Dragon fruit (pitaya) seeds are small and round, about the size of a pea. They are greenish-brown in color and have a tough outer shell. There are health benefits of dragon fruit seeds you should know. We shall be discussing them in this post.
The dragon fruit is native to the equatorial region of South America and can be found growing in parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Venezuela, but they’re now grown in many tropical countries around the world. The plant produces small red fruit that ripens in the late summer through fall months.
The dragon fruit has been cultivated for thousands of years by indigenous groups who lived near its natural habitat. Today, it is cultivated commercially in areas around the world where it can be found growing wild as well as in greenhouse operations for commercial production. Dragon fruits are members of the genus Hylocereus, which includes over 200 other species.
Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that has a unique flavour and texture. It’s also known as pitaya, snake fruit and dragon’s eye.
Dragon fruit seeds can be roasted as snack or used to make various dishes like salad, soup or stuffing.
Nutritional Benefits of Dragon Fruit
In one 6-ounce serving of dragon fruit cubes, you’ll get:
- Calories: 102
- Protein: 2 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Carbohydrates: 22 grams
- Sugars: 13 grams
It also contain the following vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin A: 100 international units (IU)
- Vitamin C: 4 milligrams
- Magnesium: 68 milligrams
- Calcium: 31 milligrams
- Iron: 0.1 milligram
Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit Seeds
Dragon fruits are a healthy snack that you can enjoy any time of the day. They are loaded with nutrients and vitamins that will keep you energized and healthy. Here are some health benefits of dragon fruit seeds that you should know:
Contain Antioxidants
Dragon fruit seeds are rich in antioxidants like flavonoids, betacyanin and phenolic acid, which can help reduce inflammation and prevent chronic disease like heart disease or diabetes. Those with diabetes may benefit from eating them because they have a low glycemic index (GI). This means that your blood sugar levels will stay consistent after eating them – perfect for diabetics who need to regulate their blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Good Source of Vitamins
Dragon fruit seeds contain a variety of nutrients and vitamins. They are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and niacin. Vitamin A is needed for the formation of healthy skin, vision and bones. Vitamin C helps in building new cells, provides immunity to the body and supports good digestion. Niacin is needed for converting carbohydrates into energy.
Also read Natural Ways That You Can Keep Your Skin Healthy And Glowing.
Heart Health
Research shows that dragon fruit contains antioxidants that can protect you from heart diseases, stroke and more. It is especially good for people who have high cholesterol levels or high blood pressure because it lowers these risks significantly. The antioxidants found in dragon fruit also help lower bad cholesterol levels by improving lipid profile (LDL/HDL ratio).
Cancer Prevention
Research shows that consuming dragon fruits regularly may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer such as breast cancer and prostate cancer. This is because these fruits contain vitamin C, which plays an important role in preventing free radicals from damaging DNA strands responsible for cell growth.
It contains high amount of antioxidants called carotenoids like beta-carotene or lycopene which aslso protects against cancer.
Weight Loss
The seeds contain no calories, but they do have some protein content. Dragon fruit seeds contain about 3 grams of protein per 100 g of fruit (1 oz). This amount is similar to that found in chicken breast meat or spinach.
They contain fiber which aid in weight loss by keeping you feeling full for longer periods of time as well as improving digestion through their high dietary fiber content.
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Good Source of Dietary Fibers
Dragon fruit is a rich source of dietary fiber, with more than 10% of its weight composed by soluble carbohydrate.
The high fiber content also helps to prevent constipation and heartburn.
Helps in Lowering Blood Sugar
Dragon fruit is known to be beneficial in lowering blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes patients. Dragon fruit is a fruit that has been used for centuries in the South Pacific to help people with diabetes. It is high in fiber, low in calories and contains large amounts of potassium which can help to lower blood pressure.
Dragon fruit also helps to regulate blood sugar levels by slowing down the digestion process. This means that it will take longer for your body to absorb the sugars from food and make them available for use as energy.
Helps to Boost Immune System
Dragon fruit can help to boost your immune system. The high vitamin C content helps to strengthen the immune system and increase immunity against common diseases like colds and flu.
Helps to Prevent Premature Aging
Dragon fruit is an excellent source of antioxidants that help to protect you from free radical damage caused by pollution and other factors that can cause premature aging.
Reduces Inflammation
Another reason why people choose to eat dragon fruit is because it helps reduce inflammation. This may be due to the plant’s anti-inflammatory properties or perhaps it’s due to its high levels of antioxidants like vitamin C (which also acts as an anti-oxidant).
Health Risk of Dragon Fruit Seeds
Despite isolated allergic responses being observed in research, dragon fruit is typically safe to consume. Tongue swelling, hives, and vomiting are among the symptoms. This kind of reaction seems to be extremely uncommon.
Red dragon fruit might make your urination pink or red if you eat enough of these. This symptom appears to be more serious than it really is. If you consume a lot of beets, it may result in the same thing. Once the fruit is gone from your system, your urine should return to its regular color.
How to Prepare Dragon Fruit before Serving
Gently squeeze the dragon fruit before purchasing it. It should feel a bit soft without feeling mushy or too soft. , void fruit with dried or bruised leaves, which indicate that it is overripe. If it seems hard when you press on it, allow it to ripen on the counter for a few days before eating.
The fruit should be quartered before serving. Peel off the skin or use a spoon, ice cream scoop, or melon baller to scoop out the flesh. The skin should not be consumed.
How to Eat Dragon Fruit
The following are unique ways to consume your dragon fruit:
- Toss it with other tropical fruits like pineapple and mango in a fruit salad.
- Chop it up into salsa.
- Blend it to make ice cream.
- Add it to water or juice by pressing it.
- Use it as a garnish on Greek yogurt.
- You could freeze it and make a smoothie with it.
How to Store Dragon Fruit to Keep it Fresh
The refrigerator is a good place to keep any remaining dragon fruit for up to five days. Alternately, you might freeze it for as long as three months.
Originally posted 2022-08-11 00:18:21.
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