Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that has a bright pink or yellow skin with green scales and a white or red flesh with black seeds. It tastes like a mix of kiwi and pear and is very refreshing.
Dragon fruit is also very good for your health. It has many nutrients and compounds that can help you in different ways. Here are some of the health benefits of dragon fruit:
It protects your cells from damage. Dragon fruit has antioxidants that can stop or reduce the harm caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause problems in your body. Free radicals can cause inflammation, aging, and diseases like cancer. Dragon fruit can prevent or lower the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which is bad for your heart.
It helps you stay full and regular. Dragon fruit has a lot of fiber, which can make you feel satisfied for longer and stop you from eating too much. Fiber also helps your digestion and bowel movements by making your stool softer and easier to pass. Dragon fruit can give you about 18% of your daily fiber needs.
It may lower your blood sugar. Dragon fruit may help your blood sugar levels by making your body use sugar better for energy. Sugar is the main source of energy in your blood, and insulin is a hormone that helps your body use it. Dragon fruit may reduce insulin resistance and fatty liver, which are problems that can affect your blood sugar levels. However, more research is needed to prove this.
It feeds your gut bacteria. Dragon fruit has prebiotics, which are substances that feed the good bacteria in your gut. These bacteria can help you fight infections, digest food, and make vitamins. Dragon fruit helps the growth of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, which are two types of good bacteria that are good for your gut health.
It boosts your immune system. Dragon fruit is a good source of vitamin C, which is important for your immune system. Vitamin C helps your body make white blood cells, which are the cells that fight off germs and infections. It also helps your body absorb iron, which is another important mineral for your immunity. Dragon fruit can give you about 9% of your daily vitamin C needs.
It increases your iron levels. Iron is a mineral that helps your body make red blood cells, which are the cells that carry oxygen in your body. Iron deficiency can cause anemia, which is a condition where you have low levels of oxygen in your blood. Anemia can make you feel tired, weak, and dizzy. Dragon fruit is one of the few fruits that has some iron, about 7% of your daily needs.
How to Eat Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is easy to eat and enjoy. You can just cut it in half and eat the flesh with a spoon or peel off the skin and cut it into pieces. You can eat it fresh or add it to other foods like salads, smoothies, yogurt, or desserts.
Dragon fruit is a delicious and healthy fruit that you should try. It can offer you many benefits for your health and well-being. Try adding it to your diet today!
Dr. Karuturi Subrahmanyam, MD, FRCP (London), FACP (USA)
Internal Medicine Specialist
Kify Hospital
Danavaipeta
Rajahmundry
Phone : 85000 23456
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