Pitaya (dragon fruit) and its he alth properties were already known to ancient tribes inhabiting South America. Scientists have now looked at it and have found that, in addition to numerous vitamins and minerals, pitaya also contains substances that make it antioxidant. It can also prevent obesity and related diseases. Check what properties pitaya has, as well as how to peel and eat dragon fruit.

Pitaya (pitahaya) , otherwisedragon fruitor strawberry pear, is an exotic fruit of some species of cactus whosehe alth propertieswere first known to the inhabitants of South America, where he comes from. Currently, this fruit is grown mainly in Asian countries. The pitaya is oval in shape, covered with a reddish or yellowish skin, ending with long, pointed leaves - hence the name dragon fruit. His family is Costa Rican pitaya - a fruit with a red skin and the same flesh - and a yellow pitaya with a yellow skin and white flesh.

Pitaya (dragon fruit) - an antioxidant that protects the circulatory system

Pitaya is a fruit rich in betalaines - natural pigments consisting of red-violet betacyanins and yellow-orange betaxanthins.

Pitaya is the fruit of a cactus that has fleshy, hanging arms, ending in flowering with large white flowers that bloom only one night, several times a year. One month after flowering, the pitaya fruit is harvested.

Betalaine compounds are not widely distributed in plant-based foods. They are found only in pitaya, red beet, chard, prickly pear, ulluko and amaranth. Previous studies show that betalains have strong antioxidant properties.

It has also been shown that betalaines inhibit lipid oxidation, have a protective effect on red blood cells, and prevent cardiotoxicity during cancer chemotherapy in mice. Cardiotoxicity is changes in the cardiovascular system, e.g. caused by the duration of chemotherapy or radiotherapy or immediately after its completion .¹

Worth knowing

Pitaya (dragon fruit) - nutritional value (per 100 g)Energy value - 52kcal Total protein - 1.1 g Fat - 0.4 g Carbohydrates - 11.0 g Fiber - 3 gVitaminsVitamin C - 20.5 mg Thiamine - 0.04 mg Riboflavin - 0.05 mg Niacin - 0.16 mg Vitamin B6 - 0.029 mgMineralsCalcium - 8.5 mg Iron - 1.9 mg Phosphorus - 22.5 mg Data Source: healwithfood.org

Pitaya (dragon fruit) - reduces insulin resistance

According to research by scientists from Zhejiang University in Hangzhou (China), dragon fruit can protect against obesity and related diseases, such as insulin resistance and fatty liver. One study involved mice on a high-fat diet .² They were given dragon fruit extract. After the experiment was completed, it was found that the mice lost weight and reduced their risk of fatty liver, insulin resistance, and inflammation. According to Chinese researchers, the substances that are responsible for such properties of the dragon fruit are, among others the already mentioned betalains.

Pitaya (dragon fruit) may cause allergies

There is a known case of an allergic reaction after eating dragon fruit, ³ confirmed by allergy tests. However, it should be emphasized that a person allergic to this fruit had a history of atopic dermatitis and eczema, as well as symptoms of birch pollen allergy. It can therefore be assumed that pitaya increases the risk of food allergy in people who are already allergic.

Worth knowing

Pitaya (dragon fruit) - How to peel and eat?What does it taste like?

The pitaya should be cut in half like a kiwi. Then you will see white flesh, densely dotted with small, black seeds, which can be extracted with a spoon. It has a flavor reminiscent of a mixture of kiwi and melon - sweet, but too bland for some. The seeds are edible, so you don't need to get rid of them.

Pitaya (dragon fruit) - where can you buy it? What's the price?

In Poland, pitaya is hard to find. It's best to look for it in online stores. The price for 1 kg is about PLN 12. One fruit may weigh about 250 g. Buy fruit with a smooth skin. Lots of dark dots and dried-in tabs mean the pitaya is overripe. In turn, a hard skin means that pitaya is unripe and will have to lie down a little at room temperature.

You can also buy pitaya powder - its price ranges from about PLN 15 to about PLN 35 per 100 g.

Pitaya (dragon fruit) - use in the kitchen

Pitaya is a refreshing fruit that will work well as an ingredient in ice cream, cakes, creams, cocktails and mousses. Cooling the fruit enhances its exotic flavor. Dragon fruit can also be added to salads. Pitaya juice also tastes good. Flowers are also ediblethis plant - fresh ones are used as additives to dishes or desserts, and dried ones are made into an infusion.

In turn, powdered pitaya can be added to smoothies, cocktails, shakes and yoghurt. It can also be an addition to cakes and desserts.

Recipe for dragon fruit carpaccio

Source: x-news.pl/Dzień Dobry TVN

Bibliography:

1. Scientists are investigating the he alth-promoting properties of red beet, http://naukawpolsce.pap.pl/aktualnosci/news,407533,naukowcy-badaja-wlasowniczosci-prozdrowotne-burakow-cwiklowych.html2. White Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) Juice Attenuates Insulin Resistance and Hepatic Steatosis in Diet-Induced Obese Mice. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/269140243. Anaphylactic reaction to (mixed) fruit juice containing dragon fruit, http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(09)00816-1/fulltext4. Purified Betacyanins from Hylocereus undatus Peel Ameliorate Obesity and Insulin Resistance in High-Fat-Diet-Fed Mice. 5. Red pitaya betacyanins protects from diet-induced obesity, liver steatosis and insulin resistance in association with modulation of gut microbiota in mice. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26699443

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