BENEFITS OF DRAGON FRUIT
Dragon fruit is a fruit that is quite commonly consumed by the people of Indonesia. This fruit has skin that looks scaly and is purplish red or pink in color. Based on the color of the flesh, dragon fruit consists of 2 types, namely white dragon fruit and red dragon fruit.
Dragon fruit function
Dragon fruit has many functions such as:
Helps fight chronic disease
Free radicals are molecules that can cause cell damage, inflammation and disease. One way to overcome this is by consuming foods rich in antioxidants such as dragon fruit. Antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals so they can prevent cell damage. Research shows that consuming foods high in antioxidants can help prevent chronic diseases such as heart problems, cancer, diabetes and arthritis.
What Are Dragon Fruit Nutrients?
Dragon fruit is low in calories and contains essential vitamins and minerals. In 227 grams of dragon fruit will contain:
Vitamin C
The content of vitamin C in dragon fruit functions as a good antioxidant to protect the body from exposure to free radicals. The content of vitamin C in dragon fruit is also good for stimulating collagen formation, maintaining endurance, and helping the absorption of iron so that the body does not lack blood.
Calcium
Calcium is needed by the body to maintain bone strength. In addition, the heart, muscles, and nerves also need calcium to function properly. Lack of calcium in the body can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
However, you don't need to worry, because dragon fruit also contains calcium in it. Apart from consuming milk, you can consume dragon fruit to meet your daily calcium needs.
Magnesium
Dragon fruit is one type of fruit that contains lots of magnesium. Thanks to these ingredients, this fruit can prevent and relieve muscle cramps, increase stamina and performance when exercising, maintain heart health and function, and lower blood pressure. Magnesium can also reduce the risk of depression, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, as well as relieve symptoms of migraine and premenstrual syndrome.
Vitamin B2 and vitamin B3
Apart from vitamin C, dragon fruit also contains vitamin B2 and vitamin B3. These two vitamins play an important role in maintaining the smooth running of the body's metabolism and maintaining healthy body tissues. Adequate intake of B vitamins is also believed to reduce the risk of several diseases, such as migraines, cataracts, preeclampsia, and heart disease. Vitamin B is also said to play an important role in maintaining the health of the body's nerves.
Iron
Iron is a type of mineral that is very important for the human body because it acts as a raw material for making red blood cells. If the body is deficient in iron, the production of red blood cells in the body will decrease. As a result, you are at risk of developing anemia or lack of blood.
Dragon fruit has a high iron content, so it can meet the iron intake that the body needs and prevent you from various health problems caused by iron deficiency.
Antioxidants
Dragon fruit is a type of fruit that is rich in antioxidants and natural dyes called anthocyanins. It is this substance that gives dragon fruit its bright red color. The content of dragon fruit is known to protect cells and body tissues from free radical damage and even reduce the risk of cancer.
After consuming red dragon fruit, the color of your urine and feces may appear reddish. However, you don't need to worry because it is natural and not dangerous. Reddish colored urine and feces are caused by anthocyanin substances contained in red dragon fruit.
In addition to the above content, dragon fruit also contains a lot of fiber so that it can improve digestion. By regularly consuming high fiber vegetables and fruits, including dragon fruit, you can prevent constipation.
Those are some of the health benefits of dragon fruit that you may not have known before. If you want to experience these benefits yourself, there is nothing wrong with making dragon fruit for daily consumption.
However, you must still remember to limit your intake of dragon fruit so as not to overdo it. Basically, anything in excess is very bad for health.