Pitahaya spp. Dragon eye (dragon fruit), dragon heart: beneficial properties and contraindications for use. Beneficial properties and benefits of pitahaya for the body

Review of the exotic fruit - pitahaya: what it looks like, where it grows, what is its usefulness, chemical composition and taste, dragonfruit calorie content and interesting facts.

Dragon fruit or pitahaya is the fruit of a plant from the cactus family, a relative of sweet pitaya. The plant itself does not look like an ordinary tree or palm; it is an epiphytic vine-like climbing cactus. The homeland of this bizarre cactus is Mexico, America (Centre and South). Now the plant is cultivated in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries of Southeast Asia and Australia. There are some other names for the fruit that it is called in Asia - pitaya, dragonfruit and pitahaya.

The photo shows a pitahaya tree with fruits

Pitahaya blooms exclusively at night with white fragrant flowers. After 30–50 days, fruits with sweet creamy pulp and a pleasant delicate aroma are set on the trees. It’s hard to imagine, but one such cactusoliana can bear fruit up to 6 times a year (approximately 30 tons per hectare).

Appearance and taste of dragon fruit

Exotic fruits also look exotic, pitaya is no exception: bright pink, the size of a large apple, elongated in shape, covered with large scales with the ends of a bright light green color, there is also an external resemblance to a small pineapple. The average fruit weight is 300–500 grams, there are also larger ones up to a kilogram. The shell is soft and easy to cut with a regular knife. Depending on the variety, the tender pulp is also multi-colored - from purple to colorless (white). There are a lot of small seeds inside it, like in kiwi, they are practically not felt in the mouth.

There are many varieties of dragon fruit. They all differ in shape, size, color (pulp and peel), even in the number of scales on the skin. The most common types:

• Red pitahaya, with a bright pink shell and white flesh. Its taste is fresher with herbal notes of aroma;
• Costa Rican, with red skin and red flesh;
• Yellow, with a yellow shell and white inside. This is the sweetest variety of pitahaya and the most aromatic (I haven’t found it in Thailand).

If we compare the taste of dragon fruit with fruits that are already common to us, we can define it as kiwi-banana. Although the taste is barely noticeable, there are fruits that are almost tasteless.

Choose ripe pitahaya for food. It is soft to the touch (evenly over the entire surface). There should be no obvious dents or rotten spots. Red varieties have a distinctive feature: the darker the color of the peel, the richer the taste.

1. like a banana, you peel off the peel with your hands (pull the top scales) and eat the pulp like an apple;
2. cut into slices and eat in slices like an orange;
3. cut the peel without touching the flesh and peel it off as you eat the inner contents.

Chemical composition of pitahaya

Dragon fruit is best eaten fresh, but in some countries it is used to make jams, sorbet and sauces. For example, in Mexico they make excellent wine from it.

Pitahaya is a dietary product; 100 g of dragon fruit pulp contains no more than 50 kcal, as well as:

• Fats - 0.1–0.58 g
• Proteins - 0.52 g
• Carbohydrates - 10?13.5 g
• Fiber - 0.35?0.9 g
• Water - up to 90 g
• Ash - 0.5 g

Vitamins and microelements contained in dragonfruit:

• - from 5 mg to 25 mg
• B3 - from 0.2 mg to 0.4 mg
• Iron - from 0.35 mg to 0.69 mg
• Potassium - 110 mg -115 mg
• Phosphorus - from 15.5 mg to 35 mg
• Calcium - from 6 mg to 9.5 mg

This is not just a beautiful exotic fruit, but also healthy. It helps especially well in the presence of gastrointestinal problems (for example, bloating). The pitahaya pulp is very watery with the presence of small seeds, which almost always causes diarrhea. But this is not bad, the intestines also need to be cleaned. The black small seeds themselves are rich in tannin - this is good for vision. The pulp of a ripe dragon fruit contains calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamins B and C. All this is good for the functioning of the endocrine and cardiovascular systems; patients with diabetes can safely eat the fruit, it reduces glucose in the blood.

Due to its low calorie content, pitahaya is used in dietary recipes; it provides satiety without adding fat cells.

Dragon fruit has also found its use in perfumery and cosmetics: in shampoos, creams and masks.

