Dragonfruit

Dragon fruit is a fruit of the cactus plant that grows in the tropical and subtropical areas which includes asia and latin america. It has a yellow or red peel with green scales on it, which are spiny, inside a white, magenta or pink flesh and it has many tiny black seeds a the overall shapes resembles a dragon and hence the name dragon fruit. Dragon fruit provides a number of essential nutrients and has some potential health benefits as well. The other name of dragon fruit is pitaya.

In tropical and subtropical regions in south america and asia, the dragon fruit flourishes and grows in abundance. Appropriately named, the dragon fruitas outer skin is cactus-like, resembling that of the scales of a mythical dragon. Considered a cactus plant, its vibrant green and reddish-pink hues indicate that the fruit is full of nutrients, while the creamy white flesh spotted with black seeds gives way to many rich and natural properties.

Also known as pitaya, these fun-looking fruits contain around 60 calories each and are rich in vitamin c, b1, b2 and b3, and minerals such as iron, calcium, and phosphorus. And thatas not all. This is definitely one of the best asuper fruitsa out there.

Dragon fruit is an exotic and delicious fruit that grows on various cactus species, and is widely promoted throughout the world as having a number of health benefits, including its ability to lower cholesterol, boost the immune system, prevent cancer and heart disease, aid weight loss, improve digestion, boost energy, defend against bacteria and fungi, and help in the overall functioning of the bodyas systems.

Dragon fruit is often considered a tropical asuperfooda because of its wealth of benefits, and its somewhat aunder the radara quality that makes it less well known than many mainstream fruits and health foods. It is also known as apitayaa if it comes from the very closely related stenocereus genus, but the actual dragon fruit is the fruit of the cactus genus hylocereus. It has its origins in mexico, south america, and central america, but new world settlers probably brought it to southeast asian nations like cambodia, thailand, taiwan, vietnam, and the philippines, where it remains an important part of the dietary fruit intake.

Dragon fruit is low in cholesterol content and has no unhealthy cholesterol fats that harm the human body.

Can reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol

Aids in fighting against cough and asthma.

Has high amounts of vitamin c*dragon fruit consists of a small amount of healthy monounsaturated fats because the fruit contains many seeds in its edible part. The seeds and the nuts in the dragon fruit contain fats and proteins.

Dragon fruit is also best known for its cleansing properties of the digestive system. The fibers in the fruit help to get better bowel movements. It is also a good solution for constipation.

Dragon fruit is a natural source of antioxidants. Antioxidants help out a person from any free radicals that cause cancer as well as unwanted health damages.

Enhances the immune system

Helps neutralize toxic substances such as heavy metals

Contains vitamin b2 which acts like a multivitamin and helps to improve and recover the loss of appetite.

Contains vitamin b1 which increases energy production and also metabolizes carbohydrates

Decreases weight, thereby creates a well-balanced body.

Is helpful in reducing blood sugar levels in people suffering from type 2 diabetes

It is best consumed chilled and can be used in juices, fruit salads and various other desserts like mooncake. Though, in order to receive its maximum value, it is best consumed in its true form.

Dragon fruit helps to decrease the irritation of joints, so it is called as an anti inflammatory fruit. The symptoms of arthritis are alleviated once the swelling of the joints are reduced.

The greatest of dragon fruit advantages if for cardiovascular health. It decreases bad cholesterol levels from the body and then increases good cholesterol levels. This fruit is a good source of mono saturated fats which helps to keep our heart in good condition.

Dragon fruit contains a high amount of fiber that helps a person stabilize his blood sugar levels. It also avoids sugar spikes that are often observed after eating high glycemic index foods. Therefore, it is good for a diabetic patient though you should consult your doctor before consumption.

This fruit is a rich source of antioxidants. It helps us to fight free radicals in our body. It also helps to slow down the aging process after the free radicals are reduced. Due to this, the skin looks young, flexible and tight.

Helps heal bruises and cuts quickly

Dragon fruit is low in calories. It is also a rich source of fiber. Therefore, it helps us to feel full after a meal without adding extra pounds. it cleans and improves our metabolic system thereby helping us to maintain a healthy weight.

Dragonfruits contain high amounts of vitamin c which strengthens the immunity system against and helps fight against respiratory disorders like asthma.

Dragon fruit contains high amounts of vitamin c, vitamin b1, b2, and b3. It is also rich in manyimportant minerals as iron, calcium, phosphorus. Apart from this, it contains a good proportion of protein, fiber and niacin and last but not the least, 80 percent water. Hence you can easily call it a asuper fruita that helps in enhancing nutrition and corrects body ailments. Not only that, dragon fruit can be a vital ingredient in your daily beauty regime even. Dragon fruit seeds contain unsaturated fat and fights bad cholesterol.

To prevent premature aging, you may apply a dragon fruit facial mask once in a week. To make this mask, take half of dragon fruit and make a smooth paste out of it. Mix one tablespoon of yogurt to it and apply entire face and neck. Wait for 20 minutes and rinse it off with lukewarm water. Owing to its antioxidant properties this facial mask effectively slows down aging progression of cells.

Improves the appearance of your skin by smoothing and moisturizing it

Improves eyesight and decreases hypertension

Is a good source of phosphorus and calcium, it reinforces bones, helps in tissue formation and forms healthy teeth.

As dragon fruit is rich in vitamin c, it is really useful for treating acne. Take a quarter of dragon fruit. Make a smooth paste out of it. Apply it on affected area. Rinse off with lukewarm water once it gets dry. Apply this regularly, if possible twice a day for best result.

