Dragon fruit is the fruit
of a Cactus that is grown in in Southeast Asia, Mexico, Central and South
America, and Israel. It is also known as the Pitaya or Pitahaya,
Dragon Pearl Fruit, Fire Dragon Fruit, Green Dragon, Dragon Fruit and
Strawberry Pear. It is packed with
vitamins, minerals and even the healthy omega acids, which makes this food a
metabolic bargain with a high payoff of nutrition for your body.
The best place to find Dragon Fruit is in Asian and Far Eastern markets
although some high-end supermarkets are starting to offer it.
One of the Prettiest
Superfruits
Dragon Fruit is large, round and rose hip shaped with pink, greensand
yellow tendrils on its side. The
interior flesh is studded with hundreds of tiny seeds that make it look like a
polka-dot fruit. Most weigh in between
three and four pounds.
This fruit is available in three colors. Two varieties have pink skin
but one with white and the other with red skin. The third type is yellow with
white flesh. The type most commonly found in Canadian markets usually has pink
skin.
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| Dragon Fruit |
Dragon fruit also has a lovely fresh taste. It is sweet and crunchy with
taste that is like a cross between a pear and a kiwi. The ripe fruit should have a bit of give when
you press it with your finger, but not be too mushy.
A Nutritional Powerhouse
Dragon fruit is packed with nutrition. One fruit is only 60 calories
with 8 percent of the calories coming from protein. It contains Vitamin C and
is a vegan source of many minerals including phosphorus, calcium, iron and
antioxidants. The pretty fruit is also
an excellent source of fibre, which is helpful for the digestive tract.
As the fruit has a texture similar to watermelon, it is an excellent
source of water. It is a superb diet
food as it contains 15 grams of protein and 1 gram of fat. This makes it a
sustainable choice for people following low calorie diets. It also has traces
of Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Riboflavin and Niacin. It is also one of the few fruits that is high
in polyunsaturated Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids.
This fruit is also super high in cancer, anti-inflammatory and disease
fighting properties called phytoalbumins. These agents help your body excrete
heavy metal toxins. Furthermore it is a highly alkaline fruit, which makes it a
very suitable choice for most people adhering to the Healthy and Active Diet
program.
The Health Benefits of
Dragon Fruit
Aside from being a known weight loss aid because it is low in calories
and high in fibre and protein, this exotic fruit can also help lower blood
sugar, manage cholesterol and control your blood pressure. Special nutritional
constituents in the seeds help improve the way you metabolize
carbohydrates. The flesh of the fruit
itself is very easy to digest because it is a simple carbohydrate. It is an
ideal food for individuals in convalescence to eat.
How to Eat Dragon Fruit
Wash the Dragon Fruit and then cut it in half. You should be able to
slide a spoon or knife around the edge of the flesh and simply unearth it from
the shell. The fruit can then be easily
sliced into cubes. The white flesh of
the Dragon Fruit is quite attractive cut up in cubes because it almost looks
like dice. The red variety is very
exotic looking and looks almost like a raspberry crossed with a watermelon.
For more information about the Healthy & Active Program please
visit our website at www.healthy-active.com. You may also call
us in Toronto at (41) 440-2217 and ask for Adrienne Wright Bulow or Dr. Michael
Rahman or email us at adrienne@healthy-active.com.
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