Pitahaya contraindications

Eating exotic fruits should be treated with caution. For example, a large amount of pitahaya can cause flatulence or heartburn; for some, the pulp is generally contraindicated and can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, if you are eating dragon fruit for the first time, you should start trying it with small portions. It is better not to give babies food that is unusual for them at all, as there is a high probability of diathesis.

There is no need to be alarmed if, after eating a large amount of dragon fruit, your urine turns reddish (if you eat red fruits). Diarrhea is also possible.

According to Eastern legend, dragons once had the pitahaya fruit instead of fire. They spewed it out of their mouths when they could no longer breathe out fire. The fruit looked like the scales of an ancient monster and was hidden deep inside its body, which is why it had such a pleasant taste. According to Eastern legend, people’s love for this taste destroyed all the dragons.

The white flowers of the pitahaya cactus vine are brewed into drinks and tea.

Dragon fruit pulp is best eaten chilled; its taste becomes brighter.

The strange nature of distant countries never ceases to amaze us with its exotic gifts. One of these gifts is pitaya. This fruit, Dragon Heart, has beneficial properties. It appeared in our country quite recently, so Russians are not yet accustomed to it. Let's figure out how to eat it, what beneficial properties it has and what you need to know about it.

Pitahaya, or pitaya, is the fruit of a tree-like cactus. This fruit comes from tropical countries in South America. However, today it has spread widely in the tropical zone of the Earth, so it is grown in Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. The fruit is known by many names: “dragon fruit”, “dragon heart”, “dragon eye” and many others. The fruit got its names associated with dragons because of its characteristic shape. There are many beautiful legends associated with it.

The shape of the fruit is somewhat similar to a fir cone; it is also covered with large scales - growths.

But this is where the similarity ends, because the scales are soft and greenish, and the fruit itself has a color from bright pink to red. The fruit has a round shape, so it resembles a red heart engulfed in a greenish flame. The name Dragon Heart comes from this shape. In favorable conditions, the weight of pitaya can reach 1 kg, but more often the fruits grow from 200 to 700 g.

The dense peel is not edible, but it is easily removed, revealing the white pulp of a creamy consistency. Depending on the variety, the flesh may also be creamy, pink or bright red. But it always contains a lot of small black seeds. The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour, reminiscent of a cross between a banana and kiwi.

There are several varieties of pitaya:

1. Red. This variety has a bright pink skin and white or creamy flesh. The taste is fresh-sweet, and the smell is reminiscent of herbs.
2. Yellow. The shell of this variety is bright yellow, reminiscent of a quince or banana in color. The taste is closer to sweet than sour, and the aroma is quite strong and pleasant.
3. Costa Rican. This variety has both skin and flesh that are red in color. The taste is very bright, even somewhat cloying.

Pitaya is widely used in the national cuisines of Southeast Asia. The pulp of the fruit is eaten fresh and added to salads and baked goods. Thanks to its bright and unusual appearance, the fruit becomes an excellent table decoration. And folk traditions of a number of countries prescribe the use of the Dragon’s Heart for wedding photo sessions.

Pitahaya is not only tasty, but also healthy. Its pulp is a real storehouse of vitamins and beneficial microelements. The fruits contain:

• Vitamins C, B1, B3.
• Microelements: iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium.
• Plant fiber plays an important role in normalizing digestive processes.
• Ash.
• The seeds are rich in tannins.

An important feature of pitaya is the high concentration in the pulp of substances that can bind free radicals. Therefore, eating pitaya allows you to slow down the aging process, reduce the risk of developing cancer, and strengthen the body’s defense systems.

Also, this exotic fruit is able to correct carbohydrate metabolism disorders, reducing or increasing the amount of sugar in the blood.

In addition, pitaya has a beneficial effect on joints, relieving arthritis and arthrosis. Dragon Heart will also be appreciated by those who are on a diet. The fruit is low in calories, 100 g of pulp contains only 50 kcal. At the same time, the taste qualities will not leave even the most demanding gourmets indifferent.

Exotic fruits amaze the imagination, but when it comes to eating them, they can be a dead end. The question of how to eat the outlandish Dragon Heart also comes up quite often. It is worth remembering that only the pulp is used for food, and the shell, although very decorative, is not suitable for food.

