Dragon Fruit: Queen of the night is a Superfruit
Dragon fruit is a beautiful fruit with an intense color and shape, the
flowers were breathtaking. Like blooms at night, this fruit also called
Moonflower, Queen of the night, and the Lady of the Night. Usually the fruit is
dark red, it can also be found in yellow or pink.
Dragon fruit was originally known as pitaya. This night-flowering cactus plant
is also known as strawberry pear, skogkaktus, pa-ni-ni, catobarse and long gou.
Originating in Mexico and South America, this fruit is now also grown
commercially in Asia.
Dragon fruit have a taste similar to that of kiwi fruit, pear and watermelon.
There are a lot of seeds in the dragon fruit. Apparently the seeds are
unsaturated fats that are good for health because it lowers good cholesterol and
expel the bad cholesterol.
To prepare a pitaya for consumption, the fruit is cut open to expose the flesh.
The fruit's texture is sometimes likened to that of the kiwifruit because of its
black, crunchy seeds. The flesh, which is eaten raw, is mildly sweet and low in
calories. The seeds are eaten together with the flesh, have a nutty taste and
are rich in lipids, but they are indigestible unless chewed. The fruit is also
converted into juice or wine, or used to flavour other beverages. The flowers
can be eaten or steeped as tea. The skin is not eaten, and in farm-grown fruit
it may be polluted with pesticides.
Ingestion of significant amounts of red-fleshed dragon fruit (such as Costa
Rican Pitaya) may result in a harmless reddish coloration of the urine (pseudohematuria)
and of the feces. Several of the Padres who missionized Baja California recorded
an unusual form of consumption of pitaya that is also shared in some O'odham
stories from southern Arizona. It is called the "second harvest" of pitaya
seeds. With the scarcity of fruits in their lands, the pitaya was such a prized
fruit that once it was eaten, the natives would wait for their own excrement to
dry, then break it apart separating the pitaya seeds. These seeds would be
ground into a flour and eaten again, giving the pitaya's "second harvest" its
name. Interestingly, the O'odham name for the Milky Way translates as "the
second harvest of pitaya."
The mild taste of pitaya flesh is often remarked upon, as it stands in stark
contrast to the vibrant exterior. The taste has been described as being "very
bland... like a melon or kiwi," with a "mild sweetness.
There are two very noticeable differences between Pitaya from Central America
and Pitaya (or Dragon Fruit) that comes from Asia. When you cut open most of the
Pitaya from Asia, you will discover that it is very white on the inside.
However, when you cut open a Pitaya from Central America the inside is a dark
red magenta. The white varieties from Asia tend to be very bland and do not
carry a lot of nutrients. However, the Pitayas from Central America have what
some would describe as an earthy strawberry-raspberry taste.
The Pitaya fruit from Central America can be found along nutrient rich volcano
mountainsides. The Pitaya fruit sprouts from a big beautiful white flower that
only opens its petals under the night sky. The strong sun rises in the morning,
and burns off the flowers petals. You are left with a small bud ready to grow
into a delicious Pitaya fruit.
Health benefits of dragon fruit
Dragon Fruit among the many wonder fruits that are said to provide multiple
health benefits. In addition, dragonfruits help protect the environment because
they absorb carbon dioxide at nighttime, and then release oxygen to purify the
air.
1. Helps in Weight loss, least calories
If you are looking for fruits that are filling and delicious, but will help keep
your weight in check, dragonfruits are a perfect choice. A 100g serving of
dragonfruit has only 60 calories: 18 calories from fat (all unsaturated), 8
calories from protein and 34 calories from carbohydrates. Dragonfruits do not
have complex carbohydrates, so they can be easily broken down by the body.
2. No Fats and Cholesterol
Dragonfruits do not contain cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat, so regular
consumption will help manage your blood pressure and control your cholesterol
levels. The seeds of dragonfruits are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids
(omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) that reduce triglycerides and lower the risk
of cardiovascular disorder. In fact, 50% of the seeds were made up of an
essential fatty acid, oleic acid, which helps lower bad cholesterol and raise
good cholesterol.
