Thailand is famous for its unusual legends and exotic fruits. One of the ancient Thai parables is connected precisely with the amazing fruit of a fruit plant - pitahaya (pitaya).
In ancient times, there were deadly battles between warriors and dragons. Whenever the winged giant lost and was no longer able to fight, instead of a sizzling flame, a wondrous fruit appeared from his mouth, popularly nicknamed the “heart of the dragon” or the “dragon’s eye.”
What it is?
In different regions of Thailand, the unique fruit is called differently: prickly pear, dragonfruit, kaumangkon, pitahaya and pitaya. According to legend, a fruit unknown in nature was so good that the Thais destroyed all the dragons for its sake. But the plant survived and took root in the warm climate of the mysterious kingdom. And only the scales on the dragon fruits now remind the Thais of the won battles with fire-breathing monsters in the distant past.
According to the scientific description, the pitaya plant belongs to the cactus family. The liana-like wild pitahaya is an epiphytic cactus, widespread in hot Mexico, and also predominant in South and Central America.
The stem of the plant reaches 10 meters in height. It is cultivated in most Asian countries in the Southeast. In addition to Thailand, exotic fruits are grown in the Philippines and Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Japan, Taiwan, Israel, Hawaii, and even in the northern part of Australia.
This amazing plant blooms exclusively at night. In the dark, the large white flowers on pitahaya can be confused with giant moths. The shape of fragrant flowers is characteristic of all plants of the cactus family. The enchanting scent of a blooming dragon seems to spread magic in the air, making the night magical. Fruits on a cactus vine appear in 30-50 days, and this can happen up to 6 times in a year.
The ripe fruit, nicknamed the “heart of the dragon,” looks very unusual in appearance. The weight of one pitaya is from 150 to 600 grams. The size does not exceed a large apple, but the shape is more oblong. The skin color varies from yellow to crimson, depending on the variety of pitahaya. The top of the skin is covered with large scales, which really resemble the skin of a dragon. At the ends of the scales are painted an intense light green color. The fruit looks interesting. Under the dense shell, a creamy consistency of whitish, pinkish or purple flesh is found.
The attractive plant is not only pleasing to the eye, but is also widely used in local medicine to heal cuts and wounds, improve vision, increase appetite, strengthen memory and reduce weight.
The Thais use not only the fruits, but also the stems of the plant for treatment, extracting healing juice from them. If you keep the proportions, it makes an excellent remedy for strengthening the cardiovascular system, a circulatory stimulant, an antispasmodic, and even an anthelmintic.
But before you start treatment, you need to know the specific dosage. Exceeding the dose at one time is dangerous for poisoning.
Taste characteristics
The most popular fruits to eat are yellow, Costa Rican and red pitaya. The size, color of the skin and pulp are not the same, and depend on the variety of tropical fruit.
It is not recommended to “lean into” the fruit with fanaticism. The concentration of nutrients in dragonfruit is quite capable of triggering an allergic reaction. The seeds in the pulp are almost imperceptible to the taste, but difficult to digest, so it is better to chew them thoroughly. At the same time, they contain a lot of lipids and tannin, which is indicated for diabetes mellitus and has a positive effect on vision.
Ripe pitaya fruit is rich in phosphorus, protein, vitamins C and B, beneficial iron, essential calcium, niacin and riboflavin. Eating fruit has a positive effect on the functions of the intestinal tract, cardiovascular and endocrine systems, stops stomach upsets and eliminates flatulence.
Diabetics can enjoy pitaya without fear; on the contrary, the fruit helps normalize sugar levels. And thanks to the calcium in its composition, dragon eye is indispensable in therapeutic nutrition for diseases affecting bones and joints. The same mineral will help strengthen teeth, hair and nails. Regular moderate consumption of fruit rich in vitamin C will strengthen the immune system and help avoid acute respiratory infections in the midst of viral development.
It is also useful for dieting, as it is low in calories. It is well absorbed and does not cause a feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
Nutritional value per 100 g of fruit:
- calorie content – 50 kcal;
- proteins – 5 grams;
- fats – 3 grams;
- carbohydrates – 12 grams.
