You must consume this fruit directly if you want to reap all the benefits and benefits.

When eaten, pitaya has a subtle, refreshing natural sweetness and just the right amount of sweetness.

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