Dragon fruit or red pitaya belongs to the Cactaceae family from the subfamily Cactoidea of the tribe Cactea. The Dragon Fruit / Pitaya plant is magnificent to behold with stunning and beautiful fruit that exhibits vibrant colors and shape. Dragon fruit is not only attractive but is also flavourful that is slightly similar to kiwi and melon that possess amazing health benefits. To know more of this incredible fruit, read on.
Scientific Name: Ceraus, Acanthocereus, Echinocereus, Hylocereus, Selenicereus, Stenocereus, Escontria, Myrthillocactus.
Also knows as: Pitaya, Dragon Fruit, Red Pitahaya, Night-blooming Cereus, Strawberry Pear, Belle of the Night, conderella plant
Other common names:
French: cierge-lezard, poire de chardon; German: distelbirn, echte stachelbirn, drachenfrucht; Hawaiian: Pa-nani-o-ka; Portoguese: cato-barse, cardo-ananaz; Spanish: pitahaya roja (Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela); flor de caliz, pitajava (Puerto Rico); junco, junco tapatio, pitahaya orejona, reina de la noche, tasajo (Mexico); Swedish: skogskaktus, röd pitahaya
The Dragon plant is a vine, epiphytic cacti of the genus Hylocereus that is believed to be native in Central and Southern America and has been brought to Southeast Asian countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Vietnam. Dragon plant has fleshy stems that grow up to 20ft long when matured. Dragon plants may grow from the ground or climb onto trees using aerial roots. Dragon plant bears flowers that only bloom at night. The flowers are ornate and beautiful with a fragrant scent. Pitahaya plants can have up to 4-6 fruiting cycles per year. The dragon fruit has spines that grow up to 1 kilogram in weight. Dragon fruit skin may be yellowish to dark red in color with edible flesh that may be white or red depending on the variety. It has a lot of black small seeds that is also edible.
Pitaya or Dragon fruit is also known to have some health benefits that includes preventing memory loss, anti-cancer activity, control of blood glucose level in insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes, anti-oxidant properties, aids in healing of wounds and others.
Dragon fruit Medicinal Uses
Folkloric health Benefits from Dragon fruit.
- Dragon fruit promotes the healing of wounds and cuts.
- Dragon fruit improves appetite.
- Dragon fruit improves eyesight
- Dragon fruit can aid in weight reduction
- Dragon fruit improves memory.
Confirmed health Benefits from Dragon fruit.
- Dragon fruit boosts the immune system. Dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C and fibers that help provide an overall healthy body.
- Dragon fruit helps in digestion. Because of the richness in fibers, Dragon fruit aids in the digestion of food, Studies also suggest that Dragon fruit promotes the growth of probiotics.
- Dragon fruit help to lower blood glucose levels in type 2 insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes. Studies also suggest that the glucose found in Dragon fruit aids in controlling the blood sugar level for diabetes patients.
- Dragon fruit prevents the formation of cancer-causing free radicals. Dragon fruit is rich in minerals and fibers that aids in digestion, cleans toxic ingredients thus preventing the occurrence of colon cancer.
- Dragon fruit as anti-oxidant. The presence of a high level of vitamin C, minerals and pytoalbumin is regarded as relevant in fighting free radicals and possesses anti-oxidant properties.
- Dragon fruit helps to control cholesterol levels. Dragon fruit is also rich in flavonoids that are known to have favorable effects against cardio-related disease.
Scientific Studies of Health Benefits from Dragon fruit
Dragon fruit Mechanism of action in disease treatment and prevention
Pouyrhizus Waste Extract By Using Ultrasonic Solvents Extraction
Pitaya plants are also known as Dragon fruit are rich in naturally occurring flavonoids, which are primarily found in dragon fruit peel. Flavonoids have a wide range of biological activities, such as cell proliferation-inhibiting, apoptosis-inducing, enzyme-inhibiting, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects (Cook and Samman, 1996; Havsteen, 2002; Middleton and Kandaswami, 1993). Moreover, some findings indicate that flavonoids\ has various clinical properties, such as antiatherosclerotic, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anti-thrombogenic, antiosteoporotic, and antiviral effects (Cook and Samman, 1996; Havsteen, 2002). Numerous epidemiological studies confirm a significant relationship between the high dietary intake of flavonoids and the reduction of cardiovascular risk (Cook and Samman, 1996). The formulation of preventive and healthy nutrition requires information about phenolic and flavonoid composition in the dragon fruit waste.
http://umpir.ump.edu.my/805/1/Lee,_Qiao_Hui.pdf
Proximate analysis of dragon fruit (Hylecereus polyhizus).