There are two main ways to consume this fruit:

1. The fruit is cut in half, and then the pulp is eaten with a teaspoon, removing it from the shell, like ice cream from a bowl.
2. The peel is removed from the fruit, and the pulp is cut into slices before serving.

National traditions of serving this fruit recommend serving slices of the “dragon’s heart” pulp in its peeled-off shell. You can also add various nuts and pieces of other fruits to them. Served in this way, pitaya will delight not only the taste, but also the gourmet’s eye and will become a real decoration of the table.

The small seeds that are dotted with pitaya pulp can also be used as food. They are rich in nutrients and have a beneficial effect on the body when consumed. However, in order for the body to use the beneficial substances hidden in the seeds, they must be thoroughly chewed before swallowing.

The abundance of useful substances has made Dragon Heart a plant widely used in folk medicine. This fruit is used to treat a number of diseases:

• Problems with the pancreas. For diabetes mellitus, Dragon's Heart can alleviate the patient's condition by normalizing the amount of sugar in the blood.
• Increased acidity of gastric juice and associated diseases.
• Problems with the immune system, reducing the body's ability to fight disease. Strengthening the immune system is ensured by the high concentration of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in this product.
• Diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
• Decreased visual acuity.
• A rich set of vitamins and microelements normalizes metabolism, which contributes to the overall health of the body.

It’s not just the fruits that have beneficial properties. Preparations for the treatment of helminthiasis are made from the stems of pitaya. Dragon's heart seeds, rich in tannins and phenolic compounds, are used to make drugs to treat diarrhea, relieve heavy metal poisoning, and treat throat diseases.

The pulp of the fruit is also used for cosmetic purposes.

A pitaya mask relieves sunburn. This knowledge will be especially useful for tourists traveling to Southeast Asia to sunbathe on the beaches. In addition, fruit pulp puree tones the skin and produces a rejuvenating effect.

And of course, Dragon Heart is just a very tasty and beautiful fruit. It is used to make fruit salads, alcoholic drinks, and sweets.

Any exotic fruit usually causes some concern: is it possible to eat it, are there any contraindications? Pitaya also requires some care.

If the family has a small child (under 3 years old) who has previously had diathesis, it is not recommended to give him pitaya pulp.

Since this fruit is not familiar to most Russians, there is a risk of developing an allergy when using it for the first time. Therefore, it is better to start trying this fruit with a small piece, and then wait a while. And if any allergy symptoms begin to appear (itching, redness of the skin, difficulty breathing, runny nose), then take antihistamines. If everything went well, you can safely enjoy the wonderful taste of “dragon fruit”.

There are practically no other contraindications to consuming this fruit. But moderation should be observed, since overeating can cause digestive upset (diarrhea, heartburn, bloating). This rule should be followed for all exotic fruits.

Dragon Heart fruits spoil very quickly and transporting them is quite difficult. Therefore, in our country this fruit is still exotic. It is easier to try pitaya in its homeland, in Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. When choosing a fruit, you should be guided by several rules:

• The average size of a ripe fruit is about a quarter of a kilogram. You should not choose fruits that are too small or too large, so as not to encounter overripe or unripe fruits.
• The color of the peel, regardless of the variety, should be even and rich. If the color is uneven, most likely the fruit is not yet ripe.
• Feel the fruit before purchasing. Unripe fruits are hard, while ripe ones are noticeably softer.
• Pay attention to the leafy scales on the peel. If they are dried out and not green, it means that the fruit was picked a long time ago and could have spoiled.
• Carefully inspect the peel of the fruit before purchasing. If there are cracks, spots, or rotten places on it, the fruit is not fresh and you should refuse to buy it.

A ripe Dragon Heart spoils very quickly. You need to store purchased fruits in the refrigerator, and no longer than 4 days. If you buy fruit in Russia for some kind of celebration, it is better to choose a slightly unripe specimen. It will last longer and will gradually reach a ripe state even when stored in the refrigerator.

Pitaya is an excellent decoration for any holiday table. Correctly selected and served fruit will give an unforgettable experience. And its unusual appearance will surprise guests and make the holiday more vivid and memorable.