The color of the pulp does not affect the taste of dragon, which disappoints many with its neutrality. At first glance, it seems that the bright fruit is as rich in taste as it is in color. But the pulp has a slight sweetness and herbaceous taste. The seeds are slightly crunchy on the teeth, but not hard, like the tropical kiwi fruit.
How to eat pitahaya correctly?
In Thailand and the hot countries of Asia, dragon fruit is sold all year round. The dragon fruit plant is now cultivated wherever a tropical climate prevails. Leaders in pitaya harvest: Thailand, China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Varieties with fuchsia-colored pulp and white contents are most often sold in Russia. You can buy them in large supermarkets. The color of the pulp can be easily determined by the appearance of the fruit. The pink and yellow skin with greenish scaled leaves hides white flesh under its shell, and the purple contents of the fruit are usually a rich crimson hue.
You can enjoy the fruit in different ways:
- cut the fruit into two equal parts and serve as a dessert (it is more convenient to eat with a spoon, scooping out all the pulp, right down to the skin);
- cut pitaya into slices and eat without using cutlery;
- Peel the skin like a banana and bite off a piece;
- mix with yogurt or sorbet;
- add to a cocktail with any citrus fruit.
In America, it is popular to prepare dessert with the addition of pitahaya. The fruit is whipped in a blender bowl with condensed milk, almonds and Mascarpone cheese, and eaten for breakfast with toast or used as a dip for biscuits. The Thais have learned to make jam, mousses and sauces from these tropical fruits. Even pitahaya flowers benefit enterprising owners. Tea with the petals of the plant acquires a breathtaking aroma.
The sweetish fruit contains only 50 kilocalories per 100 g of its weight. This means that it can be included in a diet aimed at losing weight without a twinge of conscience. Nutritionists agree with this, who also recommend the fruit to children instead of candy and sweets. But only after three years, given that pitaya is an allergen.
It is better to eat the product fresh, and not after heat treatment, in order to get the maximum benefit from the process, and even quench your thirst. This fruit is a favorite delicacy among the population of long-lived countries, thanks to the microelements, minerals and vitamins in its composition.
The skin of the dragon fruit is not eaten, but is immediately thrown away. It has no benefit or taste. It is easy to separate the shell from the pulp with a knife or pry up the edge and remove the skin, like from a banana.
The contents of the exotic fruit found many fans, but many were not impressed at all. To determine your attitude towards a fruit, you need to personally taste what it tastes and smells like.
In order to buy this fruit, you do not need to go to hot countries or wait for a gift from there. In Russian shopping centers they sell different varieties of pitahaya. Fruits with pink skin are mainly common; those with yellow skin are less common. To taste truly tasty and aromatic dragonfruit, you need to choose a ripe fruit. You can check the ripeness by lightly pressing the shell; if the fruit underneath is soft, it means it is ripe. A pitaya fruit that is hard to the touch will be tasteless, or rather, tasteless. Ripe fruits can be easily peeled by hand.
When buying pitaya, pay attention to the freshness of the fruit. The disadvantage of the product is that the fruits quickly deteriorate, become wrinkled, and are difficult to transport. That is why you should not buy pitahaya in kilograms. An exotic gift from hot countries cannot be stored in the refrigerator for more than three days.
To learn how to eat pitahaya and its beneficial properties, watch the following video.
Pitaya (or pitahaya) is the fruit that ripens after flowering of a climbing cactus native to South and Central America and Mexico. The plant blooms with large and very fragrant white inflorescences, which open only at night. The fruit itself is the size of a large apple but oblong in shape. Weight can reach 600 grams.
The nutritional properties of pitahaya were first discovered by the Indians and Aztecs. The pulp of the fruit was eaten raw, and the seeds were cooked, ground, and then used as a seasoning for stew.
Interesting! According to legend, the first pitaya on earth appeared from the mouth of a fire-breathing dragon. This happened at a time when the beast was near death and could not protect itself from people with flame. And since the warriors really liked its taste, all the dragons were destroyed, and the fruit was called Dragon Fruit, which remains in use today in Eastern countries.
The appearance of the fruit is somewhat reminiscent of dragon scales. The dense peel, bright pink or yellow, covered with small growths, the tips of which have a greenish tint, hides the juicy, almost odorless pulp. The color of the pulp differs depending on the variety - it can be white or red-purple.
