Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit known for its bright red skin and sweet, seed-speckled flesh. Derived from the cactus plant, it has a unique appearance and is rich in nutrients, making it popular among gourmets and health-conscious people. The sweetness of dragon fruit has been described as a blend of kiwi, pear and watermelon. Its small black seeds are said to have a nutty flavor and are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
In most cases, dragon fruit is safe to eat and has many health benefits due to its vitamin C and antioxidant properties. This fruit is low in calories and makes a perfect daily snack. However, some people may be allergic to the fruit, with symptoms including tongue swelling, hives, and vomiting. By all accounts, this response was rare.
If you eat too much red dragon fruit, your urine may turn pink or red. This side effect seems more disturbing than it actually is. The same thing can happen if you eat too many beets. Once the fruit is completely out of your body, your urine will return to its normal color.
Eating dragon fruit every day does not seem to have any side effects.
Dragon fruit nutrition facts
In a six-ounce serving of dragon fruit, you'll get the following ingredients:
| nutrient | quantity |
|---|---|
| Calories | 102 |
| fat | 0 grams |
| protein | 2 grams |
| carbohydrate | 22 grams |
| fiber | 5 grams |
| carbohydrate | 13 grams |
| Vitamin A | 100 international units |
| Vitamin C | 4 mg |
| calcium | 31 mg |
| iron | 1 g |
| magnesium | 68 mg |
6 health benefits of dragon fruit
Dragon fruit has many health benefits, including:
- May Help Fight Chronic Disease: Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause cell damage, which can lead to inflammation and disease. One way to combat free radicals is to eat foods rich in antioxidants, such as dragon fruit. Antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals, thereby preventing cell damage.
- Rich in fiber: Dragon fruit is high in fiber and fat-free, which makes it a great snack as it helps you stay fuller longer between meals.
- May help control blood sugar: Dragon fruit may help lower blood sugar levels. Researchers say this may be partly because it replaces damaged cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, a hormone that helps the body break down sugar.
- Promotes Gut Health: Dragon fruit contains prebiotics, which are a food source for healthy gut bacteria. Containing more prebiotics in the body can promote the balance of good and bad bacteria in the intestines. In particular, dragon fruit can promote the growth of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the intestines, killing viruses and bacteria that cause infections.
- Boosts your immune system: Dragon fruit can boost your immune system as it is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants that aid immunity.
- Helps boost iron levels: Iron is important for transporting oxygen into the body and giving you energy, and dragon fruit is rich in it. What's more, the vitamin C in dragon fruit helps your body absorb and utilize iron.
