benefits of dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus)

Dragon fruit (UK: pitaya) is the fruit of several cactus species from the genera Hylocereus and Selenicereus. The fruit is native to Mexico, Central America and South America but now cultivated in Asian countries like Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, and Malaysia. Fruit can also be found in Okinawa, Israel, northern Australia and southern China. Hylocereus blooms only at night.


In 1870 this plant was brought from Guyana French people to Vietnam as an ornamental plant. By the Vietnamese and Chinese men is considered a blessing. Therefore, the fruit is always placed between two small green dragon statue on the altar table. Red fruit stand out among the color green dragons. This is the fruit of a habit among the Vietnamese people are very influenced Chinese culture known as the thang Loy (dragon fruit). The term Thang Loy then translated in Europe and other countries who speak English as a dragon fruit (dragon fruit).

varieties


The name refers to the dragon fruit fruit edible plant species:

* Hylocereus undatus, whose fruits are red with white flesh.
* Hylocereus polyrhizus, whose fruits are pink with red fruit flesh.
* Selenicereus megalanthus fruit with yellow skin and white flesh.
* Hylocereus costaricensis, dragon fruit with a very red color of fruit.

The benefits of dragon fruit

Besides the sweet taste refreshing, dragon fruit is rich in benefits. Many people believe this fruit can lower cholesterol and balancing blood sugar. There has been no research on the benefits of this fruit, but because the origin of species believed the dragon fruit cactus fruit contains vitamin C, beta carotene, calcium, and carbohydrates. Dragon fruit contains high fiber as a binder carcinogens cause cancer and accelerate the process of digestion.
Dragon fruit is also nutritious treat cancer, tumors, eye pain, gout, and heart, cure arthritis, balance blood sugar levels, controlling cholesterol, strengthens the kidneys and bones, sharpen vision.
Dragon fruit has beneficial properties for human health such as balancing blood sugar levels, protecting oral health, prevention of colon cancer, reduce cholesterol, preventing bleeding and treating complaints of vaginal discharge.

Dragon fruit has beneficial properties for human health such as balancing blood sugar levels, protecting oral health, prevention of colon cancer, reduce cholesterol, preventing bleeding and treating complaints of vaginal discharge.

Dragon fruit is usually consumed as fresh fruit as relieving thirst, because the dragon fruits contain high water content of about 90% by weight of the fruit. It was pretty sweet because it contains sugar content reaches 13-18 briks. Dragon fruit can also be presented in the form of juice, fruit juice, sweets and jam or various forms of presentation according to your taste.


In general, experts agree and acknowledge the dragon fruit is rich in potassium, ferum, protein, fiber, sodium and calcium is good for health compared to other fruits are imported.

According to AL Leong from Johncola Pitaya Food R & D, an organization that examines the red dragon fruit, cactus fruit is quite rich honey with a variety of vitamins and mineral substances which greatly helped improve the durability and beneficial for metabolism in the human body.

"Research shows the red dragon fruit is excellent for the circulatory system, also gives the effect of reducing the emotional pressures and neutralize toxic in the blood." Research also shows this fruit can prevent colon cancer, in addition to preventing high cholesterol content in the blood and reduce levels of fat in body, "he said.

Overall, each of the red dragon fruit contain adequate protein can increase metabolism and maintain cardiovascular health; fiber (to prevent colon cancer, diabetes and diet); carotene (eye health, strengthen the brain and prevent the entry of the disease), calcium (bone strengthening).

Dragon fruit also contain adequate iron to increase the blood; vitamin B1 (to prevent fever entity); vitamin B2 (add to taste), vitamin B3 (lowers cholesterol) and vitamin C (increase slipperiness, smoothness of skin and prevent acne).


Here is a complete nutritional content of the dragon fruit:

Sugar content: 13-18 briks
Water: 90%
Carbohydrates: 11.5 g
Acid: 0.139 g
Protein: 0.53 g
Fiber: 0.71 g
Calcium: 134.5 mg
Phosphorus: 8.7 mg
Magnesium: 60.4 mg
Vitamin C: 9.4 mg

The following are some of the benefits of dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus)

1. efficacious cholesterol-lowering


2. To balance blood sugar levels, cancer prevention, oral health protective

3. preventing bleeding, vaginal discharge and drug complaints.

4. prevent colon cancer, strengthens bones and kidney function, strengthen the brain power, improve the sharpness of the eyes, as well as cosmetic ingredients.

5. Treating constipation, Treating Hypertension, Softens skin

Smooth Skin

According to Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yusuf experts of traditional Chinese medicine, in Chinese culture the dragon fruit is believed to smooth the skin look more beautiful, but it is not used to treat deadly diseases such as cancer or heart disease. Dragon fruit to combat the heat in because it is cool.

Lowering Blood Sugar Levels

By eating a red dragon fruit (250 grams) every morning and evening for eight consecutive days will lower blood sugar levels in diabetics. During eating dragon fruit should be patient stops taking the rice because rice is a source of sugar for diabetics.



Inhibiting Growth of Tumor Cells

Benefits of the dragon tree is not with the fruit alone but on leaves and fruit leather as well. The results of the SOLS Rosario Vargas Laboratorio de Investigation de Fitofarmacologia Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana Xochimilco Mexico showed that the chloroform extract of leaves of white-fleshed dragon fruit contains compounds taraxast pentacyclic triterpene-20-ene-3a-ol and taraxast-12, 20 (30)-dien-3a-ol. Both compounds were shown to protect the flexibility of blood vessels of rabbits. Researchers estimate the efficacy of both compounds were almost equal troxerutin one micro vascular protective drug on the market. The drug was beneficial to reduce the risk of rupture of blood vessels.


The results of in vitro assays performed Wu Li-chen, a researcher Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University showed that extracts of red-fleshed dragon fruit skin could potentially inhibit the growth of B16F10 tumor cells at doses of 25 grams.

Many open the benefits of dragon fruit, Let us live a healthy life with natural medicine and very tasty.