Chemical composition
Nutritional value 100 g:
- Calories 50 kcal
- Proteins 5 g
- Fat 3 g
- Carbohydrates 12 g
The benefits of Dragon Fruit are undeniable, since it contains a lot of substances necessary for the health of the human body. Among them are:
- Thiamine (vitamin B1);
- Riboflavin (B2);
- Niacin (B3);
- Minerals: potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iron.
The fruit is quite watery and there are only 50 calories per 100 grams of its pulp. That is why many people use it in the diet menu.
Beneficial features
Pitaya is well digestible, does not cause a feeling of heaviness, helps with gastrointestinal disorders, and eliminates pain. Scientists have also proven that this fruit has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and thyroid gland. People with problems with the cardiovascular and endocrine systems should definitely include it in their diet.
The fruit is also useful for diabetics, as it can normalize blood sugar levels. The calcium in pitaya makes it indispensable for those who suffer from diseases of the joints and bones. Regular consumption of the fruit will help strengthen hair, teeth, and nail plates. The vitamin C content helps strengthen and prevent.
Pitahaya seeds contain tannin, a substance that has a beneficial effect on vision. Of course, it is not able to completely restore vigilance, but with regular use it can slow down the process.
Dragon fruit pulp is also successfully used in cosmetology. Many well-known companies add it to masks, shampoos and creams. Making a toning and strengthening face mask at home is as easy as shelling pears. You just need to clear the pulp from the seeds, mash it and apply it to the skin.
Interesting! Pitaya pulp soothes and restores sunburned skin.
Contraindications and possible harm
Since pitaya is an exotic fruit and unfamiliar to our body, when first consumed it can lead to an allergic reaction in the form of skin rashes. To avoid such consequences, it is recommended to try a small piece and wait a while. However, you shouldn’t be zealous even if you don’t have it - consuming large quantities can lead to diarrhea or heartburn.
Important! Pregnant women and young children are not recommended to eat pitaya due to the same allergic nature of the product.
No other contraindications have yet been identified, but people suffering from chronic diseases should still consult with their doctor before trying pitahaya. The same applies to other exotic fruits.
Pitaya is mostly eaten raw. The fruit is divided into slices, like a melon, or cut in half and scoop out the pulp with a spoon. To choose a high-quality fruit and preserve all its beneficial properties, you need to pay attention to some nuances.
Whatever they call this unusual looking fruit! Pitahaya, pitaya, dragonfruit, dragon fruit, etc. The most famous name is pitahaya. This cosmic fruit does not grow on a tree, nor on a bush, nor on a vine, but on cacti.
The most frequently asked questions about pitahaya
What does pitahaya taste like??
Pale, not clearly expressed, barely perceptible. Although sometimes you come across super-high-quality fruits that are truly sweet. Chilled pitahaya from the refrigerator is especially tasty. It's so light and refreshing! And the taste seems to become brighter after cooling.
What is the consistency of pitahaya??
There is something similar to kiwi, only kiwi is even softer. And they even have the same seeds - many small edible black seeds, exactly like kiwis.
What is the flavor of pitahaya??
Almost no smell.
How to choose pitahaya?
Ripe pitahaya should be slightly soft when pressed (evenly throughout the fruit). At the same time, there should be no dents or rotten areas on it, pay attention to this. And also, the burgundy the peel, the better - usually such fruits are sweeter.
How to clean and eat pitahaya?
There are several options for cutting, cleaning and eating pitahaya:
1) Just peel the fruit, much like a banana, and then just bite into the pulp, like an apple:
2) Cut the pitahaya in half, and then eat each half, removing the peel:
3) Cut the pitahaya into 4 parts, hold on to the peel and eat the pulp:
4) Make cuts only along the peel (in the form of a cross), without cutting through the flesh, then remove the skin along them, as if opening a flower bud:
Is it possible to taste and love pitahaya the first time??
This is one of the few tropical fruits that everyone likes immediately, from the very first try. It happened to me too, I tried pitahaya in China and fell in love with it. But then I switched to and fell out of love with this fruit; it began to seem bland to me compared to all other fruits. I fell in love with it again after another 3.5 years - I tried delicious pitahaya in Vietnam.
Where does it grow the most??
In and Vietnam. In Indonesia and Malaysia there is little pitahaya; in the Philippines it is all imported.