Dragon fruit is also rich in phytoalbumins which are highly valued for their antioxidant properties. Dragon fruit or Hylocereus polyrhizus is rich in fibers, vitamin C, minerals and phytoalbumins which are highly valued for their antioxidant properties. The dragon fruit helps the digestive process, prevent colon cancer and insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes, neutralize toxic substances such as heavy metal, reduce cholesterol levels and high blood pressure and consumed regularly the dragon fruit can help against asthma and cough. It is also rich with potassium, protein, fiber, sodium and calcium which goods for health than other fruits.
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/article/American-Journal-Applied-Sciences/208166316.html
The Nutrition and Health Benefits of Tropical Fruits with Special Reference to Red Pitaya
This study indicates hypocholesterolemic effect of tropical fruits including dragon fruit or pitaya as shown in-vivo and human intervention trial, therefore it has a potential of reducing the risk factor for CHD (dyslipidemia)
Soluble fiber increase fecal bile acids losses and chemodeoxycholic acid synthesis and appear to be the best substantiated mechanism by which fiber lowers serum cholesterol.
Other factors that may have contributed to the cholesterol-lowering effects are the plant sterol and phytochemical present in fruits that interfere with cholesterol metabolism
These effects maybe attributed by the active components present in the pitaya fruit such as antioxidant, polyphenolics, thiols, and their antioxidative activity from the betacyanin contents (Wybraniec & Mizrahi, 2002).
The present study results revealed that both treatments (Red pitaya fruit and Lovastatin drug) showed a similar effect in increasing HDL-C and lowering TC, TG and LDL-C level
http://www.madamsun.com/files/Download/The nutrition and health benefits of tropical fruits with special reference to red pitaya.pdf
Dragon fruit confers prebiotic benefits
The researcher concluded that dragon fruit may be used as an ingredient in functional food and nutraceutical products for the overweight individuals and diabetic prevention management. Meanwhile, the prebiotic effect of dragon fruit should be tested in clinical studies with both the raw and extracted flesh for comparison.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0887/is_12_29/ai_n56719678/
Wound healing properties of Hylocereus undatus on diabetic rats.
Aqueous extracts of leaves, rind, fruit pulp and flowers of Hylocereus undatus were studied for their wound healing properties. Wound healing effects were studied on incision (skin breaking strength), excision (percent wound contraction) and the nature of wound granulation tissues, which were removed on day 7 and the collagen, hexosamine, total proteins and DNA contents were determined, in addition to the rates of wound contraction and the period of epithelialization. In streptozotocin diabetic rats, where healing is delayed, topical applications of H. undatus produced increases in hydroxyproline, tensile strength, total proteins, DNA collagen content and better epithelization thereby facilitating healing. H. undatus had no hypoglycemic activity. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.1724/abstract;j sessionid=6F4BF99B4BA76679BBF030DA132FCB20.d02t01
Dragon fruit Preparations, Usage and Side Effects
Dragon fruit Preparation and Usage
Dragon is fruit is best eaten fresh, it can be diced, sliced, chilled, add to salads or even blended to make a smoothie.
Where to buy Dragon Fruit.
Dragon fruuits are available in most grocery stores, supermarkets and fruit stores. They are sold in per piece or in a per kilo basis.Dragon fruits are also made into jams, puree, sherbets, salads, fruit pizza, juice, and beverages.
Dragon fruit Warnings and Side Effects
- Dragon fruit is generally a nutritious fruit that is a good source of vitamins and minerals.
- There are no reported side effects in consuming dragen fruit.
- Dragon fruit is safe for consumption even by pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
