Nutritional and Health Benefits:
Types & Basic Nutrition:
- Dragon fruit is a colourful, low-calorie fruit.
- 100 grams of dragon fruit pulp provides:
- 60 calories
- 13% carbohydrates
- 3 grams of fibre
- 0 fats
- 0.1 grams of protein
- 84 grams of water
- 15 grams of carbohydrates
- 3 mg of Vitamin C
- 4 mg of Potassium
- 7 mcg of Potassium (possibly a duplicate, needs verification)
- 4 mcg of Vitamin K
- 59 IU of Vitamin A
Appearance:
- Bright pink or yellow outer skin with green scales (resembling a dragon).
- White or red flesh inside, with tiny black edible seeds.
Key Nutrients & Compounds:
- Rich in minerals: phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and chloride.
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids: Helps reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol.
- Powerful antioxidants:
- Plantain (possibly a misinterpretation, may refer to “beta lain”)
- Beta lain flavonoids: Reduce inflammation caused by free radicals.
- Beta-carotene: Neutralizes free radical damage.
- Hydroxycinnamate: Aids in destroying cancer cells by cutting their blood supply and acting early.
- Beta-line (possibly meant to be beta lain): Helps with insulin resistance.
Scientific Findings:
- In mouse studies, dragon fruit:
- Reduced 30% of free radical damage.
- Helped improve insulin resistance, especially in overweight subjects.
Additional Health Benefits:
- Supports liver health via a chemical called FGF21, promoting detoxification and digestive power.
- Supports heart health through omega-3 action.
- Micronutrient-rich: Contains various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants beneficial to overall health.