In which country does pitahaya taste better??
In Vietnam.
Pitahaya season?
Fruits all year round. In Thailand, for example, there are plenty of pitahayas in absolutely every month of the year.
Calorie content of pitahaya?
This is a very light and juicy fruit, low in calories, only 39 kcal per 100 g.
What effect does it have on the body??
Pitahaya is poorly digestible and almost always causes diarrhea.
Varieties and types of pitahaya
There are 3 main varieties of pitahaya: pink with white flesh, pink with raspberry flesh and yellow with white flesh. Color is not the only difference between them; they also differ in taste. The most common is pink pitahaya with white flesh. In second place is with raspberry pulp. In third place is yellow pitahaya.
Yellow Pitahaya:
Classic, most common pitahaya:
Pitahaya or Dragon Fruit, popular all over the world due to its attractive shell and pleasant aroma, is the fruit of a vine-shaped climbing cactus. This plant was originally found in South and Central America, but is now grown in the suitable climates of Southeast Asia: Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia. Pitahaya, which has many other names, is used to prepare exotic dishes, delicious desserts and drinks.
Pitahaya fruit
The Aztecs knew about dragonfruit. The cactus grows abundantly in Mexico, and the Indians soon discovered that it was suitable for food. They even used the seeds, roasting them, grinding them, and using them as food additives. Pitahaya has many names: prickly pear (although the surface of the fruit is not prickly at all), pitaya, dragonfruit, other “nicknames” of the fruit are also associated with fire-breathing.
The Dragon's Eye fruit is unusual in both taste and appearance. The size of the fruit is comparable to a large apple; it is covered with a dense skin that forms curved scales with greenish tips. On average, dragon fruit weighs about 500 grams, but sometimes it reaches one kilogram and comes in different varieties. Growing the plant is possible at home. The harvest after flowering can be harvested after a month.
The fruit of the plant is easy to cut, the pulp comes in different colors and contains black seeds that look like dots. There are several varieties that differ in skin color. Often found is the red pitahaya, which has a red skin and white and pink flesh. The fruit has a slightly bland and herbaceous taste, reminiscent of kiwi and banana. Costa Rican pitahaya has the same red color of flesh and shell. Less common is a fruit with yellow skin. This pitahaya variety has white, aromatic flesh.
Dragonfruit can be almost tasteless. A fresh and ripe pitahaya fruit should have tender flesh. The Indians believed that the Dragon Heart fruit absorbed the fiery power of this mythical creature. Anyone who eats pitahaya pulp receives part of the power of the flying monster, gains courage and power. Modern research in some ways confirms this. It was possible to find out that the substances contained in the pulp of the fruit have a beneficial effect on the activity of the heart and gastrointestinal tract.
Biochemical composition
Pitahaya is recognized as a dietary product. 100 g of pulp contains approximately 50 kcal, as well as fats (0.1─0.58 g), ash (0.5 g), proteins (0.52 g), fiber (0.35─0.9 g), carbohydrates (10─13.5 g), water (up to 90 g). The pitahaya fruit contains a large amount of vitamin C (from 5 mg to 25 mg), which helps strengthen the body's immune system. Dragonfruit pulp contains antioxidants that can fight aging. The fruit of the plant contains iron (0.35 mg to 0.69 mg), phosphorus (from 15.5 mg to 35 mg), calcium (6 mg to 9.5 mg), potassium (110 mg to 115 mg). Contains B3 vitamins (from 0.2 mg to 0.4 mg).
Beneficial features
The Dragon Eye fruit is amazingly beneficial for the human body. The pulp contains a lot of liquid and small seeds, which can cause diarrhea to naturally cleanse the intestines. Cactus fruit is considered a good remedy for bloating. The seeds contain tannin, which has a beneficial effect on vision, and other components contribute to the normal functioning of the heart and endocrine system.
Pitahaya is an amazing fruit; its properties reduce blood glucose levels and normalize blood sugar in diabetics. Due to its low calorie content, dragonfruit often appears in diets, allowing you to get enough without fat. The cactus fruit has properties that help eliminate toxins and normalize intestinal function. Pitahaya is used in the cosmetics industry.
