Dragon Fruit Nutritional Value: Nutrition Facts

Make way for the new, aptly-named superfruit, the dragonfruit! From pomegranates to açai berries, from goji berries to yumberries, the world has seen plenty of superfruits break into the market. Well, here comes another. The dragonfruit, also known as pitaya or pitahaya, is the latest entrant to the world of superfruits. Native to Central and South America and cultivated in places as diverse as South East Asia and Australia, this fruit from the cactus species come in three varieties – red skin with red flesh (widely considered to be the best-tasting), red skin with white flesh and yellow skin with white flesh.

Dragon fruits are high in antioxidants, which help to fight carcinogenic free-radicals from forming in the body. In addition, they are a good source of Vitamin C, and are rich in minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus. They are also low in calories and high in fiber, while the seeds are have high polyunsaturated fatty acids. Aside from its nutritional content, the fruit is also said to help excrete heavy metal toxins from the body and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Dragonfruits are also known to be a natural laxative.

The fruit is roughly football-shaped, with a leathery, leafy skin. They are mildly sweet, though some may consider them to be bland. Dragonfruits are best served cold. To eat it, simply cut it in half, then scoop out the flesh with a spoon. The skin may not be eaten. Tip: save the middle of the fruit for last, as it is the sweetest part of the fruit.

Dragonfruit flesh is liberally scattered with little black seeds, drawing a comparison to kiwifruits. Like the kiwifruit, dragonfruit seeds are eaten together with the flesh. The crunchy seeds have a nutty taste and are high in lipids, although they are indigestible unless chewed.

A note of caution to end: do not be worried if your urine and faeces show a reddish discoloration after eating large amounts of red-fleshed dragonfruit. This is a natural effect, known as pseudohematuria, and is completely harmless.