Dragon fruit, commonly known as pitaya or strawberry pear, is not only a beautiful-looking fruit but also incredibly nutritious with many health benefits.
Dragon fruit is a fruit that grows on the Hylocerus cactus.
It is a plant native to Mexico and Central America.
Its name comes from its appearance. It has prickly protrusions that resemble dragon’s scales.
There are two common types of dragon fruit.
The most common one has a purple/pink outer layer with white flesh and black seeds.
On the other hand, the least common one has an outer purple/pink layer but a strong pink flesh color with black seeds.
If you haven’t tried a dragon fruit and are wondering what it tastes like, people say it is a combination of a kiwi and a pear.
Despite its prickly form, dragon fruit is sweet and slightly acidic.
And, while it won’t pack a punch of flavor like other fruits, it can be a great powerhouse when it comes to supplying essential vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy.
In this article, we’ll go over all the amazing health benefits dragon fruit has to offer.
From its antioxidant properties to its effect on immune function, we’ll dig deep into what the science has to say about this fruit.
In addition, we’ll also talk about different ways for you to use dragon fruit in your diet.
How Dragon Fruit Supports Your Health
Dragon fruit has a lot to offer (besides flavor). Including it as part of your diet can help improve overall wellness.
But dragon fruit also has more specific benefits, such as reduced inflammation, improved gut health, and enhanced immune function.
Let’s take a closer look at each benefit of eating dragon fruit.
1) Reduces Inflammation
Dragon fruit has several antioxidants, such as betalains and flavonoids. Now, while it might not have the highest antioxidant capacity, it can still help reduce oxidative stress.
This happens when too many free radicals are in the body, which, consequently, can increase inflammatory markers.
In addition, research shows that antioxidants can help reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease.
2) Improves Gut Health
Dragon fruit is high in fiber. In fact, one cup of dragon fruit provides 22% of the daily recommended intake of fiber.
Thanks to its high fiber content, it can help promote good bowel movements and increase fullness levels (aiding in weight management).
Another benefit of fiber is that it can help improve gut health. The gut microbiome plays an essential role in immune function, digestion, and overall wellness.
Now, remember that if you are not used to eating foods very high in fiber, make sure to eat them in moderation.
Adding too much fiber too fast can increase the risk of digestive issues, such as bloating, gas, and stomach cramps.
3) Reduces Muscle Cramps
Dragon fruit is a good source of potassium and magnesium, both essential electrolytes that help in muscle contraction.
When you exercise, you lose essential minerals. If you don’t replenish them, it can increase the risk of muscle cramps.
So, adding dragon fruit post-exercise might help reduce the risk of muscle cramps.
In addition, thanks to its high antioxidant content, it can also help improve recovery, making it a great post-workout snack.
Make sure you accompany it with some protein (like Greek yogurt) to create the ultimate post-workout snack.
4) Boosts Immune Function
Finally, it seems that dragon fruit can help improve immune function. A stronger immune function can decrease the risk of you catching a cold.
Dragon fruit’s strong antioxidants and vitamin C content can help increase white blood cell production, which is the body’s army.
Nutrition Facts About Dragon Fruit
Here are the nutritional facts for one cup of dragon fruit (180 grams).
| Feature | One cup of dragon fruit |
| Calories | 103 |
| Carbs (g) | 27.4 |
| Fiber (g) | 5.6 |
| Protein (g) | 0.6 |
| Fats (g) | 0.2 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 18.7 |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 7.7 |
| Potassium (mg) | 209 |
If you’re wondering whether dragon fruit is good for you, the answer is yes. As you can see, dragon fruit is relatively low in calories, high in carbs and fiber, and low in protein and fats.
It is also high in essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium.
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How To Eat A Dragon Fruit
One of the benefits of dragon fruit is that they are very versatile. You can eat them fresh, or you can create delicious and healthy meals.
If you don’t know how to incorporate dragon fruit into your diet, here are some recipe ideas that can help you out.
1) Dragon Fruit Smoothie Recipe
One of my favorite ways to have dragon fruit is to make it into a smoothie. There are different ways in which you can prepare dragon fruit in a smoothie.
Here is a simple dragon fruit smoothie recipe:
- Cut the dragon fruit into cubes and place it in the freezer.
- Once they are frozen, place them in a blender with some lemon juice, water, and your favorite sweeteners.
- Enjoy your refreshing dragon fruit lemonade smoothie.