More information can be found in the video:

Whatever they call this unusual looking fruit! Pitahaya, pitaya, dragonfruit, dragon fruit, etc. The most famous name is pitahaya. This cosmic fruit does not grow on a tree, nor on a bush, nor on a vine, but on cacti.

The most frequently asked questions about pitahaya

What does pitahaya taste like??

Pale, not clearly expressed, barely perceptible. Although sometimes you come across super-high-quality fruits that are truly sweet. Chilled pitahaya from the refrigerator is especially tasty. It's so light and refreshing! And the taste seems to become brighter after cooling.

What is the consistency of pitahaya??

There is something similar to kiwi, only kiwi is even softer. And they even have the same seeds - many small edible black seeds, exactly like kiwis.

What is the flavor of pitahaya??

Almost no smell.

How to choose pitahaya?

Ripe pitahaya should be slightly soft when pressed (evenly throughout the fruit). At the same time, there should be no dents or rotten areas on it, pay attention to this. And also, the burgundy the peel, the better - usually such fruits are sweeter.

How to clean and eat pitahaya?

There are several options for cutting, cleaning and eating pitahaya:

1) Just peel the fruit, much like a banana, and then just bite into the pulp, like an apple:

2) Cut the pitahaya in half, and then eat each half, removing the peel:

3) Cut the pitahaya into 4 parts, hold on to the peel and eat the pulp:

4) Make cuts only along the peel (in the form of a cross), without cutting through the flesh, then remove the skin along them, as if opening a flower bud:

Is it possible to taste and love pitahaya the first time??

This is one of the few tropical fruits that everyone likes immediately, from the very first try. It happened to me too, I tried pitahaya in China and fell in love with it. But then I switched to and fell out of love with this fruit; it began to seem bland to me compared to all other fruits. I fell in love with it again after another 3.5 years - I tried delicious pitahaya in Vietnam.

Where does it grow the most??

In and Vietnam. In Indonesia and Malaysia there is little pitahaya; in the Philippines it is all imported.

In which country does pitahaya taste better??

In Vietnam.

Pitahaya season?

Fruits all year round. In Thailand, for example, there are plenty of pitahayas in absolutely every month of the year.

Calorie content of pitahaya?

This is a very light and juicy fruit, low in calories, only 39 kcal per 100 g.

What effect does it have on the body??

Pitahaya is poorly digestible and almost always causes diarrhea.

Varieties and types of pitahaya

There are 3 main varieties of pitahaya: pink with white flesh, pink with raspberry flesh and yellow with white flesh. Color is not the only difference between them; they also differ in taste. The most common is pink pitahaya with white flesh. In second place is with raspberry pulp. In third place is yellow pitahaya.

Yellow Pitahaya:

Classic, most common pitahaya:

How many wonderful gifts nature has given us. And many of them never tire of surprising us with their unusual shapes, colors and other details. This is exactly what the “dragon heart” fruit is, unlike anything else. What kind of miracle is this? Where does it grow? What does it look like? Is this fruit healthy? And how to eat it correctly?

An entertaining legend about dragons

There are a lot of legends and stories about the origin of this wonderful fruit. For example, one of them has its roots in distant and warm Thailand, where ancient dragons once lived. In the struggle for their survival, these strange animals were forced to constantly fight with people. Moreover, each battle was very difficult and dangerous. They say that, despite all their strength and supernatural abilities, dragons could not defeat strong-willed people.

In the midst of the battle itself, the deprived beast could no longer breathe fire. On the contrary, instead of a flame, an amazing fruit (“dragon heart”) appeared from his mouth every time. In order to get this amazing fruit, people began to exterminate dragons, which eventually simply died out.

Some information about the name

The famous Vietnamese fruit “dragon heart”, which has American roots, received its name due to its visual similarity to a huge heart covered in flames. This is exactly what, according to many legends, beat in the chests of deadly dragons. By the way, this fruit is also called differently, for example, “dragon eye”, “dragon fruit” or “dragon heart”. However, from a scientific point of view, this unusual product is usually called pitaya or pitahaya.