Contraindications
Like any exotic fruit, pitahaya requires caution when consumed. An excess of fruit leads to flatulence and heartburn. An individual allergic reaction to the fetus is also possible. If this is your first time trying sweet pitaya fruit, start with small portions. It is better not to give pitahaya to children, as it can cause diathesis. In adults, the pulp may cause diarrhea.
How to eat dragon fruit
There are several ways to get to the delicious pitahaya pulp. How to do this can be seen in the photo or video at the end of the text. Dragonfruit is peeled before consumption, then peeled by grasping and pulling on the curved scales. The pitahaya pulp can be eaten like an apple or cut into slices, as is done with an orange or melon. There is a method when the fruit is cut vertically in half and the pulp is scooped out with a spoon. It must be remembered that the skin is inedible.
Dish recipes
Fruit salad
Cooking time: 10-15 minutes.
Number of servings: 2 persons.
Calorie content of the dish: 475 kcal
Cuisine: Asian.
The pulp of exotic fruits will not burden this salad, giving it lightness and Asian sourness in the hot summer. The recipe is simple, and should also be adopted by housewives who suddenly have guests over. You can surprise with sophistication, spending a minimum of time. Salad with pitahaya is suitable for those who are losing weight, because it contains only fruits and honey, and the calorie content of the dish is pleasing.
Ingredients:
- red pitaya - 1 piece;
- mango - 1 pc.
For the sauce:
- juice of 1 orange;
- honey - 1 teaspoon.
Cooking method:
- Carefully remove the white pulp of the pitahaya by cutting the fruit lengthwise. Cut into cubes.
- Peel the mango skin. Cut into cubes.
- Stir, place the pieces into the empty dragon fruit skin.
- Pour the sauce over the salad, for which mix orange juice, honey, sugar syrup.
Fruit salad
Cooking time: 10 minutes.
Number of servings: 4 persons.
Calorie content of the dish: 870 kcal
Purpose: lunch, dinner, dessert.
Cuisine: Asian.
Difficulty of preparation: easy.
This pitahaya salad has many different ingredients that are not so safe for your figure. Sour cream and nuts are healthy, but are not dietary products. The salad is easy to prepare, the Asian fruit looks harmonious with a sauce of sour cream and nuts, and what a healthy dish: vitamins, proteins, microelements in one plate. Worth a note for pitahaya lovers.
Ingredients:
- yellow pitahaya - 2 pieces;
- vanilla sugar - a bag;
- sour cream - 150 g;
- nuts (preferably hazelnuts) - 50 g.
Cooking method:
- Cut the pitahaya pulp into cubes.
- Pour over the sauce, which is made from sour cream with the addition of vanilla sugar and chopped nuts.
Cooking time: 2-3 hours.
Number of servings: 4 persons.
Calorie content of the dish: 230 kcal.
Purpose: for dessert.
Cuisine: Asian.
Difficulty of preparation: easy.
Sorbet is a light variation on the ice cream theme. Fruit puree or pulp is frozen and served as a dessert in bowls. To prepare pitahaya sorbet, the traditional recipe is preserved: water, sugar and lemon juice are present. This icy delicacy, which is so refreshing in the hot summer, is so harmonious with a secret Asian ingredient that will refresh and invigorate, reminiscent of the tropics and paradise islands of Thailand.
Ingredients:
- pitahaya – 2 pieces;
- cold water - 3/4 cup;
- lemon juice - 1 tablespoon;
- cane sugar - 2 tablespoons.
Cooking method:
- Puree the pitahaya pulp in a blender.
- Add water, lemon juice and sugar.
- Freeze the delicious juice and serve the sorbet in pitahaya peel.
Video
Do you love fruits and would like to try some exotic fruit? In that case, we bring to your attention dragon fruit. And let me assure you that it is not an invention from an oriental fairy tale, but a real-life fruit. We'll tell you more about its origins later, but before we do, we want to highlight that dragon fruit has numerous health benefits that you didn't even know about. At least we know at least 27 incredible benefits of this fruit. If you are interested, then you will like this article!
What kind of fruit is pitaya?
The scientific name of the fruit is hylocereus undatus. It belongs to the family of climbing epiphytic liana-like cacti. Country of origin: South America. Other names for the overseas fruit: pitaya, night blooming echinocereus, strawberry pear and queen of the night.
