Dragon Fruit-What Is It?

Dragon fruit is a popular tropical fruit that has become increasingly popular in the market. Many people enjoy it for its interesting taste and health benefits. 

It is grown in tropical and subtropical regions like Asia and Central America. It is loaded with vitamins, fiber, iron, and other nutrients. 

Keep reading to know more about dragon fruit: its taste, benefits, side effects, and more. 

What is Dragon Fruit 

Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit, native to some regions. But over the years, it has grown all over the world. This fruit has many names, including strawberry pear, pitaya, and more. 

Dragon Fruit is available in two varieties: bright red skin with green scales and yellow skin with white pulp and black seeds. Yellow dragon fruit has a sweet and tropical taste. 

Bright red-colored dragon fruit is more common than yellow skin fruit. It usually has white pulp with black seeds, but red pump with black seeds dragon fruit also exists.  

Dragon fruit nutrition: In a 6-ounce serving, you get calories, fat, protein, fiber, sugar, carbohydrates, iron, magnesium, calcium, vitamin C and A. 

How to Use and Eat Dragon Fruit/Strawberry Pear

Whether served cut up, frozen, blended or fruit salad, you must eat dragon fruit in its raw form. But this exotic fruit can also be grilled on skewers along with other fruits like pineapple. 

The fruit’s outer shell might look hard, but it is easy to cut. You can simply put this tropical fruit on the cutting board and use a knife to cut it into two parts. Then you can scoop out the flesh of ripe dragon fruit as its skin is not edible. 

How Does the Red Dragon Fruit Taste?

Although red dragon fruit has an exotic look, it has a familiar taste. Its flavors can be described as a cross between a pear and a kiwi. Coming to the texture, it’s creamy with tiny seeds similar to kiwifruit. Dragon fruit tastes great in salads and well as desserts. When Dragon Fruit is not ripe it is bland or tasteless.

Storing dragon fruit

Ripe dragon fruit can be stored on the counter for a few days. But if you wish to store it for longer, place it in a sealed plastic bag and put it inside the refrigerator. Wrap the fruit properly, as it can pick up the flavors and smell of other food items. 

Avoid cutting unless you want to eat dragon fruit. But if you have cut the red flesh fruit in a larger quantity, don’t hesitate to transfer it to a sealed container and store in the fridge. If the fruit’s flesh turns brown and mushy, throw it away. 

Health Benefits 

Just like other fruits and vegetables, red or pink flesh dragon fruit also offer health benefits: 

Helps Build and Heal Cells 

Dragon fruit has a high amount of vitamin C, essential for good bone structure, muscle, blood vessels, and cartilage. It helps with wound healing and prevents diseases. A balanced level of vitamin C in the body can assist with absorbing iron. 

Our body cannot make vitamin C naturally, so it must be consumed through diet. Thus, consuming a bowl full of dragon fruit is recommended. 

Reduces Inflammation 

Dragon fruit contains flavonoids, which helps with reducing inflammation. It can also help repair cell damage and protect the body from chronic diseases. 

Improve Digestive Health 

Dragon fruit contains fiber, which helps with digestion and maintaining blood sugar levels. A balanced amount of fiber in the body offers many other health benefits, like obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. 

Maintain Blood Sugar 

Regular consumption of dragon fruit is known to help maintain blood sugar. But people with type-2 diabetes might not notice any significant difference in their health after dragon fruit consumption. 

Can Dragon Fruit Help You Lose Weight?

There is no guarantee that dragon fruit can melt the body fat away, but by having healthy diet choices, you can have a slimmer appearance. As dragon fruit has low calories, it can be consumed as a snack. 

Furthermore, the fiber present in dragon fruit helps you feel full. Thus, you don’t develop unhealthy snacking habits. 

Side Effects of Dragon Fruit 

Some people are allergic to tropical dragon fruit. If you also develop any allergic reaction after eating dragon fruit, consult a doctor. 

A common allergic reaction includes: 

• Hives
• Wheezing
• Swelling
• Nausea
• Itchy feeling in the mouth 

Conclusion 

If you have never tried dragon fruit, you should give it a try. It is one of the best tropical fruits with a delicious taste and a unique look. It offers many health benefits, from dragon fruit juice or dragon fruit pulp in a cake, enjoy the many health benefits that dragon fruit has to offer. You can enjoy ripe dragon fruit pulp, add it to your smoothie or enjoy dragon fruit juice. But if you see an allergic reaction, consult a doctor. Whole dragon fruit appears in local fruit and vegetable shops in August and September and pairs deliciously with kiwi fruit, lemon, mango pineapple, strawberries and banana.

You can check dragon fruit recipes online or simply blend dragon fruit with Greek yogurt. It offers antioxidant properties, good gut bacteria, and is good for the immune system.

Whatever the occasion Dragon Fruit not only tastes great but will help you live a long healthy life. Check out our other great guides to improve your harvest and your health.