Dragon Fruit Nutrition Facts

Dragon fruits are widely consumed in Asian countries like Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. They are also popular in Mexico and in central and South America. The other name for dragon fruit is Pitaya or Pitahaya. Dragon fruit is obtained from several cactus species, but the most important is the one obtained from the genus Hylocereus (sweet pitayas). Hylocereus or sweet pitayas come with a creamy pulp and a delicate aroma. The noteworthy fact about Hylocereus is that it blooms only at night and the large white fragrant flowers are really very beautiful. The flower is called "Moon-Flower" or "Queen of the Night".

Regular consumption of fresh or dried dragon fruit helps maintain the health. Dragon fruit comes in three varieties - red skin with red flesh (widely considered to be the best-tasting), red skin with white flesh and yellow skin with white flesh. The fruit roughly looks like a football. It has a leathery, leafy red skin. The fruit can weigh from 150-600 grams. Dragon fruit is mildly sweet and is best served cold. To eat it, you should simply cut it in half, and then, scoop out the flesh with a spoon. The skin may not be eaten. The little black seeds can be eaten along with the flesh, just like a kiwi fruit. The middle of the fruit is the sweetest part of the fruit. As you are interested in knowing dragon fruit nutrition facts, here follows the required information.

Dragon Fruit Nutrition Information

• Dragon fruits are rich in antioxidants. They help prevent the formation of carcinogenic free-radicals.
• Dragon fruits (especially red-skinned pitayas) are packed with vitamin C. Vitamin C ensures fast healing of bruises and cuts and helps improve the function of the immune system.
• Vitamin B2 acts as a multivitamin and helps improve your appetite.
• Vitamin B1 plays an important role in the production of energy as it promotes metabolism of carbohydrates.
• Vitamin B3 lowers bad cholesterol level and enhances the appearance of the skin by making it moist and smooth.
• The seeds of the fruit contain high polyunsaturated fatty acids.
• Dragon fruits help get rid of heavy metal toxins from the body.
• They help lower cholesterol and high blood pressure.
• Dragon fruit works great for asthma and cough.
• Carotene obtained from the fruits helps maintain and improve the health of the eyes.
• Proteins from the fruit help enhance metabolic processes in the body.
• The fruit serves as a food substitute for rice, especially for the diabetics.
• Dragon fruit can be used as cosmetic and health material, as it improves eyesight and prevents hypertension.
• It is a good material for beverages, delicious vegetable dishes, as it comes with high nutrition, low heat and vitamin C.
• Dragon fruit can be cultivated easily. Dragon fruit plant has strong roots and is good at water conserving. It is also good at heat and drought resisting. So growing dragon fruit plants is quite easy and economical.
• An additional function of the trees is to protect the environment by absorbing CO₂ and releasing oxygen. Thus, they help purify the air.
• Dragon fruits are rich in minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus. Calcium reinforces bones and helps in the formation of healthy teeth. Phosphorus aids in tissue formation.
• These fruits are low in calories and high in fiber. They help avoid constipation by acting as natural laxatives. They help improve the overall digestive health of a person. Fiber from the fruits enhances the process of digestion and helps control accumulation of fats.

Dragon Fruit Nutrition Facts

The typical nutritional value per 100 g of dragon fruit is as follows:

• Fiber 0.9 g
• Calcium 8.8 g
• Fat 0.61 g
• Carotene 0.012 g
• Niacin 0.430 mg
• Phosphorus 36.1 mg
• Ascorbic Acid 9.0 mg
• Protein 0.229 g
• Water 83.0 g
• Ashes 0.68 g
• Iron 0.65 mg
• Riboflavin 0.045 mg

Consumption of 1.5 oz of a 'dried' dragon fruit, equates to almost eating a full pound of the 'fresh' dragon fruit. It is beneficial as it contains all necessary and important micro nutrients, fiber and vitamin C. This was all about the dragon fruit nutritional value. Here follows the information on dragon fruit calories.

Dragon Fruit Calories

As seen above, dragon fruit is low in calories. 100 gm of 1 tropical dragon fruit contains about 60 calories. So it can be included in weight loss diets.

I hope the information about dragon fruit nutrition facts helps you make way for the new, aptly named super fruit, the dragon fruit! Dragon fruit is the latest entrant to the world of super fruits.