Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is low in calories, rich in fiber and antioxidants, and has a sweet, refreshing taste.
Dragon fruit can be used to prepare many types of cool drinks and delicious dishes such as smoothies, juices, dragon fruit tea, dragon fruit cake, dragon fruit jam. With incredible nutrient content, red-flesh dragon fruit or white-flesh dragon fruit can both meet many of the body’s nutritional needs.
100g of dragon fruit contains 60 grams of calories, 13 grams of carbohydrates, 1.2 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, rich in vitamins C, B1, B2, B3 and minerals such as iron, calcium and phosphorus, and does not contain fat.
Dragon fruit is a very healthy fruit that not only has a delicious taste, is easy to eat and has medicinal effects.
According to oriental medicine, dragon fruit has a sweet, sour taste, cool properties, clears heat, clears the lungs, clears the lungs, and clears phlegm. Dragon fruit flowers have the effect of nourishing the lungs and eliminating coughs.
In modern medicine, dragon fruit is also known for its many health benefits such as:
Anti-oxidant, prevent cancer
Dragon fruit contains several types of polyphenol antioxidants, carotenoids, and vitamin C. These are compounds that protect cells from free radicals that cause chronic diseases and aging.
According to studies, a diet rich in antioxidants can help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis and beautify the skin and strengthen the immune system.
A study comparing the antioxidant properties of 17 tropical fruits and berries, found that although the antioxidant capacity of dragon fruit was not particularly high, it was found to be the best at protecting some fatty acids from the harmful effects of free radicals.
Carotenoids (beta-carotene and lycopene) in dragon fruit have the ability to fight cancer-producing cells. Diets rich in carotenoids are associated with lower rates of heart disease and cancer.
Improve fatty liver and cardiovascular health
Both red and white dragon fruit have been shown to reduce insulin resistance and fatty liver in obese mice. Dragon fruit is a rich source of fiber, which can also contribute to cardiovascular health, managing type 2 diabetes and maintaining a healthy body weight.
AIDS digestion
The source of fiber in dragon fruit helps improve the digestive system, preventing constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. Dragon fruit can help balance healthy bacteria in the gut because it contains prebiotics, which encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut – potentially improving metabolic health.
Dragon fruit has many health benefits.
Supplement iron and magnesium to the body
Iron is an essential ingredient in the process of hematopoiesis. Dragon fruit is one of the few fruits that naturally contains iron, providing 8% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of iron per serving.
Adding dragon fruit in the diet helps prevent anemia and increases blood circulation in the body. Vitamin C is also found in dragon fruit to help the body absorb iron better for the hematopoietic process.
Meanwhile, Magnesium is a mineral found in all body cells and participates in more than 600 important chemical processes occurring throughout the body, necessary to convert food into energy, contract muscles, bone formation and DNA synthesis.
In 170 grams of dragon fruit, there are 68 mg of magnesium. Some studies show that increasing magnesium consumption may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and promote bone health.