Pitaya or dragon fruit, as it is more commonly known as, is a fruit native to South America. Over time, its cultivation has spread to South Eastern Asia as well, and it is quite a common fruit in the countries of China, Thailand, and Vietnam. The dragon fruit gets its name from the way its peel looks – like the skin of a dragon, yellow or red with green scales.
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.
Benefits of dragon fruit for skin, hair health are surplus.
Dragon fruit can be incorporated into your skin care regimen. It helps fight the signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines when used as a face pack once a week.
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Aging is caused by the free radicals that are present in our body. These free radicals cause cellular damage that results in wrinkles. Dragon fruit is a rich source of antioxidants (1). It helps fight the free radicals and slows down the aging process. This makes your skin look younger and smoother.
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The topical application of dragon fruit can help reduce acne.
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Dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C, which is why it useful for treating acne (2), (3).
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Applying a pack made of dragon fruit can help soothe the redness and inflammation caused by the sun.
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As mentioned earlier, dragon fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C. A combination of vitamins E and C has been proven to protect your skin against UV rays and soothe sunburns (4).
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Colored hair tends to be damaged. The chemicals that lend your hair color also leave it dry and dull. Using dragon fruit for your hair can mitigate some of the damage done.
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Dragon fruit is rich in nutrients, which is why it works really well on hair that has been colored or chemically treated (5).
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Adding dragon fruit to your diet is a great idea because it can help lower your cholesterol levels.
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Not all fats are bad for you. In fact, unsaturated fats are an essential part of a balanced diet. Dragon fruit seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fats, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids that help lower cholesterol (6).
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Dragon fruit can help in curing several stomach ailments such as indigestion and constipation.
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Dragon fruit is rich in fiber and has a high water content, which makes it ideal for people suffering from constipation (7). It also improves digestion.
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Studies have shown that dragon fruit regulates the blood sugar levels in diabetics.
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Dragon fruit is a rich source of polyphenols, carotenoids, thiols, tocopherols, and glucosinolates, which help lower blood sugar (8).
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Eating dragon fruit can help in keeping your heart healthy.
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Dragon fruit helps in reducing your cholesterol levels, which promotes cardiovascular health (9). It also controls the oxidative damage caused by free radicals and reduces the stiffness of arteries, which lowers the risk of a heart attack (10).
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If you are looking to lose weight, consider adding dragon fruit to your diet.
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Dragon fruit is low in calories and high in fiber (11). Since fiber cannot be digested, it keeps you full for longer and curbs excessive eating.
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Dragon fruit is not available easily. As its cultivation is limited to tropical and subtropical areas, it needs to be imported to other countries.
When selecting dragon fruit, look for uniformity in color, and avoid the ones that have spots or have started browning. Also, see if the fruit has filled out properly. Dragon fruit should be stored in the refrigerator, where it stays fresh for two to three weeks. It should be stored in a cool place, else it may spoil.
The most popular way of consuming dragon fruit is by cutting it in half, and eating it right out of the rind.
Dragon fruit, which is a rich source of nutrients including vitamins C and B, iron, calcium, and potassium, is extremely beneficial for our health.
Dragon fruit, with its mildly sweet taste makes a great addition to fruit salads and smoothies.
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So, would you consider adding this amazing fruit to your diet? Share your opinion in the comments section below.