The 10 Health Benefits of Pitaya
The Benefits of Pitaia for Health are varied, as the Pitaia has a large amount of essential nutrients for the general health of the body. In addition, the Pitaia or pitaya is the name given to the fruit of several species of epiphytic cacti of the genera Hylocereus and Selenicereus, native to regions of Central America and Mexico. The term pitaya means “scaly fruit” and it is also called dragon fruit in some languages.
There are three species of Pitaia , all very commercialized, which give them their names: the White Pitaia (pink on the outside and white inside), the Yellow Pitaia (yellow on the outside and white on the inside) and the Red Pitaia (reddish ). inside and outside). As the Pitaia plant only blooms at night (with large white flowers), its flowers are one of several plants called “night flower”.
Nutritional Value of Pitaia: In each Pitaia Medium or every 100 grams of Pitaia there are approximately:
- 85.4 g of Water
- 0.4 g of Proteins
- 0.1 g of Fats
- 13.2 g of Carbohydrates
- 0.5 g of Fiber
- 4 mg of Vitamin C
- 10 mg of Calcium
- 16 mg of Phosphorus
Fruits are an important part of a healthy diet. They are rich in vital nutrients that our bodies need to stay healthy. While fruits like mangoes, oranges, bananas, pineapples, watermelons , grapes, apples, etc. are commonly consumed by all of us, there are some fruits, which most of us are unaware of. Pitaya is one of those rare fruits, which are loaded with nutrients and can provide you with various health benefits.
Benefits of Pitaia For Health: Pitaia is an excellent source of several nutrients, such as: Phosphorus and oligosarides that help the digestive process and prevent colon cancer and diabetes. It also helps to neutralize toxic substances (heavy metals), reduces cholesterol levels and hypertension. The seeds have a laxative effect. You can consume the pulp of the fruit raw or processed as a soft drink, jellies or sweets. Phosphorus, calcium, potassium and iron come free when consuming dragon fruit. They help in the health of bones and teeth, strengthening muscles and hemoglobin – red blood cells. Potassium, in particular, is good for people with hypertension as it helps to lower blood pressure.
Benefits of Pitaya for Cardiovascular Health: Pitaya can help improve heart health as it lowers levels of (bad cholesterol) while improving levels of (good cholesterol). In addition, a study carried out in 2010 showed that consumption of pitaya can reduce the risks of developing heart disease and developing high blood pressure. This exotic fruit is also a good source of mono-saturated fats that help keep your heart in good condition.
Benefits of Pitaia in Weight Loss: Pitaia hasa thermogenic action, low caloric value and high amount of fiber, helping in the digestion process and preventing constipation . In addition, it is a source of tyramine, an amino acid that activates the hormone glucagon. This whole process makes the body use glucose and fat stores as a source of energy. You know that crazy desire to eat sweets? So tyramine is able to alleviate it.
Benefits of Pitaya for Digestion: Pitaya in addition to strengthening the immune system, it has a high fiber content, which means that they help the body with bowel movements, facilitating smooth passage through the digestive tract, stimulating peristaltic movement. , and inducing the release of digestive juices. By regulating bowel function with dietary fiber, you reduce your chances of conditions like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and even more serious conditions like colorectal cancer.
Benefits of Pitaya for Diabetes Prevention: Pitaya has a lot of fiber, they can help to stabilize blood sugar levels. It also helps to inhibit the sugar spikes that occur after eating foods with a high glycemic index. In the same study, researchers found that pitaya has an important effect on the oxidative stress of aortic stiffness in diabetic rats. This has shown that regular consumption of this exotic fruit can be beneficial in preventing problems associated with diabetes .
Benefits of Pitaya for the Immune System: One of the most beneficial aspects of Pitaya is its ability to give your body’s defense system a boost. Due to their high levels of Vitamin C , they are one of the most important assets for your body’s immune system, and they stimulate the activity of other antioxidants in the body. They actively seek out and help scavenge free radicals, dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism, which have been directly linked to potentially fatal conditions like cancer and heart disease.
Benefits of Pitaya for Regulating Blood Sugar Levels: The high fiber content present in Pitaya plays a key role in stabilizing blood sugar levels. In fact, Pitaia prevents sugar spikes in diabetic people that occur after eating some food with a high glycemic index. So eating pitaya helps prevent health complications commonly associated with diabetes. This reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems in people suffering from Type 2 diabetes.
Benefits of Pitaya for Preventing Cancer: Pitaya is rich in beneficial antioxidants that help prevent cancer -causing free radicals. It also has carotene with anti-cancer qualities that prevent tumors from developing. In addition, lycopene , which gives this fruit its characteristic red color, helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer .
A 2011 study found that a low- fat diet , high intake of fruits , vegetables and lycopene-rich foods, and adequate physical activity can help reduce the risk of prostate cancer. When consumed on a regular basis, Pitaia can even improve the quality of life for people suffering from cancer. It can help reduce symptoms like fatigue, nausea , vomiting, pain, and loss of appetite .
Benefits of Pitaya for Lowering High Blood Pressure: This tropical superfood that is Pitaya is also good for lowering high blood pressure as it is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants. In addition, it contains potassium , which helps balance the level of sodium in the body, thus regulating blood pressure. In addition, the small crunchy black seeds in Pitaya contain omega 3 fatty acids that have been found to help reduce high blood pressure in people suffering from hypertension.
Benefits of Pitaya for Bones and Teeth: Pitaya is rich in calcium and phosphorus that help strengthen bones and teeth . Calcium is also necessary for proper muscle function and nerve transmission. It even helps in tissue formation and repair, which helps prevent osteoporosis . In addition, this fruit has an anti-inflammatory property that helps reduce joint pain and inflammation due to arthritis and other health problems. Eat 1 to 2 Pitayas on a regular basis for strong bones and teeth.