Take one tablespoon each of dragon fruit juice and cucumber juice. Add one tablespoon honey with it. Mix these well in a bowl and apply this pack on sunburned skin. Let this face pack stay at least for half an hour, so that it can cool your skin. Rinse it off with lukewarm water and continue with ice cold water. As dragon fruit is rich in vitamin b3, it soothes and moisturizes dry sunburned skin. So next time you suffer from sunburn, donat forget to apply this pack. The dragon fruit juice also works as a wonderful sun shield. Before going out, soak some cotton ball into some dragon fruit juice. Apply it on face. Allow the skin to absorb the juice and wash your face with cold water. This will protect you from the harmful effects of uv rays.

Take a dragon fruit. Scoop out its flesh. Make a smooth paste of it. Apply it on face, neck, and on the rest of your body. Let it absorb in your body. Take a shower. Do it twice a week.

Dragon fruit: hair benefits.

There are both sweet and sour pitayas, depending on the species, and the shape and size varies as well. In terms of the most common form of dragon fruit, it is slightly smaller than a cantaloupe, red, and covered in broad spiky growths. When you open it, the texture is like a kiwi, and the meat is filled with small black seeds which must be chewed if they are to be digested. The meat of the fruit can be strained into wine or other beverages, and the leaves of dragon fruit can be steeped for a very healthy form of tea. The rough outer skin has little nutritional value and is rarely eaten.

To clean up your digestive system, eat a dragon fruit. They have a high fiber content, which can assist with poor digestion and constipation. Eating the flesh and seeds, which contain good protein, will keep your body fortified and satisfied.

To rid the body of free radicals and cancer-producing properties, you can eat foods that contain antioxidants. Believe it or not, dragon fruit is giving acai berries a run for their money.

The high amount of fiber in dragon fruit can ultimately help regulate diabetes, as it can stabilize blood sugar levels by suppressing sugar spikes. However, with any dietary changes or modifications, always consult your doctor to make sure this is a good food for you.

Eating a dragon fruit with its rich antioxidants can keep the skin tight and young. You can even make a face mask using the fruit combined with honey as a natural alternative to anti-aging masks.

Dragon fruit juice is an excellent agent for treating colored hair. By simply putting the juice or a conditioner containing dragon fruit on your scalp, you can protect your chemically treated or colored hair. This will keep the hair follicles open, allowing your hair to breathe and remain healthy and smooth.

Arthritis directly affects the joints and causes severe irritation and immobility. Adding dragon fruit to your diet can help you fight these ailments. Dragon fruitas benefits for people suffering from arthritis are so great that itas commonly referred to as the aanti-inflammatory fruit.a

This treatment is not just for teenagers. Rich in vitamin c, this fruit becomes a great topical ointment. Turn a slice of dragon fruit into a paste and apply it to your reddened areas on your face or skin, then rinse with water. For best results, use twice daily.

One of the most beneficial aspects of dragon fruit is its ability to give you a serious boost to your bodyas defense system. The high levels of vitamin-c that can be found in dragon fruit are one of the strongest assets to your bodyas immune system, and they stimulate the activity of other antioxidants in the body as well. They actively seek out and eliminate free radicals, the dangerous byproducts of cell metabolism, which have been directly linked to potentially fatal conditions like cancer and heart disease. The more vitamin-c, the better!

Dragon fruit is quite the exotic fruit with a number of unique properties, one being that they contain no cholesterol and almost no unhealthy, cholesterol-producing fats. By reducing the amount of cholesterol in the blood, the chances of developing plaque in the arteries and veins is small, thereby reducing the likelihood that youall suffer from atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. By using dragon fruit as a source of many other nutrients, you are not negatively impacting your body in any way, hence the fruitas reputation as a asuperfooda. Some fat is beneficial, and the seeds of dragon fruit do contain this positive type of fat, which can lead to hdl cholesterol (agooda cholesterol). Hdl cholesterol actively decreases the amount of ldl cholesterol by inhibiting the receptors that it binds to on the walls of arteries.

Dragon fruit is also packed with other beneficial vitamins besides vitamin-c, including the b vitamin group. The b1, b2, and b3 vitamin content of dragon fruit benefit everything from blood pressure, skin health, and cholesterol levels to thyroid function and carbohydrate metabolism. Even a single cup of dragon fruit contains a significant amount of beneficial vitamins.

Aside from the immune system bonus, dragon fruits can also help to keep you regular! dragon fruits have a significant fiber content, which means that they can help your body bulk up its bowel movements, facilitating smooth passage through the digestive tract, stimulating peristaltic motion, and inducing a release of digestive juices. By regulating bowel function with dietary fiber, you reduce your chances of conditions like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and even more serious diseases like colorectal cancer.

Along with the antioxidant protections of vitamin-c to boost the immune system, dragon fruits contain other sources of natural antioxidants. Carotene is another component of dragon fruits, and carotene has been linked to a number of anti-carcinogenic qualities, as well as reducing the size of tumors. Basically, dragon fruits boost your immune system from every direction, so if you feel like youare frequently getting sick or feeling under the weather, or even if you are at a high risk of developing cancer, dragon fruit might be the answer for you.

A final boost to the immune system from dragon fruit is its antifungal and antibacterial quality. This can help increase the white blood cell count in the body which defends against toxins, and it also inhibits the entrance or growth of fungal or bacterial infections in the organ systems. You will also find that it stimulates cell regeneration and speeds up healing, so wounds and bruises will heal at an increased rate.