5 things you should know when eating dragon fruit to avoid harm.
With its abundant nutrients, dragon fruit offers many surprising health benefits, including cancer prevention. However, that doesn't mean you should eat too much of it.
Health benefits of dragon fruit
Dragon fruit is rich in vitamins C, A, B1, B12, E, and potassium, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus, and also contains many beneficial plant compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, betaxanthin, and betacyanins.
According to Dr. Huynh Tan Vu, a specialist at the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City, Branch 3, dragon fruit is a nutrient-rich fruit that is good for health. Few people know that dragon fruit is also a valuable medicine.
Of these, red-fleshed dragon fruit is sweeter and more refreshing than white-fleshed dragon fruit. Red-fleshed dragon fruit also contains more antioxidants such as anthocyanin, vitamin C, and carotene.
Both white-fleshed and red-fleshed dragon fruit are good for health (Photo: Adobestock).
White-fleshed dragon fruit is juicier and less sweet than red-fleshed varieties. Therefore, nutritionists recommend that people with diabetes eat white-fleshed dragon fruit, as it reduces the risk of high blood sugar levels compared to red-fleshed varieties.
White-fleshed dragon fruit has cooling and detoxifying effects, is low in calories, and is suitable for people on a diet. White-fleshed dragon fruit is also cheaper than red-fleshed dragon fruit.
In general, both types of dragon fruit contain antioxidants (polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamin C, etc.) that help prevent cancer, chronic diseases, and boost immunity.
Sharing the same view, Dr. Bui Dac Sang, a general practitioner at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and the Hanoi Traditional Medicine Association of Vietnam, stated that dragon fruit contains a lot of pectin, soluble fiber, and insoluble fiber (cellulose), all of which are effective in preventing and treating constipation, obesity, atherosclerosis, colitis, etc.
Dragon fruit is also a fruit that contains low sugar, is rich in magnesium, many vitamins and minerals, and is low in calories. Therefore, eating dragon fruit regularly is very good for people with diabetes, obese people with internal heat, and those who need to lose weight.
Dragon fruit can help improve cardiovascular health by lowering bad cholesterol levels and increasing good cholesterol. This fruit is rich in monounsaturated fats, which help keep the heart in optimal condition.
Dragon fruit is very high in fiber, which can improve poor digestion and reduce constipation.
According to a study in the Electronic Journal of Biotechnology, dragon fruit is rich in prebiotics that help improve digestion and promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria. This fruit contains oligosaccharides that act as prebiotics, helping to improve digestion and gut health.
The antioxidants in dragon fruit help reduce the effects of free radicals that damage cells in the body. This keeps the skin smooth, supple, and youthful. A dragon fruit mask combined with honey can be used to combat skin aging.
Dragon fruit is also a fruit that contains low sugar, is rich in magnesium, many vitamins and minerals, and is low in calories. Therefore, eating dragon fruit regularly is very good for people with diabetes, obese people with internal heat, and those who need to lose weight.
Things to keep in mind when eating dragon fruit
Dragon fruit is a generally harmless fruit, suitable for many people. However, a very small percentage of people experience allergic reactions to dragon fruit. Some signs of an allergic reaction include swelling of the tongue, nausea and vomiting, and skin rashes.
Eating too much red dragon fruit may cause your urine to turn pink. However, this is nothing to worry about, as your urine will return to its normal color once the dragon fruit has been completely eliminated from your body.
Dr. Vu notes the following points to consider when eating dragon fruit:
- The recommended dosage of dragon fruit for diabetic patients is 2 servings a day, with each serving being approximately 120g.
People who often experience cold stomachs, loose stools, and bloating should not eat dragon fruit.
Women should avoid eating dragon fruit during their menstrual cycle.
- Dragon fruit contains a lot of plant protein, so pregnant women who are prone to allergies should consider this before eating it.
- With red-fleshed dragon fruit, we shouldn't eat too much because it can cause stool and urine to turn dark red.
According to Dr. Vu, in general, dragon fruit is safe for health, delicious, and has a refreshing taste.
