Dragon fruit gets little fanfare, and just might be the most overlooked fruit in the supermarket.
They kinda look funny, and they kinda smell funny, so we naturally shy away from them, not giving a second thought on the taste, or if we should add them to our diets or not.
Having said that, dragon fruit has been catching the attention of intrepid eaters, gaining more popularity recently. So, we think it makes sense to provide some education on the health benefits of dragon fruit – maybe you’ll be inclined to give them more attention on your next trip to the supermarket:
Better heart function
One study from the Journal of Pharmacognosy Research suggests dragon fruit helped animals in the trial helped reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol, meaning the produce is a strong choice for that particular need.
The seeds in dragon fruit also have enough omega fatty acids to reduce triglycerides and improve cardiovascular function.
Related: Avoid These Foods if You Have Heart Failure
Boosted immune system
Flavonoids and antioxidants are abundant in dragon fruit, aiding in removing harmful radicals and boosting immunity. Fun fact: Dragon fruit is actually a better source of vitamin C than carrots, and is packed with B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, niacin and fiber – all of which combine to enhance immune system function.
Helps Treat Diabetes
Dragon fruits are a rich source of fiber, which helps in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. It is also capable of reducing oxidative stress that is considered to be one of the root causes behind insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. One study found that obese mice when fed with dragon fruit reduced risk of diabetes.
Photo Credit: Chokchai Daoruang/Shutterstock.com; Seksun Guntanid/Shutterstock.com
