Put out the fire of meetings, deadlines, emergencies with the Dragon Fruit Smoothie. Put vitamin break on the TO DO list!
What is dragon fruit?
Dragon fruit, also known as pitahaya, is a tropical fruit known for its vibrant red skin and sweet flesh with many seeds.
Its unique appearance and the fact that it is considered a superfood have made it popular among foodies and those interested in health.
Dragon fruit is surprisingly easy to prepare and can be eaten on its own or added to salads, smoothies or yogurt.
The benefits of consuming dragon fruit
Important source of fiber
Dietary fiber is a non-digestible carbohydrate that boasts an extensive list of potential health benefits. It is recommended to consume 25 grams of fiber per day for women and 38 grams for men. Like antioxidants, fiber supplements do not have the same health benefits as dietary fiber.
With 7 grams per serving (128 grams), dragon fruit is an excellent source of whole fiber.
Although fiber is known for its role in digestion, research has suggested that it may also play a role in protecting against heart disease, managing type 2 diabetes and maintaining a healthy body weight.
It helps the intestinal flora
Dragon fruit can influence the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, which is associated with a healthy gastrointestinal tract.
Your gut is home to approximately 100 trillion different microorganisms, including over 400 species of bacteria. Many researchers believe that this community of microorganisms can affect health. Both human and animal studies have linked gut imbalances to conditions such as asthma and heart disease.
Since dragon fruit contains prebiotics, it can improve the balance of good bacteria in the gut.
It strengthens the immune system
Our body’s ability to fight infections is determined by many different factors, including the quality of our diet.
The vitamin C and carotenoids in dragon fruit can strengthen your immune system and prevent infections by protecting your white blood cells from damage.
Important source of magnesium
Dragon fruit is an excellent source of magnesium, a nutrient required for more than 600 biochemical reactions in your body.
Dragon fruit provides more magnesium than most fruits, with 18% of the RDI in one cup.
On average, your body contains 24g of magnesium. Despite this seemingly small amount, the mineral is present in every one of your cells and participates in over 600 important chemical reactions in your body.
Nutrients
Key nutrients in a 227 gram serving:
Calories 136, Protein 3 gr, Fat 0 gr, Carbohydrates 29 gr, Fiber 7 gr, Iron 8% of RDI, Magnesium 18% of RDI, Vitamin C 9% of RDI, Vitamin E 4% of RDI.