Passion fruit (scientific name: Passiflora edulis), also known as passion fruit, passion fruit, and egg fruit, is a tropical fruit native to South America. It is characterized by a round or oval shape and a tough skin that becomes wrinkled when mature. The inside of the fruit contains juicy, aromatic pulp filled with small, edible black seeds.
Passion fruit has a unique sweet and sour flavor, with a rich and refreshing aroma. Typically eaten fresh, the pulp can be scooped out with a spoon or blended into juices, smoothies, and desserts. The fruit is also used to flavor a variety of culinary dishes and beverages.
Nutrition and Calories
Serving size: 40G (2 raw passion fruits)
- Moisture (g) 30
- Energy (kilojoules) 122
- Protein (g) 1.2
- Total fat (g) 0.1
- Saturated fat (grams) 0
- Carbohydrates (g) 2.3
- Sugar (g) 2.3
- Dietary fiber (g) 5.6
- Sodium (mg) 8
- Potassium (mg) 80
- Niacin equivalent (mg) 1.3
- Vitamin C (mg) 7.2
- Polyphenols (mg) 23
- β-carotene equivalent (ug) 300
- Low Glycemic Index (GI) 46
Passion Fruit Health Benefits
In addition to being delicious, passion fruit is rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins A and C, fiber and antioxidants. It has a variety of potential health benefits, including improving digestion, boosting immune function, and reducing the risk of chronic disease.
Rich in antioxidants
Passion fruit is rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, beta-carotene and flavonoids, which help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress. This may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Support immune function
The high vitamin C content in passion fruit strengthens the immune system and helps the body fight infections and diseases.
Promote digestion
Passion fruit contains dietary fiber, which aids digestion and helps prevent constipation by promoting regular bowel movements.
May help with weight management
Passion fruit is low in calories and high in fiber, making it a filling and satisfying snack option. Eating fiber-rich foods such as passion fruit may help control appetite and support weight loss or weight management efforts.
Support heart health
Passion fruit is a good source of potassium, an important mineral that helps regulate blood pressure and support heart health. Potassium helps offset the effects of sodium, lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
Potential use for blood pressure
Passion fruit has been used as a traditional medicine to treat high blood pressure, and results from rat studies have shown that passion fruit extract can reduce blood pressure by reducing serum nitric oxide. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in humans.
May improve skin health
The vitamin C and antioxidants in passion fruit can help promote skin health by fighting oxidative damage, reducing inflammation and supporting collagen production, which increases skin elasticity and firmness.
May help regulate blood sugar levels
Some studies suggest that passion fruit extract may have hypoglycemic effects and help improve blood sugar control, which may be beneficial for people with diabetes or those at risk for diabetes.
Support eye health
Passion fruit contains beta-carotene and vitamin A, both of which are essential for maintaining healthy vision and may help prevent age-related macular degeneration and other eye diseases.
Potential use in treating fungal infections
Passiflin is a protein found in passion fruit that has antifungal properties against a variety of fungi. Eating passion fruit may help control fungal infections, but further human studies are needed to verify these claims.
Potential use in treating asthma
Asthma is a disease characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, causing difficulty breathing. Studies have found that taking passion fruit peel extract daily can improve lung capacity and reduce coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath in people with asthma. More research is needed to confirm these findings and evaluate the safety and effectiveness of passion fruit in treating asthma.
Potential use in treating cancer
Studies have found that passion fruit seed extract containing piceatannol has a positive effect on the growth of cancer cells. However, further human studies are needed to confirm its potential to treat cancer.
Passion fruit side effects
- Passion fruit pulp contains cyanogenic glycosides, which can be toxic at higher levels, especially in unripe fruits.
- Due to its high dietary fiber content, excessive consumption of passion fruit can cause short-term gastrointestinal discomfort.
- Passion fruit may contribute to latex food syndrome because the shared protein can cause allergic reactions in people with latex allergies.
- May cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
- Potentially causing latex food syndrome, a person with a latex allergy may experience an allergic reaction after eating passion fruit because the proteins present in latex that are known to cause latex allergies are also present in passion fruit.
generalize
Incorporating passion fruit into a balanced diet can provide many health benefits and contribute to overall health. However, for optimal health results, it is crucial to include passion fruit as part of a varied and nutritious diet.
