Dragon Fruit

A variety of native American cactus plants produce the fruit known as a dragon fruit, also known as a pitaya or pitahaya.The fruits of the genera Stenocereus and Selenicereus are referred to in the Cactaceae family as "dragon fruit" and "pitaya," respectively.

Since 1963, these fruits have been referred to as "dragon fruit" in English, a moniker that is said to have originated from the surface of the fruit's leather-like skin and noticeable scaly spikes. Pitahaya and pitaya are Mexican names, and pitaya roja is a name that originated in Central America and northern South America. Pitahaya may also be the name of a tall cacti species with fruit that blooms. The fruit is also sometimes referred to as a strawberry pear.

Dragon Fruit Plant

Facts

In 2013, the USFDA designated dragon fruit as a super fruit.

Different regions of the world refer to dragon fruit as pitaya, pitahaya, or strawberry pears.

There are up to 140 different species.

'Hylocereus undatus,' 'Hylocereus megalanthus,' & 'Hylocereus polyrhizus' are the three primary varieties of dragon fruit.

Types of Dragon Fruit

Purple Dragon Fruit

Red Dragon Fruit

White Dragon Fruit

Yellow Dragon Fruit

There are four varieties of this fruit:

Pink dragon fruit
Red/Purple dragon fruit
Yellow dragon fruit
White dragon fruit

All dragon fruits have edible, small, black seeds that resemble same like kiwi fruit seeds in appearance.

Dragon fruit has a texture like to that of a kiwi or a watermelon and a pleasantly sweet flavour with hints of earthiness.

The hybrid cultivars with darker pink flesh are claimed to have higher brix and more flavour.

The fruit's black, crunchy seeds are one reason why its feel is occasionally compared to that of the kiwifruit. Linoleic acid and linolenic acid are found in the seed oil. Juices and alcoholic beverages like the "Dragon's Blood Punch" and the "Dragotini" employ dragon fruit to flavour and colour them. You can consume the blooms or soak them in tea.

The betacyanins, a class of pigments that includes betanin, the compound that gives beets, Swiss chard, and amaranth their red colour, are responsible for the red and purple hues of several Selenicereus fruits.

Dragon Fruit-Nutrition

The USDA FoodData Central database reports one limited product label entry from a manufacturer of a branded product, showing that a 100-gram reference serving of dried pitaya provides 264 kilocalories of food energy, 82% carbohydrates, 4% protein, and 11% of the Daily Value for each of vitamin C and calcium. This is because the nutrient content of raw pitaya has not been thoroughly analysed or published as of 2019.

Dragon Fruit Health Benefits

Numerous potential health advantages of dragon fruit include:

Prevent Cancer

The dragon fruit contains aplenty of antioxidants, including betacyanin, phenolic acid, and flavonoids. These organic substances protect your cells from the damage that free radicals—chemicals that can lead to diseases like cancer and premature aging—cause.

Reduce your weight

It has a lot of fibre and is naturally fat-free. It is a one of the best snack for the weight management since it can keep you full between meals for a longer period of time. A high-fiber diet helps with weight management and lowers blood cholesterol as well.

Blood Sugar Control

It might aid in lowering blood sugar. According to research dragon fruit may be partially attributed to the fact that it replaces destroyed pancreatic cells that produce the hormone insulin, which aids in the breakdown of sugar. The quantity of dragon fruit you would need to eat to experience these benefits is unknown.

Healthy guts

Prebiotics are nutrients that provide your probiotics—healthy bacteria—food to eat. They are present in this product. By consuming more prebiotics, you can increase the balance of good to bad bacteria in your intestines. Specifically, dragon fruit encourages the growth of the probiotic bacteria lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. These and other beneficial bacteria in your stomach can eliminate pathogenic viruses and microorganisms. They also aid in food digestion.

Boost Immunity

It might improve your immune system. Dragon fruit is a rich source of vitamin C and other antioxidants that are good for your immune system. You are protected by vitamin C from certain viruses and germs. It offers defence against various cold and cough strains.

Prevent Anemia

Your iron levels may rise as a result. Iron is necessary constitute for the body to carry oxygen and provide energy, and dragon fruit contains iron. And the vitamin C in dragon fruit aids in the uptake and utilisation of iron by the body.

Dragon Fruit Health Risks

Despite some allergy reactions being noted in studies, dragon fruit is usually considered safe to eat. Symptoms include tongue swelling, vomiting, and hives. This sort of response appears to be quite rare.

If you consume enough scarlet dragon fruit, it might cause your urine to become pink or crimson. The severity of this condition is not as severe as it seems. The same thing could happen if you eat a lot of beets. Once the fruit is gone from your system, your urine should return to its natural colour.