Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that contains many nutritional values. Studies have shown that dragon fruit has many beneficial effects on human health. The following article will help you better understand this wonderful fruit.
1. Dragon fruit and nutritional values
Dragon fruit contains a large amount of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, specifically:
– Vitamin C: Every 100g of dragon fruit will contain about 34.7mg of vitamin C, meeting about 58% of the daily intake needs of adults;
– Vitamin B: Dragon fruit contains vitamin B groups including B1, B2 and B3;
– Calcium: Every 100g of dragon fruit will contain about 0.5mg of iron. Iron has the effect of supporting cardiovascular health and enhancing blood circulation;
– Fiber: The human body needs fiber to support digestive function, preventing the risk of diabetes;
– Antioxidants: Dragon fruit is known to be a source of many antioxidants such as polyphenols, anthocyanins, carotenoids and vitamin C. The human body needs antioxidants to prevent the risk of cancer cells developing and cardiovascular diseases.
Dragon fruit contains many nutrients that are good for health.
2. Great health benefits of dragon fruit
2.1. Prevent aging:
Antioxidants work against free radicals in the body – one of the causes of cancer and help keep the skin youthful.
Containing antioxidants polyphenols, carotenoids and vitamin C, dragon fruit is truly a great source of natural antioxidants for the body. Using dragon fruit combined with honey to make a skin mask will help the skin fight against aging factors.
Dragon fruit contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body
2.2. Cancer prevention:
Carotene is found in dragon fruit, this substance has the effect of preventing cells that can cause cancer, even reducing cancer tumors. In addition, the red colorant lycopene for dragon fruit also has the effect of preventing prostate cancer.
2.3. Good for cardiovascular health:
Eating dragon fruit helps reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, on the other hand, dragon fruit also supports the production of good fats for the body. From there, your cardiovascular health will be better.
There have been studies on the effects of dragon fruit on cardiovascular health, the results show that adding dragon fruit to your eating habits will help prevent cardiovascular diseases and regulate blood pressure. This “super fruit” provides monounsaturated fats that are very good for cardiovascular health.
2.4. Blood tonic:
Iron is a substance necessary for the body to produce hemoglobin and this substance is abundant in dragon fruit. Hemoglobin or hemoglobin accounts for 33% of the weight of red blood cells. This complex protein containing iron ions has the function of transporting oxygen from the lungs to the organs, then transporting CO2 from the organs to the lungs. Dragon fruit is a food source rich in iron, so eating dragon fruit will help blood circulation in the body become better.
2.5. Preventing diabetes:
Patients with diabetes need to consume a lot of fiber. Because fiber helps stabilize blood sugar levels and dragon fruit contains a high fiber content. For dragon fruit to maximize its benefits, diabetic patients should consult their doctor about a dragon fruit diet that is suitable for their health condition.
2.6. Supporting digestion:
Fiber helps support better intestinal function. Eating a lot of dragon fruit will help with digestion, avoid constipation and prevent the risk of irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, this fruit can also balance healthy bacteria in the intestines.
3. Is it good to eat a lot of dragon fruit?
Dragon fruit is a benign fruit, suitable for many people. However, there is still a very small percentage of people who are allergic to dragon fruit. Some signs of eating dragon fruit and being allergic include swollen tongue, nausea and vomiting, and rashes on the skin.
When you eat too much dragon fruit, you may see pink urine. However, this condition is not a cause for concern because the urine will return to normal color when the dragon fruit has been completely eliminated from the body.
Eating too much dragon fruit can change the color of urine, however, this is not a cause for concern.
4. Delicious dishes from dragon fruit
Here are some suggestions on how to process dragon fruit into delicious and nutritious snacks that you can refer to:
– Attractive dragon fruit smoothie: Dragon fruit combined with fresh milk or yogurt, put in a blender and mix well, you will have a refreshing drink for the summer;
– Dragon fruit salad: Use more mango, apple, watermelon or any fruit you like to combine with dragon fruit to complete an eye-catching salad;
– Dragon fruit mixed with yogurt: Cut dragon fruit into small pieces, add yogurt, a little condensed milk and shaved ice, you have a nutritious snack but very low in calories.
5. Some notes when using dragon fruit
– The appropriate dragon fruit serving for diabetic patients is 2 servings/day and about 120gr of dragon fruit/serving;
– Do not eat dragon fruit when feeling full or having loose stools;
– Do not use dragon fruit during your menstrual cycle.
In addition, you should avoid choosing dragon fruit with dry leaves or bruises because this shows that the fruit is overripe. You should choose fresh and ripe dragon fruit to use immediately while also ensuring the best nutritional content.
If there is any dragon fruit left after use, you should store the remaining fruit in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.