Yellow dragon fruit health benefits – The shape and characteristics are somewhat different from other dragon fruit. This yellow one has soft spines on its skin and looks like an egg with a skin that is meaningless and equipped with thorns. This Pitaya plant is native to Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela and Ecuador. Yellow dragon fruit is a commodity that is very much sought after by fruit enthusiasts. Dragon fruit harvested in Colombia is exported to Canada and Europe.
The yellow dragon fruit has many variations, which differ slightly from one another in terms of the plant. Among the dragon fruit (yellow Pitaya) is the fruit of a plant called Acanthocereus colombianus, Acanthocereus pitajaya, Selenicereus megalanthus, Hylocereus triangularis. While the red dragon fruit has scaly skin like dragon skin without any thorns covering it.
Table of Contents
Stem
The stems of the yellow dragon fruit plant are procumbent, scandent or pendant. The thickness of this cactus stem reaches 1.5 cm and on this part of the stem sometimes grows roots. These aerial roots are useful for holding poles or supports so that dragon fruit plants grow strong and sturdy. In young dragon fruit plants, there are usually fine hairs attached to them.
Flower
The flower of dragon fruit plant is funnel-shaped with white mixed with yellow. This flower has a length of about 32-38 cm. On the inside of the flower or in the funnel there are many pollen stamens. For fertilization on dragon fruit, you need to marry it. The way to marry is to put pollen into the pistil that is in the main flower funnel.
Dragon fruit flowers usually bloom at night and this is only briefly until 11 o’clock in the morning, then the flowers wither. If the fertilization is successful, the dragon fruit will appear at the base of the flower.
Fruit
Dragon fruit is oval in shape with irregular skin. Unlike the red or white dragon fruit, the skin is scaly like dragon skin. Different yellow dragon fruit, the outer part of the skin is spiky smooth.
White flesh, with small black seeds. The pulp is sweet and contains a lot of fructose or a type of natural sugar.
Health Benefits of Yellow Dragon Fruit
After we know the yellow dragon fruit, now is the time for us to know what are the benefits and health benefits of this fruit from Colombia. We’ve gathered a lot of information about the health benefits of yellow pitaya or hylocereus megalanthus.
1. Produce red blood cells
One of the benefits we consume yellow dragon fruit is to meet the needs of iron. The iron contained in dragon fruit is useful for forming red blood cells. This can prevent anemia in pregnant women and increase the supply of oxygen and food juices throughout the body including the fetus that is still in the womb.
2. Useful for detoxifying toxins
Another benefit of consuming yellow dragon fruit is detoxifying toxins. The high fiber content is good for digestion and promotes optimal waste disposal so that toxins can be excreted from the body. Optimal removal of toxins can lighten the work of the liver. Apart from that, it also provides great benefits against constipation problems. So, pregnant women who are prone to constipation can consume yellow dragon fruit to improve digestion and facilitate waste disposal.
3. Improve beauty
Yellow Dragon fruit is rich in fat, vitamins, amino acids, fiber, and enzymes. All these ingredients support good health and in turn give beauty. For example, vitamins are good for the skin, when these vitamins are fulfilled, the skin will look healthy and of course the beauty of the skin also follows.
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4. Benefits of yellow dragon fruit for the heart
Yellow dragon fruit is a barrier for monounsaturated fatty acids. This is good for heart health by minimizing the LDL content so that the heart remains healthy. High LDL can block blood vessels and this makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood. With the presence of unsaturated fatty acids, the heart is always healthy and is protected from high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases.
5. Benefits of dragon fruit for inflammation
Dragon fruit seeds are rich in omega 3, these are useful in fighting fungal infections, bacteria and autoimmune diseases. These anti-bacterial substances increase the number of white blood cells, and keep the body away from toxins. High white blood cells are good for regenerating cells and good for wound healing.
6. Dragon fruit for body immunity
The vitamin C content in yellow dragon fruit is very much, it is said that the amount is three times the amount found in carrots. Vitamin C is useful in preventing heavy metals in the body as well as getting rid of other toxins. Repair cells and increase the body’s resistance to stress.
Yellow dragon fruit is also rich in antioxidants which fight free radicals. This is the cause of damage to body cells and lead to cancer. By consuming foods rich in antioxidants, our body will fight free radicals and protect cell damage and prevent premature aging due to cell oxidation.
Culinary uses
- Dragon fruit can be consumed raw
- great for flavoring cakes and drinks
- Dragon fruit can be made into juice and wine
- The pulp is sometimes also made into jam and jelly
- The pulp is diced, and added to salads.
Dragon fruit is not only consumed directly as a healthy snack. But dragon fruit is also used for culinary purposes, including:
- Dragon fruit is consumed raw
- Dragon fruit can be turned into juice and wine drinks
- Used to flavor drinks and cakes
- Dragon fruit plant flowers are brewed as tea
- The fruit pulp is made of jelly, marmalade and jam
- Dragon fruit flesh is also added to salads.
Side Effects of Dragon Fruit
Consuming dragon fruit in excess is not good for health. This fruit contains a lot of sugar in the form of fructose. So consume it in moderation to get health benefits.
Also see: Lanzones health Benefits
How to Eat Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is very easy to eat, you only need to split the dragon fruit into 4 parts, then take the spoon and shovel on the dragon fruit flesh. Or eat directly from the skin which you split into small pieces.
Dragon fruit that you cut into cubes can be added to salads or in smoothies.
