Why Are Dragon Fruits Gaining Popularity in the USA?
Dragon fruits have grown very popular in the US as a superfood in the last several years. This unusual fruit has caught the attention of both health nuts and foodies, from colourful smoothie bowls on Instagram to lists of foods that nutritionists recommend. Dragon-fruits are healthy and beautiful, with bright pink or yellow skin and green scales.
But what sets dragon-fruits apart from all the other health foods on the market? Dragon-fruits are full of nutrients that can help with digestion, enhance immunity, promote heart health, and even make your skin glow. They also look and taste excellent.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover all you need to know about dragon-fruits, from their amazing health benefits and nutritional value to useful advice on how to use them in your meals. Dragon-fruits might quickly become your favourite snack if you care about your health or are just interested in trying new foods.
Table of Contents
Dragon-fruits are a superfood with surprising health benefits.
1. Full of antioxidants that fight free radicals
Dragon-fruits are full of antioxidants such as betalains, hydroxycinnamates, and flavonoids. These chemicals help get rid of free radicals that can hurt cells and lead to long-term problems, including cancer and heart disease. The World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences presented a study that shows how powerful dragon-fruit’s antioxidant properties are at reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
2. Good for your digestive health
One of the best things about dragon fruits is that they are high in fibre. Fibre is very important for keeping your digestive system healthy since it helps you have regular bowel movements and stops you from being constipated. Dragon-fruit is an excellent alternative for people who want to naturally maintain gut health because each 100-gram serving has about 3 grammes of fibre.
3. Makes the immune system stronger
Dragon fruits are full of vitamins and minerals that improve the immune system, especially vitamin C. One serving can give you up to 9% of the required daily amount of this important vitamin. Vitamin C helps the body make white blood cells, which is the first line of defence against infections. Also, the iron in dragon fruits helps the blood carry oxygen, which helps the immune system even more.
4. Good for your heart
Dragon fruits may also help your heart by lowering your cholesterol levels. The seeds inside dragon fruits are full of healthful lipids, such as omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids, according to research. These good fats can help lower LDL cholesterol levels and raise HDL cholesterol levels, which is good for your heart health.
5. Helps Keep Blood Sugar Levels Stable
Dragon-fruits have a low glycaemic index, which means they may help control blood sugar levels. A 2017 study published in PLOS ONE found that eating dragon-fruit might help people with prediabetes better control their blood sugar. But when adding any fruit to a diabetic diet, moderation is still important.
6. It improves the health of the skin.
Dragon-fruits might help you get skin that looks young and healthy. Their vitamin C level helps the body make collagen, which makes skin more flexible and less wrinkled. This fruit also keeps your skin hydrated from the inside out.
7. Possible Cancer-Fighting Properties
More research is needed, but early studies show that the antioxidants and polyphenols in dragon-fruits may help protect against some cancers by stopping cancer cells from growing. Healthline talks about this intriguing area of research, although it’s still in its early phases.
How to Enjoy Dragon-Fruits: Tasty Ways to Include This Superfood in Your Diet
If you’ve never had dragon fruit before, you’re in for a treat. It has a moderate, somewhat sweet taste that makes it quite useful. Here are several delicious ways to eat dragon-fruits:
1. New and raw.
Just split the dragon fruit in half and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh. It’s a cool, low-calorie snack that tastes excellent on its own.
2. Juices and smoothies
For a tropical smoothie, mix dragon-fruit with banana, pineapple, and coconut water. The bright colour also makes the smoothie bowl with nuts and seeds on top look good.
3. Salads
Cut up dragonfruit and put it in fruit salads or mixed green salads to add colour and flavour. Add lime, mint, and feta cheese to it for a tasty contrast.
4. Sweets
Dragon-fruits are delicious in sorbets, ice creams, and even vegan cheesecakes. They have a mild sweetness that lets them mix well without taking over other tastes.
5. Tasty Foods
Some imaginative cooks are adding dragon-fruit to salsas and grilled fish dishes to give them a fruity flavour.
Some background information: The History of Dragon-Fruits
Central America is the origin of dragon-fruits, also known as ‘pitaya’ or ‘pitahaya’. They are currently grown all across Southeast Asia, Mexico, and some parts of the United States, especially California and Florida.
There are three primary types:
Hylocereus undatus has white flesh and pink skin.
The flesh of Hylocereus costaricensis is red, and the skin is pink.
Hylocereus megalanthus has white flesh and yellow skin.
These fruits grow on cacti and need warm, sunny weather to grow well. This makes them ideal for tropical and subtropical areas.
How to Choose and Store Dragon Fruits for the Best Results
When you choose dragon fruits:
The skin should be bright and even, with no spots or imperfections.
A little softness, similar to that of a ripe avocado, indicates ripeness.
Avoid fruits that are too soft or shrivelled.
Tips for storage:
You can keep dragon-fruits that haven’t been chopped at room temperature for up to three days.
After cutting, store in an airtight container in the fridge and eat within two days for the greatest taste and freshness.
Cultural Importance: Dragon-Fruits in Folklore and Traditions
In some cultures, dragon-fruits are quite important. Because they look bright and lucky, they are typically put on altars as offerings during religious events in Vietnam and Thailand.
The fruit is a sign of good luck and prosperity in Chinese culture, and it is often offered at New Year’s celebrations. These customs show that the fruit is valuable not just as a healthy meal but also as a cultural asset.
Conclusion: Include dragon-fruits in your healthy lifestyle.
Dragon-fruits are more than just a trendy meal; they are full of nutrients that can help with many things, like digestion, immunity, heart health, and skin health. There are many ways to eat dragon-fruits as part of a healthy diet because they are so versatile in the kitchen and taste delicious.
Why not get a dragon-fruit the next time you go supermarket shopping? Your body and taste buds will be grateful.
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