In this special article, you will discover something special about an exotic and legendary fruit that turns out to be beneficial for you in so many ways – specifically for your overall health. This fruit is no other than “Dragon Fruit” – a tropical fruit that belongs to the cactus family, and can be seen throughout Southeast Asia.
Dragon fruit can also be referred to as pitaya, dragon scales, dragon crystal, dragon pearl fruit or green dragon. Its taste has been described as a slightly sweet cross between a kiwi and a pear. The fruit has the appearance of a hot pink or yellow bulb with spike-like green leaves shooting up like flames around it.
Dragon fruit is a low-calorie food that is rich in antioxidants, proteins, vitamins, fiber and minerals. It is also 
believed that it contains phytonutrients that prevent several diseases.
There are a lot of things to talk about pitaya, but in this post, we will discuss specifically the health benefits of dragon fruit, different varieties, and why eating this fruit can be so important to your body.
As a bonus, we will share to you a dragon fruit recipe that will transform your health. Kindly, watch until the end to make sure you won’t miss a thing about this special fruit.
Did you know that Dragon fruits come in a variety of shapes and colors?
- Pink skin with white flesh – This is the most well-known kind, but it’s the least sweet.
- Pink skin with red or pink flesh – Bigger and sweeter than its white-fleshed cousin.
- Pink skin with purple flesh – Popularly known in the name “American Beauty”
- Yellow skin with white flesh. – Hardest to find, but it’s also the sweetest.
The dragon fruit is so legendary that it comes with its own legend attached to it. To make dragon fruit more appealing, some Asian vendors made up a fictitious tale that Dragons created this fruit while breathing fire during battle and whoever eats the flesh of this fruit will possess dragon-like powers.
Here are 15 dragon fruit benefits and reasons you should eat more of this exotic fruit:
#1 Boosts Immune System and Energy
Pitaya is loaded with flavonoids as well as flu-fighting vitamin C, which makes it the perfect combination for boosting our immune system. Regular consumption can strengthen your immune system and boost levels of iron levels, a mineral essential for moving oxygen through the body and producing energy.
#2 Aids Digestion
Dragon Fruit contains special fiber that aids digestion, helps to get rid of constipation and IBS issues. If you add it to your breakfast meal it can help regulate morning bowel movement. It has high water content which can help to keep your digestive system work flawlessly.
#3 Slows Down Aging Process
You can consider dragon fruit as a natural way for you to slow down the aging process instead of commercial products that possibly can do more harm than good. The fruit contains high oxidant compounds which stop the anti-aging effect of free radicals. You can either eat the fruit or apply it on your skin to get a more young-looking skin and reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
#4 Heart Health
Many people are dying from heart problems so it is essential that we keep our heart strong and healthy even before we feel sick. A recent study shows how dragon fruit has the ability to lower bad cholesterol. The little black seeds inside the fruit provides omega-3 as well as omega-6 fatty acids which can drop triglyceride levels.
#5 Supports Bones Health and Density
Dragon fruit is also a great source of phosphorus and calcium which help retaining bone strength, as well as formation and maintenance of healthy teeth and gums in both children and adults. Eating pitaya will help reduce the effects of osteoporosis and keep your bones healthy, strong and dense.
#6 Improves Metabolic Rate
Dragon fruit helps our body to absorb nutrients and eliminate toxins more efficiently and clean our system effectively. In addition, to improve your overall metabolic rate (nutritional absorption), it is important to Eat a variety of foods in one meal, Pair vitamin C-rich foods with iron like pitaya, include healthy fats with each meal, and take a probiotic.
#7 Aids Weight Loss
Dragon fruit is a low calorie food with only 52 calories in every 100 grams. Since it contains high fiber and water, it makes us feel full longer and prevents you from overeating. Pitaya is very low in cholesterol, as well as saturated and trans fats. Eating it regularly can not only be refreshing to your body but also help maintaining a healthy cardiovascular and gastrointestinal functions in the long run. If you are on a weight loss diet, it may be a good idea to include dragon fruit in your diet.
