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Dragon fruit, also called pitaya, pitahaya, or strawberry pear, is an oval-shaped tropical fruit. It grows on vining cactus plants of the Hylocereus or Selenicereus genus.1...CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>
Dragon fruit grows to the size of a baseball. It is covered with pointy green shoots resembling a dragon’s spikes. While you can’t consume the skin of a dragon fruit, its juicy flesh is tasty. Dragon fruit provides many nutrients with few calories. It can be eaten raw or cooked in many ways.
1. Boosts Your Immune System
Dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and antioxidants. It also contains vitamin B and minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Together, these nutrients support the development of a strong immune system by regenerating and increasing your white blood cells, which defend the body against bacteria, viruses, and free radicals (chemicals that can potentially damage cells).2
2. Improves Heart Health
Dragon fruit seeds contain antioxidants that provide your body with omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids that may help improve cardiovascular health and reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack. Its benefits may also lower total cholesterol, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol).3
3. Helps Digestion
Dragon fruit is rich in dietary fiber and is made up of oligosaccharides. While not digested in your stomach, they act as prebiotics, promoting the growth of healthy bacteria like bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, which assist in the digestive process.3
4. Lowers Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetes
The fiber in dragon fruit helps people with type 2 diabetes feel fuller longer, lose weight, and normalize blood sugar levels. Research indicates that some people with type 2 diabetes who are not dependent on insulin may be able to decrease blood sugar levels by at least 19% when dragon fruit is consumed daily.4
5. Aids in Reducing Cancerous Cells
Red dragon contains lycopene, a strong antioxidant that can help reduce cancerous cells in the body. Evidence shows that extract from red dragon fruit may help prevent and treat breast cancer.5
6. Reduces Inflammation
Dragon fruit’s anti-inflammatory properties may help with pain and swelling, reducing chronic pain, inflammation, and tenderness from rheumatoid arthritis.6
7. Supports Skin Health
The vitamin C and antioxidants in dragon fruit may help treat acne and slow the progression of premature skin aging. These nutrients may also help repair cell damage and help you achieve a more youthful appearance…CONTINUE READING>>