3. Rich in Fiber
 Dragonfruits are high in fiber, so regular consumption can help avoid
constipation, improve your digestive health and help you reduce weight.
4. Good source of Vitamins and Minerals
Dragonfruits are rich in vitamin C, containing 9mg per serving that is
equivalent to 10 percent of the daily value. Thus, eating dragonfruits helps
strengthen your immune system and promotes faster healing of bruises and wounds.
In fact, regular eating of dragonfruits will help ward off chronic respiratory
disorders such as asthma and cough. Dragonfruits also contain B vitamins such as
B1 for better carbohydrate metabolism, B2 for recovery and improvement of
appetite, and B3 for reducing bad cholesterol while improving the skin
condition.
Dragonfruits are also packed with minerals such as calcium for stronger bones
and teeth, phosphorus for tissue formation and iron for healthy blood. One
dragonfruit contains approximately 8.8g of calcium, 36.1mg of phosphorus and
0.65mg of iron.
5. Antioxidant due to Phytoalbumins
Dragonfruits contain phytoalbumins, which have antioxidant properties that help
prevent the formation of cancer cells. In addition, dragonfruits are also known
to increase the excretion of heavy metal toxins from the body.
6. Prevents prostate cancer due to Lycopene
Lycopene is also present in dragonfruits, and this is the pigment responsible
for their red color. Lycopene is said prevent prostate cancer.
7. An anti inflammatory helps in Arthritis:
Dragon fruit helps to decrease the irritation of joints, so it is called as an
anti inflammatory fruit. The symptoms of arthritis are alleviated once the
swelling of the joints are reduced.
8. Good for the Heart:
The greatest of dragon fruit advantages if for cardiovascular health. It
decreases bad cholesterol levels from the body and then increases good
cholesterol levels. This fruit is a good source of mono saturated fats which
helps to keep our heart in good condition.
9. Regulates Diabetes:
Dragon fruit contains a high amount of fiber that helps a person stabilize his
blood sugar levels. It also avoids sugar spikes that are often observed after
eating high glycemic index foods. Therefore, it is good for a diabetic patient
though you should consult your doctor before consumption.
10. Fights Aging:
This fruit is a rich source of antioxidants. It helps us to fight free radicals
in our body. It also helps to slow down the aging process after the free
radicals are reduced. Due to this, the skin looks young, flexible and tight.
11. Asthma:
Dragonfruits contain high amounts of Vitamin C which strengthens the immunity
system against and helps fight against respiratory disorders like Asthma.
 12. Dragon Fruit Face Pack to Treat Acne:
As dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C, it is really useful for treating acne.
Take a quarter of dragon fruit. Make a smooth paste out of it. Apply it on
affected area. Rinse off with lukewarm water once it gets dry. Apply this
regularly, if possible twice a day for best result.
13. Dragon Fruit Face Pack to Soothe Sunburned Skin:
Take one tablespoon each of dragon fruit juice and cucumber juice. Add one
tablespoon honey with it. Mix these well in a bowl and apply this pack on
sunburned skin. Let this face pack stay at least for half an hour, so that it
can cool your skin. Rinse it off with lukewarm water and continue with ice cold
water. As dragon fruit is rich in vitamin B3, it soothes and moisturizes dry
sunburned skin. So next time you suffer from sunburn, don�t forget to apply this
pack. The dragon fruit juice also works as a wonderful sun shield. Before going
out, soak some cotton ball into some dragon fruit juice. Apply it on face. Allow
the skin to absorb the juice and wash your face with cold water. This will
protect you from the harmful effects of UV rays.
14. Dragon Fruit Face Pack for Bright Glowing Skin:
Take a dragon fruit. Scoop out its flesh. Make a smooth paste of it. Apply it on
face, neck, and on the rest of your body. Let it absorb in your body. Take a
shower. Do it twice a week.
15. Treat Coloured Hair:
Dragon fruit juice works really well on chemically treated hair and coloured
hair. Apply some dragon fruit juice on your scalp. Wait 15-20 minutes. Wash your
hair with shampoo.
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Dated 27 February 2014
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