Once a niche tropical fruit, dragon fruit—also known as
pitaya—has evolved into a highly sought-after ingredient across the food and
beverage industry. Its vibrant pink hue and refreshing flavor may be what
catches the eye, but it’s the impressive nutritional profile and operational
advantages, especially in frozen form, that keep foodservice providers,
manufacturers, and beverage brands coming back for more.
Some of the impressive benefits of dragon fruit include
supporting weight loss and bone health, improving digestion, slowing down the
aging process, boosting our metabolic rate and fighting microbial and fungal
infections. Let’s have a closer look at the benefits of dragon fruit and the
reasons why everybody should eat more of this exotic fruit.
#1 Boosts Immune System
Dragon fruit is loaded with flavonoids as well as flu-fighting vitamin C,
which makes it the perfect combination for boosting our immune system. Fact is,
this exotic fruit contains more vitamin C than a carrot, which makes it one of
the top food sources of vitamin C. Additionally, dragon fruit is packed with
antioxidants that help to fight free radicals and it even comes with vitamins
B1, B2 and B3 as well as several minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, iron,
and niacin as well as a healthy does of protein and fiber to keep our immune
system running smoothly.
#2 Aids Digestion
Fiber aids digestion and the best way to get more fiber is through fruits
and veggies. Dragon fruit comes with 3 grams of fiber per 100g serving, which
can help to get rid of constipation and IBS issues and if you add it to your
breakfast oatmeal, it helps with morning bowel movement. Dragon fruit also
contains oligosaccharides, which work as a prebiotic and with that improve
digestion and gut health. And on top of that, dragon fruit has a high water
content, which can help to keep our digestive system work flawlessly.
#3 Slows Down Aging Process
One of the major reasons why our skin ages fast are free radicals. While
there are many commercial products that claim to stop the aging process of the
skin, these artificial creations can do more harm than good. Dragon fruit is a
natural way to slow down the aging process because of its high antioxidant
content, which stops the anti-aging effect of free radicals. You can either eat
the dragon fruit or apply it on your skin to get a more youthful looking skin
and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
#4 Heart Health
It is estimated that approximately 175 million people die each year from heart
problems, so it is essential that we do everything we can to keep our heart
strong and healthy. A recent study showed that dragon fruit has the ability to
lower bad cholesterol while at the same time increasing good cholesterol, which
makes dragon fruit an awesome choice as a cholesterol-lowering food.
Additionally, dragon fruit comes with monounsaturated fats that keep our heart
healthy. And let’s not forget, the little black seeds inside a dragon fruit
provide omega-3 as well as omega-6 fatty acids, which can drop triglyceride
levels.
#5 Supports Bones Health and Density
After the age of 25 our bones start to lose their strength and density.
This is particularly true for women. However, dragon fruit is a great source of
phosphorus and calcium, a winning combination when it comes to retaining bone
strength. Several studies show that people who consume dragon fruit on a
regular basis are able to reduce the effects of osteoporosis and keep their
bones healthy, strong and dense.
#6 Improves Metabolic Rate
If you are looking to increase your metabolic rate, the combination of
protein and fiber makes a good team. Dragon fruit will help our body to absorb
nutrients at a much higher capacity and according to several studies, this
exotic fruit can help to eliminate toxins more efficiently and clean our system
effectively. Keep in mind, if you can increase your metabolic rate, you will be
more successful in your weight loss efforts, which brings us to the next point.
#7 Aids Weight Loss
If you want to add some spark to your weight loss efforts, add dragon fruit
to your diet. Besides being delicious and nutritious, dragon fruit is a
low-calorie food with only 52 calories in every 100 grams, which makes it a
perfect replacement for your regular fruit. Change is the spice of life and in
order to stick to a weight loss program, we have to change the taste of our
meals on a regular basis so we won’t feel deprived of anything. Additionally,
dragon fruit is high in fiber and water, which makes us feel full longer and
prevents us from overeating. And apart from helping you to lose weight, dragon
fruit strengthens your body from within and tastes like it just fell out of a
fairy tale.
#8 Lowers Blood Sugar
Diabetes is on the rise and keeping blood sugar levels in check is
detrimental. Thankfully, there are several studies that show that dragon fruit
can actually help to regulate blood sugar levels in diabetes. The reason why is
that dragon fruit is rich in carotenoids, polyphenols, tocopherols, thiols, and
glucosinolates, all of which aid in lowering our blood sugar level.
Additionally, dragon fruit is high in fiber, which helps to prevent a blood
sugar high should you have a high glycemic meal. Another study showed that
dragon fruit has also a positive effect on oxidative stress, which is very
common in people who suffer from diabetes.
#9 Prevents Cancer
Cancer prevention may sound a little far-fetched, however, studies show
that dragon fruit has the ability to prevent the multiplication of dangerous
cancer cells because it is rich in the enzyme lycopene as well as vitamin C and
carotene, which is believed to have anti-carcinogenic properties. Together,
these nutrients help to prevent a tumor from forming.
#10 Contains Antibacterial Properties
Dragon fruit has been found to have antibacterial and anti fungal
properties. These properties help to increase the white blood cell count in our
body and with that our body is able to defend itself against toxins as well as
inhibit the entrance or growth of bacterial or fungal infections in our organs.
On top of that, dragon fruit stimulates cell regeneration and with that speeds
up healing, which means that bruises and wounds will heal at an accelerated
rate.
#11 Boosts Cognition
If you want to have a brain that works like Einstein’s, dragon fruit may be
your answer. Dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C and contains good amounts of B
vitamins, which helps to keep our cell membranes healthy. This helps to prevent
the occurrence of cognitive disorders and keeps your brain functioning at its
best. Additionally, dragon fruit contains essential vitamins and minerals that
promote healthy nerve function and with that gives a further boost to our
brain.
#12 Improves Respiration
If you suffer from a respiratory disorder such as asthma, adding more
dragon fruit to your diet can help you treat your lung problems. This is due to
the high vitamin C content of dragon fruit, which finally lets you take in the
smell of roses.
There are no known risks of dragon fruit, so you can enjoy
this delicious superfood in your smoothie, salad, salsa, oatmeal or simply eat
it on its own. It’s a great addition to your diet if you are looking for a
low-fat, low-calorie option that offers numerous nutrients and comes with a
multitude of health benefits.