Pitaya or dragon fruit to delay aging, a healthy immune system, and strong teeth and bones

If you like fruits and want to know about their nutritional properties, in this article we are going to focus on a very special tropical fruit: dragon fruit or pitahaya. We tell you what are the most exceptional qualities of this fruit with such an original and characteristic appearance and other curious facts about it.

What is pitaya or dragon fruit? 

The pitaya , also known by other names like pitahaya , picajón , yaurero , warakko , fruit of the dragon or dragon fruit is a fruit native to Central America as well as other foods like tomato , the pineapple , rambutan, cassava , the cacao , papaya , corn , passion fruit , mango , jocote, avocado or cashew, among other examples.

The pitahaya in particular belongs to the botanical family of Cactaceae . Who would say that a cactus can produce such tasty and healthy fruits! Right? .

This fruit is oval in shape, has thorns on the outside and you can find three varieties of pitahaya :

• Yellow on the outside and white pulp with black seeds
• Red on the outside and white pulp with black seeds
• Red on the outside and also red pulp with black seeds .

Dragon fruit is very aromatic and the taste of its pulp is sweet and pleasant. It is also essential to highlight its excellent nutritional value .

Do you want to know the properties of the dragon fruit ? Well, below we will tell you what pitaya is good for and what are the benefits that this fruit can offer us to help us take care of our health.

Nutritional properties of the Pitaya or dragon fruit

Pitaya contains, among others, antioxidants, mucilage, ascorbic acid and phenols.

This fruit is rich in Vitamin C , also contains vitamins of group B (B1 or thiamine as, B3 or niacin and riboflavin B2 or), minerals such as calcium , phosphorus , iron ,.

As a good fruit, the pitaya has a high water content and has vegetable protein and fiber .

The pitahaya seeds , which are edible, contain beneficial fatty acids (such as Omega 3 ). To take advantage of them, crush or grind the seeds so that you can take advantage of the good fats.

Pitahaya has antitumor, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action.

Benefits and medicinal uses of Pitahaya, pitaya or dragon fruit

Delays cellular aging

Strengthens the immune system

Stimulates the production of white and red blood cells and platelets

May prevent arteriosclerosis (hardening of the blood vessel wall)

Help us regulate intestinal transit

Helps reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack

The seeds have a laxative effect

Helps us prevent kidney stones

Helps to inhibit tumor cell growth

Regulates blood sugar level (glycemia)

The pitahaya is a satiating fruit

Stimulates collagen production

Improves iron absorption (essential to prevent or combat iron deficiency anemia )

Excellent for the formation of bones and diets .

Reduces uric acid or gout levels

Being rich in water and low in carbohydrates, its consumption is excellent for people on a diet to lose weight or who have diabetes .

The infusion of the pitahaya leaves relieve headaches , improve insomnia, anxiety and nervous conditions.

How to eat pitaya or dragon fruit

You can eat it fresh like any other fruit.

Take the pitahaya and cut it in half widthwise or lengthwise. The pulp is scooped out and the seeds (which are tiny like those of a kiwi ) are also eaten.

It is common to prepare pitaya water. The recipe to prepare pitahaya water is very simple and quick to prepare:

• To a liter of water you add 100 grams of sugar, the juice of half a lemon and the pulp of a pitaya.
• Everything is blended well, filtered and refrigerated before drinking.

This excellent fruit can be incorporated into the preparation of different cooking recipes , such as homemade smoothies and ice creams.

It is also used to make jam and compotes.

You can include it in the preparation of cakes and all kinds of sweets.

If you want to know where to buy pitahaya or dragon fruit, look in the markets, local stores, depending on where you live, it will be more or less easy to buy it.

Know the properties and benefits of other fruits

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