Pitaya or dragon fruit as it is also known is native to South America. Over time, its cultivation spread to Southeast Asia. This fruit is common in the countries of China, Thailand and Vietnam. Dragon fruit gets its name from its skin, which looks like the skin of a yellow or red dragon, with green scales.
Despite its availability all over the world, pitaya is not easy to find in Russian supermarkets. Meanwhile, her popularity is gaining momentum. The fruit is usually found in tropical and subtropical regions. Dragon fruit is one of those exotic fruits that has many benefits for skin, hair and health.
Dragon fruit
If you look closely at this fruit, it will become clear why it received the name dragon fruit. The peel is similar in color and scales to the Chinese dragon - red, yellow and green.
The uniqueness of this fruit from the cactus family lies in the fact that pitaya flowers bloom for a very short time and, as a rule, fade by morning. They can safely rely on nocturnal pollinators - bats and moths. Even though the flower dies, the plant bears fruit approximately six times a year. The peak season is in summer and early autumn.
What varieties of pitaya are there and what does this fruit taste like?
There are basically two varieties of this incredible fruit: white-fleshed and red-fleshed (red dragon fruit). Both of these varieties can have red or yellow peel color (this makes them slightly similar to pineapples). Inside is a cluster of small, black, edible seeds, and the fruit itself tastes like a cross between kiwi and pear, but with a crunchy texture.
Useful substances in the composition
This fruit has a huge amount of phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals. He's rich
- antioxidants,
- vitamin C,
- polyunsaturated fatty acids,
- carotene
- and protein.
Dragon fruit contains very little complex carbohydrates and thiamine, which help in breaking down food in the body. Pitaya also has phytochemical captin, which plays an important role in maintaining heart health.
What's good about dragon fruit?
The benefits of dragon fruit for skin, hair and health are widespread. Now you will find out what is good about this non-standard fruit, unlike other fruits.
Beneficial properties of pitaya for skin
This strange-looking fruit is the solution to all skin problems. It helps treat severe sunburn and acne and leaves your skin looking beautiful and healthy like never before.
The healing effects you will experience from including dragon fruit in your daily skin care diet:
-
Fights signs of aging
Wrinkles, sagging and loss of skin firmness are all signs that appear as skin begins to age. This life stage may lead you to start looking for solutions to skin problems among cosmetics that are not always available and have their own disadvantages.
So why subject your skin to chemicals when there is a natural and inexpensive remedy?
Aging is caused by cellular damage caused by free radicals found in the body. However, this process does not happen in one day, so you should not worry too much in advance. Nobody wants to look older than they actually are. An excellent way to prevent premature aging is pitaya and its natural ingredients.
This exotic fruit is a rich source of antioxidants that help fight free radicals and slow down the aging process. This helps the skin look younger and smoother.
To make your skin firm and get rid of wrinkles, you can use this mask weekly.
Ingredients: 1/2 dragon fruit, 1 tablespoon yogurt.
Preparation:
Using a spoon, scrape out the dragon fruit pulp and make a smooth paste.
Add yogurt to the mixture
Apply to face and neck, leave for 20 minutes.
Rinse with warm water, pat dry with a soft towel.
It is advisable to repeat this process once a week for two months to get rid of the signs of aging.
-
Treats acne
Acne is a consequence of oily skin, which usually occurs in the first years of puberty, but sometimes accompanies a person even until the age of thirty. This problem brings irritation and discomfort, but you should not give up, but think about the possibility of resolving this issue.
The solution is an exotic fruit that, when applied topically, can reduce acne. This is facilitated by the abundance of vitamin C in pitaya.
So, here's how you can use this amazing fruit in your fight against acne.
What you will need: 1/4 pitaya fruit, 3-4 cotton pads
What to do:
Scoop out the dragon fruit pulp with a spoon and mash until smooth using a fork.
Using a cotton pad, blot the affected area. When using the mass elsewhere, it is better to use a fresh cotton pad to avoid spreading bacteria.
Leave for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Do not wipe your face, but let it dry on its own.
To get rid of acne, you need to repeat this procedure twice a week.
-
Soothes tanned skin
Swimming in the hot open sun without wearing sunscreen can cause severe burns and blisters. In such cases, a pitaya-based remedy can help soothe redness and inflammation.
