Top 10 Health Benefits of Eating Dragon Fruit
Laden with vitamin C and antioxidants, dragon fruit is a unique and healthy fruit that is native to countries like Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Mexico. It was introduced in India in the late 90s and is grown in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Learn more about this exotic superfood here.
Dragon Fruit Nutritional Value Chart
1 cup (220 g) of dragon fruit contains the following list of nutrients:
| Nutrient | Value |
| Calories | 140 |
| Calcium | 107 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Fibre | 7 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Magnesium | 17% of the Recommended Dietary Index (RDI) |
| Vitamin C | 10% of the RDI |
| Iron | 8% of the RDI |
| Vitamin E | 4% of the RDI |
| Fat | 0 g |
Benefits of Eating Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit will not let you down with its countless health benefits, whether you eat it raw or blend it into a smoothie.
So, is dragon fruit good for health? Let us unfold the best benefits of this tropical fruit for health:
1. Promotes Heart Health:
Red dragon fruit contains betalains, a compound that can decrease the bad cholesterol levels in the body. It also contains a good amount of Omega 3 and 9 fatty acids. Thus, eating one cup of dragon fruit is good to keep your heart healthy.
2. Keeps Blood Sugar Levels Under Control:
Due to its high fiber content, dragon fruit or Kamalam is beneficial for a diabetic person. Eating it in a moderate amount daily helps to keep the blood sugar levels under control.
3. Dragon Fruit Benefits for Skin:
Want to look younger forever? Then, add a cup of dragon fruit to your daily diet. The rich presence of antioxidants in this sweet and tangy fruit helps to fight free radicals and prevents skin aging, thereby making it brighter and healthier.
4. Boosts Up Immunity:
Rich in Vitamin C, dragon fruit can shoot up your immunity. Make sure to add it to your daily diet to promote your immunity to fight against several viral and bacterial infections.
5. Helps Reducing Weight:
The presence of betacyanins in dragon fruit helps to deal with obesity issues and aids in weight loss. One serving of this delicious fruit can help you stay satiated for a longer period and can help reduce your calorie intake.
6. Dragon Fruit Benefits for Hair:
It won’t be wrong calling dragon fruit a superfood for your hair. It is high in Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, and C. All these vitamins help in adding strength and hydration to the hair. Consuming it daily will help you get thick, black, lustrous, and strong hair.
7. Enhance the Digestive Power:
Those suffering from constipation and other digestive issues can rely on the power of this superfood. It carries a carbohydrate called Oligosaccharides, which enhances the growth of gut-friendly bacteria.
8. Good for Pregnant Women:
Rich in Vitamin B, folate, iron, and other nutrients, dragon fruit is considered a healthy fruit for pregnant women. Eating it regularly during pregnancy can help in improving fetal development.
9. Dragon Fruit is Good for Eyes:
Adding this delicious fruit to your platter will improve your vision. It comes loaded with beta-carotene, a compound that decreases the chances of eye cataracts and macular degeneration disorder.
10. Miraculous Fruit for Bone Health:
With a good amount of magnesium present in it, dragon fruit is a blessing for your bones. Those who eat it regularly will make their bones stronger and healthier for sure.
Dragon Fruit Side Effects
Having read about the dragon fruit advantages for health, it is time you also learn about some common side effects of eating this sumptuous fruit. So, have a look:
1. Stomach Upset:
If eaten in large quantities, this otherwise nutritious fruit may upset your stomach and cause diarrhea.
2. Allergic Reactions:
In rare cases, some people might experience allergic reactions after eating a serving of dragon fruit.
3. Medical Complication:
Although a rare side effect, sometimes people taking some medicines may experience some interference with their medications after consuming dragon fruit.
FAQs: Health Benefits of Eating Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is safe to consume even by a pregnant woman. It will yield oodles of health benefits to the mother-to-be and the unborn child. Dragon fruit, if eaten in a moderate amount during pregnancy will help in the fetus's brain development.
Dragon fruit has a tender sweetness and is a delight to eat by scooping it out with a spoon. It is somewhat citrus and juicy like a kiwi or a pear.
In India, dragon fruit is famous as Kamalam meaning lotus flower. This fruit has other various names like Pithaya in Mexico, Pithajah in Thailand, and Pitaya Roja in Northern and Central America.
Yes, you can consume one dragon fruit per day. Eating this exotic fruit will aid in weight loss because it is low in calories and full of Vitamin C and antioxidants.
Unlike other fruits, dragon fruit is expensive in India. It grows in scarcity due to a specific climate requirement. One piece of this delicious fruit weighing 220g – 300g in India costs approx. Rs. 100 – 150.
Red fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants. So, eating red dragon fruit is better than eating the white variant. Red dragon fruit is full of antioxidants that are good for your skin, blood, eyes, and overall health.
Author Bio
Paybima Team
Paybima is an Indian insurance aggregator on a mission to make insurance simple for people. Paybima is the Digital arm of the already established and trusted Mahindra Insurance Brokers Ltd., a reputed name in the insurance broking industry with 17 years of experience. Paybima promises you the easy-to-access online platform to buy insurance policies, and also extend their unrelented assistance with all your policy related queries and services.
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