Dragon Fruit

Also known as pitaya, red pitahaya, night blooming cereus, strawberry pear, belle of the night and conderella plant, dragon fruit was originally derived from Central and South America.

According to legend the fruit was created thousands of years ago in a battle when a dragon breathed fire and the last thing to emerge was this fruit. After the dragon was slain the fruit was collected by the victorious soldiers and presented to the Emperor as a coveted treasure. It was believed that those who feasted on the fruit would be given the strength and ferocity of the dragon.

Shaped like a big mango the common dragon fruit found in the market is typically red heart and white heart, mainly white heart. What’s is the difference between red heart dragon fruit and white heart dragon fruit?

Red heart dragon fruit has red flesh and white heart dragon fruit has white flesh. Both are delicious but Red Dragon Fruit has a few additional benefits warranting a higher price tag. Usually, the red heart dragon fruit fructose is above 15 degrees, and the white heart dragon fruit's sugar is about 10 degrees, so the red heart dragon fruit is sweeter.

Whether shopping for red or white dragon fruit look for bright color and smooth skin. The redder the skin the better. The heavier the fruit the more juice it contains, and the plumper will be the flesh.

This tropical fruit that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Though people primarily enjoy it for its unique look and taste, evidence suggests a wide variety of health and nutritional benefits.

One 6-ounce serving of dragon fruit contains: 

Calories: 102 – Fat: 0 grams – Protein: 2 grams – Carbohydrates: 22 grams – Fiber: 5 grams – Sugars: 13 grams

Vitamin A: 100 international units (IU) – Vitamin C: 4 milligrams – Calcium: 31 milligrams  – Iron: 0.1 milligram – Magnesium: 68 milligrams

Rich in antioxidants like flavonoids, phenolic acid, and betacyanin, these natural substances protect your cells from damage by free radicals -- molecules that can lead to diseases like cancer and pre-mature aging.

Dragon fruit is naturally fat-free and high in fiber and may help lower your blood sugar. It contains prebiotics, which are foods that feed the healthy bacteria called probiotics in your gut improving the balance of good to bad bacteria in your intestines. Dragon fruit is high in vitamin C and other antioxidants, which are good for your immune system. The  vitamin C in the fruit also helps your body take in and use the iron which is important for moving oxygen through your body and giving you energy.