As mentioned, dragon fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamins E and C have been scientifically proven to protect the skin from UV rays and soothe sunburn.
Ingredients: 1/4 strawberry pear fruit, 1 capsule of vitamin E.
What need to do:
Using a spoon, scrape out the dragon fruit pulp and mash with a fork until smooth.
Puncture vitamin E capsules and add it to fruit puree.
Apply the mixture to the tanned area. For best effect, leave for 30 minutes.
Rinse off with cold water. Do not wipe your face, but let it dry.
Use every two days until symptoms subside.
-
Promotes healthy skin
Achieving healthy and glowing skin is no longer a difficult task. It is important to watch what you eat, exercise more, and then you will notice changes in yourself.
Adding pitaya to your diet can also do a lot of good for your skin.
A great start to the day would be a glass of pitaya juice. It will not only make you healthy, but will also help rid your body of toxins, thereby making your skin glowing.
This fruit contains a lot of antioxidants, which perfectly cleanse the body of free radicals and get rid of sagging and dull skin. Additionally, dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C, which helps brighten the skin.
-
Provides essential hydration to dry skin
Dragon fruit also has an incredibly high water content (as much as 90%). Liquid is important as it provides hydration to the skin, especially if it is too dry.
It is for this reason that it is worth including pitaya in your diet, especially in winter, when the skin is most susceptible to dryness.
Beneficial properties of pitaya for hair
It's not easy to achieve and maintain strong, healthy hair. New hair care brands appear on the market quite often. In pursuit of the best product, repeated frequent experiments can harm the health of your hair. Strawberry pear will be a wonderful, natural hair care product. Moreover, this product is available to everyone, since it is many times cheaper than cosmetic products from well-known brands.
Health Benefits of Pitaya
After the topic of beauty, we can’t help but talk about health. In theory, this topic should be covered first, since health is the most important. But the health benefits of this fruit are much greater than those for hair, so we decided to start with less.
So, let's not beat around the bush, but let's start looking at the health benefits of pitaya. We can say with great confidence that after familiarizing yourself with the positive qualities of the fruit, you will love it even more.
-
Reduces cholesterol levels
What do you think is the most common disease today?
Any guesses? Here's a hint: it has to do with lifestyle and poor food choices.
This is high cholesterol. Most likely, you will not be at all surprised if we tell you that more than 39% of the world's population suffers from this disease. Among the male population, about 40% of people are susceptible to this disease; among women there are more of them. High cholesterol is responsible for about 2.6 million deaths annually.
Sounds scary, doesn't it?
But don't worry, certain lifestyle changes, including including some fruits and vegetables in your diet, can help you get rid of this condition. Dragon fruit is one such healthy food.
Night-blooming Echinocereus can lower cholesterol levels, but this does not mean that it completely eliminates all fats. In fact, some fats are simply necessary for the normal functioning of the body, just like unsaturated fats. Dragon fruit seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fats, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which help lower cholesterol levels.
All this, plus the mass of antioxidants in pitaya, make the fruit a good remedy for combating high cholesterol.
-
Helps with stomach diseases
This unique fruit can help treat certain stomach ailments such as indigestion and constipation. And it will do it without harm to you.
Dragon fruit is rich in fiber and contains a lot of water, making it beneficial for people suffering from constipation. The fruits help improve intestinal motility, promoting the proper passage of digested food through the intestinal tract. Its fibers also help normalize stool and help in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of intestinal motility and pain in the lower abdomen. What are the symptoms of this disease, how to diagnose and treat it yourself?
. -
Reduces blood sugar levels
Another terrible disease after high cholesterol is diabetes. Fluctuations in blood sugar levels force a person to make serious sacrifices - giving up sugar and living on a carbohydrate-free diet. If you have a sweet tooth, this will be an even more difficult challenge for you.
Luckily, there are several fruits that help keep your blood sugar levels normal so you can enjoy life without any restrictions.
Some studies have found that dragon fruit helps regulate blood sugar levels in diabetics.
What benefits does pitaya have for diabetes?
Everything is very simple. Dragon fruit is a source of polyphenols, carotenoids, thiols, tocopherols and glucosinolates, which help lower blood sugar levels. In addition, fruits contain a lot of fiber, which helps suppress the spikes in sugar levels that occur after every high glycemic index meal.
