The dragon fruit has an exceptional exterior, ranging from bright pink to yellow skinned in Columbia with green spiny scales. These scales will become yellow as the fruit mature and the skin will peels off easily. The fruit has an oblong shape and the flesh inside has a fine sweet taste but sometimes is slightly sour. The flesh can either be white or red in color but is always with black seeds spotted all over. They resemble sesame seeds. They also taste like cactus seeds with a crunchy texture.
Dragon fruit thrives best in tropical, dry or subtropical climates. In tropical wet zones, in order for plants to grow well, set the soil setting reliably. The plants aren't that choosy as to its favorable soil type, but because they are epiphytic by nature, it is advisable to grow them in soil that is improved with organic products. Some have successfully grow the plant in sandy soils. In hot climates, putting some shade is necessary.
Some of the health benefits that the dragon fruit offers are as follows:
Heart health
How to keep a heart healthy? Dragon fruit is both low in cholesterol and has little to no unhealthy cholesterol producing fats. The fruit is also high in flavonoids which have positive effects against cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin C packed
The content of vitamin C in dragon fruit is surprisingly high. It is also a fruit rich and balanced with nutrients that comes along with the vitamin C, so the body absorbs the vitamin C more efficiently. This will boosts the immune system and develop the optimum body health.
Antioxidant
As a good source of anti-oxidants which help avoid the damage caused by free radicals and cancer, dragon fruit is an ideal fruit to consume regularly. The presence of rich amounts of minerals, vitamin C, and pytoalbumin in the fruit are considered as the antioxidant agents.
Fiber rich
Dietary fiber is an essential nutrient for all. Eating fruits like the dragon fruit is the best way to get these dietary fibers. It has about 1g of fiber per 100g of the fresh fruit. If you want to raise the amount of fiber to be taken from dragon fruit, you can eat the peel as long as it is free from any molds or spoilage. The dried forms of this fruit may include some or all of the skin actually. The benefit it gives is by aiding in the digestion and promoting the growth of probiotics. They also let us avoid constipation by working as bulk laxatives. They help improve the digestive health. Aside from improving the digestion process, it also helps regulate our body in accumulation of fats.
Diabetes
Studies also shows that the glucose found in the sweet dragon fruit help controls the blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes.
Cancer prevention
Dragon fruit is rich in minerals and fibers that cleanse away the toxic in our body thus preventing the incidence of colon cancer
Eye care
They also have carotene that help us improve and maintain a good eyesight.
Bone and tissue formation
The fruits are rich in phosphorus and calcium. Calcium support teeth and bones formation to become a healthy person. Phosphorus helps in tissue formation.
The seeds of the fruit are believed to be able to control blood glucose levels in people with non-insulin-dependent hyperglycaemic conditions. It is also utilized to treat endocrine and stomach problems. The fruit can be a sweet alternative for rice, particularly for the diabetics. In some regions, the plant is commonly used as a plant climber to cover chain link fencing while some parts of the dragon fruit plant are processed to produce food coloring.
The fruit is usually eaten raw and tastes better when chilled. It also popularly served as beverage like juice. The sweet flesh mixed with mango makes a tropical sorbet. The fruit is also a flavorful addition to exotic drinks. And the syrup squeezed from the whole fruit put color to candy and pastries. The fruit pulp is used in formulating an alcoholic beverage or a cocktail as a whole fruit or as mixed with other tropical fruits. Its flower buds that are not opened yet are cooked and eaten as a vegetable dish.
When you consume 1.5 oz of its 'dried' fruit, you are actually eating a full pound of the 'fresh' fruit. The dried form is also beneficial as it have all necessary fiber, micro nutrients, and vitamin C.
To eat it, simply cut the whole in half then scoop out the flesh with a spoon. You have the to eat or not the skin. Don’t worry with the little black seeds, they can be safely eaten along with the flesh just like the way you eat a kiwi fruit. Where’s sweetest part of the fruit? Its in the middle or center flesh.
You can chop that dragon fruit and toss them in a salad to sweeten it up and for an exotic twist. Puree the fruit and make a dragon fruit sorbet. Or just eat dragon fruit in the best way; eat them fresh bursting with nutrients and flavors!
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