Dragon fruit (Pitaya) is one of the more curious looking fruits in the produce section of the grocery store. This exotic fruit is very beautiful with pure white, yellow or red flesh and numerous edible, small black seeds. Although its availability all over the world is pretty limited, its popularity is gaining traction. Commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions, the dragon fruit is one of those exotic fruits that offer a multitude of benefits for your skin, hair, and health. Here are the top benefits of Dragon Fruit:
HEALTHY EYES
This fruit contains Vitamin A in the form of carotene which is needed by the retina of the eye for both low-light (night vision) and colour vision. Night blindness and other eye problems such as age-related macular degeneration can be caused by a deficiency in Vitamin A.
GLOWING SKIN
The high seed content in dragon fruit makes them a great source of healthy monounsaturated fats which improve the look and feel of our skin. Pretty much all fruit is antioxidant rich, including dragon fruit, and so consuming a diet rich in raw plant-based foods will stave off free radicals and make you not only look younger, but make your skin tighter, more flexible and bless you with a beautiful healthy glow!
WEIGHT LOSS
If you are worried about weight management, dragon fruit can help you. Being low in calories and high in fibre, it helps keep you feeling full longer so you’ll eat less throughout the day. Indulging in mindless eating is a key factor in weight gain. The combination of high fibre and low calories also boost your metabolism rate, which helps you lose weight faster. In addition, the vitamin C helps burn fat.
STRENGTHEN BONES AND TEETH
Dragon fruit is rich in calcium and phosphorous that helps strengthen your bones and teeth. Calcium is also needed for proper muscle functioning and nerve transmission. It even aids in tissue formation and repair, which helps prevent brittle bones and osteoporosis. In addition, this fruit has an anti-inflammatory property that helps reduce pain and inflammation of the joints due to arthritis and other health issues.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
The high B vitamin content in dragon fruit helps to support the formation and maintenance of some of the most basic structures in the nervous system. It helps in the formation of nerve cells themselves, and makes us more alert, and experience higher levels of mental clarity. Calcium in dragon fruit is also essential in enhancing the functioning of the nervous system. It keeps our nerves healthy and ensures their ability to communicate effectively.
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
The seeds in dragon fruit are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids). These healthy fats actually help reduce triglycerides and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Dragon fruit also contains vitamin B3 which lowers our bad (LDL) cholesterol levels while raising our good (HDL) cholesterol levels. Additionally, dragon fruit is known to help decrease high levels of oxidative stress, one of the main contributing factors in cardiovascular disease.
ANTIOXIDANTS
Eat dragon fruit as a good natural source of anti-oxidants which help to prevent the dangers of free radicals which can cause cancer and other undesirable health detriments. The number, quantity, and variety of antioxidants in real foods like dragon fruit is completely unmatched by any food supplement or pills – even those claiming to have ‘antioxidant’ health benefits. Nothing compares to the rich array of nutrients and antioxidants in a real natural food like the dragon fruit.
TREATING COLOURED HAIR
Dragon fruit juice is an excellent agent for treating coloured hair. By simply putting the juice or a conditioner containing dragon fruit on your scalp, you can protect your chemically treated or coloured hair. This will keep the hair follicles open, allowing your hair to breathe and remain healthy and smooth.