-
Improves cardiovascular health
Eating dragon fruit can help keep your heart healthy.
Firstly, pitaya on the menu normalizes cholesterol levels. It also controls oxidative damage caused by free radicals and reduces arterial stiffness, which reduces the risk of heart attack (discussed in the previous point).
In addition, this fruit is rich in monosaturated fats, which is very important for maintaining a healthy heart.
-
Reduces the risk of low hemoglobin
Anemia is a common condition among women that should never be ignored. Fluctuations in hemoglobin levels and their decrease to a critical level can lead to kidney failure. Dragon fruit is a great way to prevent anemia.
Strawberry pear is rich in iron, containing 8% of the daily value. In addition, pitaya contains a lot of vitamin C, which increases the body's ability to absorb iron. So, don’t wait, but rather go and check out the incredible benefits of this fruit for yourself.
-
Helps manage weight
This point will be especially interesting for those losing weight.
Everyone knows that when you change your diet and diet, taste preferences change. Obviously, it is very important to stick to one or two diets throughout the entire weight loss period. But the majority cannot adhere to an unusual regime for a long time. The reason for this can be explained in two words – boring and monotonous.
You can diversify your boring diet with dragon fruit or dragon fruit tea.
In addition to the fact that this fruit is delicious, it has a significantly low calorie content - 60 kcal per 100 grams. This makes it an ideal replacement for a regular fruit diet. In addition, this fruit is approximately 90% water and contains a large amount of fiber. This property gives a feeling of fullness for a long period, thereby preventing overeating.
-
Prevents cancer
It may seem quite fantastic, but studies have shown that pitaya has the ability to inhibit the proliferation of dangerous cancer cells.
Dragon fruit is rich in an enzyme called lycopene, in addition to vitamin C and carotene, which have anti-carcinogenic properties. Together, these substances help prevent the formation of tumors.
In addition, the peel of the fruit contains polyphenols and chemicals that can protect against certain types of cancer.
-
Prevents congenital glaucoma
A study found that consuming dragon fruit may help prevent congenital glaucoma.
Strawberry pear has the ability to suppress human cytochrome P450. The protein is usually found in the liver, and may help the normal functioning of the lungs and kidneys. This protein is also associated with the ability to prevent congenital glaucoma.
-
Boosts immunity
Pitaya is characterized by a high content of vitamin C, hence its ability to improve immunity.
Dragon fruit also helps stimulate the activity of other antioxidants. The presence of several essential and strong vitamins and minerals such as niacin, vitamin B1, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, iron makes it an effective remedy against any bacterial and viral attacks.
-
Helps relieve arthritis pain
Arthritis is often accompanied by severe pain, irritation and limited mobility. All these unpleasant symptoms arise due to the direct effect of arthritis on the joints. Fortunately, some fruits and vegetables can help combat these ailments, including the fruit that is the focus of this article.
Strawberry pear has great potential in relieving arthritic pain. This is due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the overseas fruit.
If you want to say goodbye to arthritic pain as soon as possible, include this amazing fruit in your daily diet.
-
Useful during pregnancy
Expectant mothers should definitely include dragon fruit in their menu.
We have prepared a long list of benefits of pitaya during pregnancy:
This fruit contains iron necessary for the production of red blood cells (erythrocytes). Currently, an alarming trend is the following fact: six out of ten women experience anemia during pregnancy. Dragon fruit, with its high iron content, will be a good way to get rid of low hemoglobin levels. This is important not only for the woman, but also for the growing fetus, since red blood cells play a big role in delivering the oxygen and nutrients the baby needs.
Now about carbohydrates. The expectant mother needs a lot of carbohydrates to provide the necessary energy boost.
Another important requirement for pregnant women is folic acid. This vitamin, in addition to helping in the formation of red blood cells, helps prevent the baby from neural tube defects.
Having high fiber content helps prevent common digestive problems during pregnancy.
Judging by the above benefits, dragon fruit is a great idea for expectant mothers. Don't you think so?
-
Prevents kidney disease and bone disease
This particular disease is associated with kidney failure, which causes the bones to become weak and brittle. This occurs because weak kidneys and the renal system cannot activate vitamin D to absorb calcium, which is most important for maintaining bone strength.
Loading...