Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit has been growing in popularity over the past several years and can now be found in most major supermarkets throughout much of the year. The fruit comes from several types of cactus, which can be found in Central America as well as places like Thailand and Vietnam. The fruit can have a variety of different appearances ranging from red to yellow on the outside with white or red flesh within. It always has its iconic ‘leaves’ that peel away from the fruit and the inside has lots of tiny seeds. These seeds are edible. The fruit itself is crunchy, which will take some getting used to for many people. The taste is slightly sweet but much milder than many other fruits people enjoy today. If you enjoy the taste of this fruit, you’ll love all the health benefits that dragon fruit will provide. Let’s start by looking at the breakdown of nutritional facts about dragon fruit.
Dragon Fruit Nutritional Facts
Consuming one piece of dragon fruit, which will be about 2 ounces, will provide you with the following nutrients:
- Calcium – 8 grams of calcium
- Protein – 2 grams of protein
- Fat – 1.5 grams of fat
- Fiber – 1 gram of fiber
- Calories – 100 total calories
- Carbs – 8 grams of carbs
- Potassium – 436 mg of potassium
Fighting Cancer Causing Free Radicals
Dragon fruit has high levels of antioxidants, which have been
shown to help eliminate free radicals from the body. The free radicals have been linked to many types of cancer, so anything you can do to get rid of them is going to be very helpful. Regarding the total amount of antioxidants, the dragon fruit rivals’ well-known options such as the acai berry so make sure to start enjoying it to keep your body cancer free.
Treating Acne
If you suffer from
acne, you can get rid of it by using dragon fruit! Rather than eating the fruit, simply take the flesh of it and mash it up in a small bowl. Using a cotton ball, dab the paste onto the skin where you have acne and allow it to sit for about 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes are up, just rinse the area with warm water. The high levels of vitamin C can help to clear your skin and fight off the acne far more effectively than many prescription drugs.
Treating Sunburned Skin
If you have stayed out in the sun for too long, you can find relief from the pain and discomfort by using dragon fruit. Mixing a mash of dragon fruit and the contents of a vitamin E capsule will make a puree. Apply the puree to a damp paper town and apply it to the sunburned area for about thirty minutes. When done, rinse the area with cool water. This has been
shown to provide relief and reduce redness by fighting the inflammation and allowing the heat to be pulled from the burned skin.
Fight Cardiovascular Issues
Getting back to health benefits from eating dragon fruit, the seeds have lots of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are linked to reducing triglycerides in your blood. This will help to cut your risk of
cardiovascular diseases as well as heart attacks and strokes. Dragon fruit is just one of many foods that can contribute to improving heart health thanks to the omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. Getting these essential nutrients from a variety of sources can help ensure you are getting enough to enjoy the best benefits.
Help you to Lose Weight
Dragon fruit is a low-calorie food that is also high in fiber. AThis is an excellent combination because it helps you to feel fuller for longer, so you further reduce your overall calorie intake. You’ll find that this can help you to
reduce weight in a healthy weight over time. Many people choose dragon fruit as a snack while dieting because it can satisfy a craving, without ruining their whole diet.
Dragon Fruit is Simple to Eat
We often hear about different fruits or vegetables that offer a variety of significant health benefits, which makes us want to add them to our diet. Once we get them home, they can be tough to consume. Whether it is because of thick skins or the small amount of edible content, it can make it not worth it to try. With dragon fruit, it couldn’t be easier. Simply cut the fruit in half and spoon out the flesh within. You can even quarter the fruit and bite the fruit right out, almost like apple slices. Having the ability to grab quickly and enjoy this fruit makes it so you can get all the excellent health benefits without any trouble at all. So, whether you’ve tried dragon fruit in the past or you’re considering it for the first time, adding this to your shopping list is a good idea.