You can also get creative and add other ingredients to boost the nutritional value of dragon fruit. For example, another dragon fruit smoothie idea is to place in a blender dragon fruit, mango, banana, coconut milk, and ice cubes. This recipe is similar to a mango dragon fruit refresher.
2) Frozen Dragon Fruit Sorbet
For those hot summer days, creating a dragon fruit sorbet is going to provide a refreshing treat to the entire family.
Just like with the smoothie, there are different ways in which you can make a dragon fruit sorbet. A healthy and delicious option is to mix dragon fruit, bananas, pineapple, coconut water, honey (or another sweetener), and some lemon juice or zest.
You can make a large batch or create individual popsicles.
3) Dragon Fruit Jam
If you have dragon fruit that is about to go bad, the best thing you can do with it is to make jam. I know it sounds complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.
To make the jam, you’ll need dragon fruit, sugar, and water. Place the ingredients in a pan until it thickens, and you’ll have the best dragon fruit jam you’ve ever tried. You can also add some lemon zest or orange for a tangy flavor.
4) Dragon Fruit Energy Balls
Energy bites are the best snacks you can make. They are rich in nutrients and very easy to make.
The best part about making energy balls is that you can take them with you on the go, or you can place them in the freezer to use later in the week.
While the ingredients might vary according to your liking, you can place in a food processor dragon fruit, unsweetened coconut, almond flour, honey, coconut cream, and coconut extract.
5) Dragon Fruit Chia Pudding
Chia pudding can be an easy and convenient breakfast (or snack) to have. The best thing is that you can make it the night before and forget about it until the next day.
My favorite dragon fruit chia pudding has fresh dragon fruit (in cubes), chia seeds, coconut milk, Greek vanilla yogurt, and stevia (or your favorite sweetener).
Not only can I assure you that it is going to be delicious, but it is also going to be incredibly filling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does dragon fruit make you poop?
Yes, dragon fruit is high in fiber (5.6 grams), meaning it can help promote bowel movements. Now, keep in mind that you need to eat at least 25 grams of fiber daily.
So, dragon fruit is not the only one that is going to make you poop, but a combination of other high-fiber foods.
Also, remember to have proper hydration to make sure fiber functions properly.
How to cut a dragon fruit?
Use a knife and cut the dragon half in the middle. Grab a spoon and scoop the flesh from the fruit. You can cut it into cubes or slices. Depending on the fruit, you can also peel the skin with your hands.
What does dragon fruit taste like?
Dragon fruit is slightly sweet and tangy. Some people would say it is a combination between kiwi and pear. However, those who have tried dragon fruit would tell you that its flavor is a bit complex to describe.
How can you tell if a dragon fruit is ripe?
When dragon fruit is ripe, it has a strong pink color. Make sure it has smooth skin, and keep the brown spots to a minimum.
Squeeze it (lightly) to see if it’s ripe. If you squeeze it and it’s not firm, then it is ripe and ready to eat.
How do you peel a dragon fruit?
To peel a dragon fruit, cut it with a knife in half and then peel the skin. Then you can grab a spoon and scoop the flesh.
Are there any side effects of eating dragon fruit?
Dragon fruits are generally safe and well-tolerated. However, some people might experience a mild allergic reaction.
Possible symptoms include:
- swelling of the tongue
- vomiting
- hives
If you have one of the previous symptoms, make sure you consult with your doctor.
Do different dragon fruit colors have different benefits?
There is a slight difference between the antioxidant capacity of different colored dragon fruits. It seems that the stronger the color (the redder), the more powerful the antioxidant capacity.
Can you eat dragon fruit seeds?
Yes, you can safely eat the seeds of the dragon fruit.
Can dogs eat dragon fruit?
Yes, dogs can eat dragon fruit in moderation. However, make sure you don’t feed your dog too much dragon fruit since it might cause digestive issues, such as gas, bloating, or diarrhea. Still, consult with your veterinarian before giving it to your dog.
Conclusion
Dragon fruit is a very versatile and healthy fruit you might want to consider adding to your diet as part of your daily routine.
Its high antioxidant content can help reduce inflammation, decrease the risk of chronic illness, improve gut health and digestion, reduce muscle cramps, and enhance immune function.
There are different dragon fruit recipe varieties for you to add dragon fruit into your meals, such as in smoothies, chia puddings, jams, or sorbets.
No matter the recipe you decide to try, these fruits are not only going to make your meals pop (if you choose the red dragon fruit), but it will also pack a punch of nutrients and help you stay healthy.
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