Dragon fruit, also called pitaya or pitahaya in other territories, is one of the edible fruits people eat today. Coming from the Hylocereus genus, pitaya is distinctively from the Stenocereus genus and the fruit is grown in Southeast Asia, the United States, Australia, Israel, Cyprus, and the Canary Islands. The following are the health benefits of dragon fruit, along with a sample recipe.
Health Benefits
Arthritis and Aging
One health benefit of dragon fruit is the management of arthritis and aging symptoms. According to Life Hack, dragon fruit has anti-inflammatory agents, which help suppress the inflammation in various parts of the body, such as the joints. To add, dragon fruits antioxidants help tighten the skin, making it look younger. As per the publication, the person may create a face mask using dragon fruit and honey as natural alternative to anti-aging face masks.
Skin Health
Dragon fruit has various positive effects to the skin. According to Style Craze, the fruit is high in antioxidants, which help eliminate toxins and free radicals, which cause aging. As per the publication, the person may drink one glass of the fruit juice in the morning to help excrete the body toxins,, which results to a glowing skin. The fruit can also hep treat and soothe sunburned skin with its vitamin C, since the vitamin promotes collagen function; collagen acts as cement and helps bind loosely connected cells and tissues. This means that collagen helps promote skin integrity. As per the publication, the person adds vitamin C and vitamin E to the fruit puree before applying it to the sunburned area.
Anti-Cancer
Another health benefit of dragon fruit is its ability to combat cancer. Cancer is a deadly disease and people usually acquire it from genetics and unhealthy lifestyle. According to cancer studies, as cited by Mercola, a diet of fruits and vegetables with lycopene, such as dragon fruit, along with exercise, protected people against prostate cancer. As per the publication, dragon fruit also helps inhibit the action of human cytochrome P450, which is associated with liver function.
Sample Recipe
One recipe that has dragon fruit as one of its ingredients is Dragon Fruit Pudding. According to A Brown Table, the ingredients include half cup water, one sachet unflavored gelatin, one dragon fruit, five rambutans (peeled, seed removed, finely diced), two tablespoons brown sugar, and one can lite coconut milk).
To prepare, as per the publication, water is added to a small bowl and the gelatin is sprinkled on top. The gelatin is let to bloom for at least five minutes; it will absorb the liquid and swell into translucent granules. Next, the coconut milk and sugar are added to a thick bottomed saucepan and are brought to a mild simmer on medium heat. Then, the dragon fruit pulp is scooped into a bowl; the pulp is smashed using the prongs of a fork. After that, the dragon fruit and rambutan fruit pulps are added to the coconut milk in the saucepan. Then, the gelatin is stirred in and mixed for about a minute. The liquid is poured and evenly divided into serving bowls or molded and refrigerated until the pudding is soft but firm to touch. The dish is served chilled then, the outer surface of the mold is placed in warm water for a few seconds to let it loosen. Finally, the finished output is flipped on a clean plate, tapped gently, and the mold is removed.
Dragon fruit is considered a nutritious food, due to its many health benefits. Thus, it can be easily added to weekly meal menus from friends and families.
Source: stylecraze.com