#8 Lowers Blood Sugar
There are several studies that show that dragon fruit can help regulate blood sugar levels in diabetes. The fruit is rich in carotenoids, polyphenols, tocopherols, thiols, and glucosinolates, all of which are powerful compounds which help in lowering blood sugar levels. 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
Dragon fruit has the ability to prevent the multiplication of dangerous cancer cells due to the fact it is rich in the enzyme lycopene as well as vitamin C and carotene, which is believed to have anti-carcinogenic properties. Carotenes are photosynthetic plant pigments used as an antioxidant, to stimulate the immune system, in order to prevent or treat cancer, heart disease, and AIDS.
#10 Contains Antibacterial Properties
Among other Dragon fruit benefits, it has been found to have many antibacterial and anti fungal properties. These properties help to increase the white blood cell count in our body which in returns helps the body to be more capable of defending itself against toxins and pathogenic attacks. Regular consumption of pitaya can help inhibit the entrance or growth of bacterial or fungal infections in our organs.
Also, dragon fruit stimulates cell regeneration and with that speeds up healing, which means that bruises and wounds will heal at an accelerated rate in people eating dragon fruit.
#11 Boosts Cognition Functions
Dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C and contains good amounts of B vitamins, which helps to keep our cell membranes healthy and brain functioning at its best. These trace amounts of B vitamins are necessary for healthy cell membranes as well as nerve cell communication, and the prevention of the onset of cognitive disorders. Do you want to you want to have a brain like Einstein’s? Include dragon fruit in your diet.
#12 Helps Prevents Lung and Respiratory Problems
Dragon fruit can help treat lung problems. This is due to its high vitamin C content. Vitamin C helps boost your 
immunity, thereby keeping you from getting sick. Consuming fruits and vegetables High in Vitamin C has recently been shown to provide protection against COPD; however, only few national cohort studies have investigated these effects.
Another recent study has found that high dietary intakes of vitamin C and magnesium Helps Keep Lungs Healthy Over Time. these 2 compounds are associated with improved lung functions in adults as well as in children.
#13 Promotes Good Gut Bacteria
Healthy bacteria in your gut may help digestion and even reduce the risks for many serious medical conditions, including colon cancer. Some studies appeared to show that dragon fruit promoted the growth of healthy gut bacteria, that may have a positive effect on the gut microbiome, the good bacteria in our intestines. Some other good sources of healthy intestinal bacteria include tempeh, sauerkraut, miso, kimchi, and water kefir.
#14 Boost Low Iron Levels
Dragon fruit consumption can be a huge help for people who las low iron levels. Give that the fruit is rich in Vitamin C which helps your body to adsorb iron too. Chronic Iron deficiency may lead to:
- Pale skin
- Weakness
- Extreme fatigue
- Brittle nails
- Cold hands and feet
- Chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath.
- Headache, dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Inflammation or soreness of your tongue.
#15 Wards Off Anemia in Pregnant Women
A study published in the Belitung Nursing Journal looked at the possible effects of red dragon fruit on pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia, and found that dragon fruit increased the hemoglobin and erythrocyte level in the seventh day of the consumption.
These findings have led researchers to believe that red dragon fruit could be an alternative treatment for anemia during pregnancy. Even so, you should still speak with your doctor about ways to correctly manage anemia.
Dragon fruit Recipes
To fully enjoy all the dragon fruit benefits you need to actively incorporate in your diet. You can also try to experiment with dragon fruit in the kitchen. To make things easier for you, here is a simple recipe to help you get started. This smoothie can be your post workout fix or even a healthy breakfast option.
Dragon Fruit and Yoghurt Smoothie
Ingredients:
2 Fresh apricots
2 tbsp of raw and unfiltered honey
2 tbsp organic Hung yogurt
1/2 cup organic cow Milk or plant-based milk
3 tbsp Corn cereal
Procedure:
- Peel and cut the dragon fruit into chunks.
- Deseed and dice up the apricots and put them in a blender along with the dragon fruit.
- Put the honey, yogurt and milk and give it nice blend.
- Add some ice cubes to cool it quickly.
- Add the corn flakes.
- Blend it well till it’s luscious, smooth and silky.
- Serve in a glass garnished with cereal.
** You can also garnish the smoothie with some dragon fruit chunks too.
If you have additional information on dragon fruit health benefits, kindly, comment below.