A brief excursion into botanical chronicles

The dragon's heart fruit, or pitaya, belongs to plants from the Cactus family. Its habitat is considered to be Central and South America, hot Mexico. Currently, this plant is grown in Indonesia, China, Thailand, Japan, Australia, Israel, as well as the Philippines and Hawaii.

Pitahaya, like an unusual mythical plant, blooms exclusively at night. It thrives in tropical climates and begins to bear fruit approximately 30-50 days after the first flowers bloom. Despite such a rapid transition from flowering to fruit appearance, the plant belongs to the category of super-yielding. Under favorable conditions, it is possible to obtain up to 5-6 harvests per year from one adult representative of the species. In terms of its taste, the fruit is in no way inferior to the sweetness of a banana and the acidity of a slightly unripe kiwi.

External features of the fetus

Externally, the dragon's heart fruit can't be confused with anything. This is most often an elongated fruit with a bright pink skin that resembles plate-like growths. Fruits of yellow, white and red colors are much less common. The weight of one such fruit is 150-180 grams.

It easily fits in the palm of your hand like a large and juicy apple. Sometimes real giants can be found, whose mass reaches 1.6-2 kg. The fruits grow on peculiar long and rather fleshy green shoots, reminiscent of frequent branches of a cactus. The fruits ripen at the very tips of these branches, which bend straight down to the ground. The spectacle, let's say, is simply incredible.

What's inside the fruit?

When the fruit is cut in half, you can see its creamy, white or purple flesh, densely dotted with black seeds. In this case, everything will depend on the variety of pitaya. According to many users who managed to try this exotic “yummy”, the fruit has a pleasant and slightly sweet smell.

Where is the product used?

As a rule, the “dragon heart” (a fruit whose photo can be seen below) is used to decorate holiday tables. It is used during a wedding photo shoot. The popularity of this fruit is due to its unusual appearance, which gives any decor and photo a special exotic flavor. In the homeland of the wonder, it is used to prepare fresh salads, alcoholic drinks, desserts, and even added to baked goods.

What beneficial properties does it have?

Despite all its exoticism and unusual appearance, the fruit has a fairly large list of useful qualities. In particular, experts talk about the high content of fruit acids, minerals, antioxidants, coarse dietary fiber and vitamin C, so beloved by many.

Pitaya also contains a lot of fiber, and it is this that allows you to remove excess toxins and harmful substances from our body. Thanks to these features, regular consumption of this fruit allows you to maintain the intestines in ideal condition. Our amazing fruit (“dragon heart”) does all this. Beneficial features However, it is not limited to the content of solid fibers that improve the digestion process.

It also contains natural radicals that rid our body of the danger of cancer, strengthen the immune system and reverse the aging process. Moreover, this fruit is recommended not only for fruit lovers, but also for diabetics. According to experts, it is pitaya that can normalize the lack or excess of sugar in the blood. Pitahaya is indispensable for people suffering from arthritis and arthrosis, as it relieves inflammation in sore joints and stimulates blood renewal.

Favorite fruit of fasting and dieters

Due to its low calorie content, pitaya is a favorite delicacy for fasting people and those on a diet. Its calorie content is about 50 kcal. And this is in just 100 grams of fresh fruit pulp. Therefore, a drink or salad made from “dragon heart” will suit even the most demanding gourmet.

“Dragon Heart” (fruit): how to eat it

Outlandish fruits always amaze the imagination not only with their appearance, but also often become the subject of discussion. In particular, the topic of discussion is issues related to how to eat pitaya. As it turned out, only the pulp of this fruit is edible. Its shell can serve as decoration, but no one eats it.

You can eat the “dragon heart” in one of the following ways:

• Cut in half and use a regular teaspoon to eat the middle.
• Cut out the core and chop it into pieces or slices.

In this case, the crushed parts of the fruit are often folded into the empty pitaya shell. All this can be supplemented with other edible seeds, nuts, seeds, pomegranate seeds and fruits. By the way, the seeds themselves, which are densely dotted with the pulp of the product, must be chewed thoroughly and only then swallowed. Thus, the nutrients extracted from them will reach their destination. And you will get an unforgettable holiday feeling and experience truly heavenly pleasure. Now you know the name of the “dragon heart” fruit and its external characteristics. Therefore, if you meet it in a store, you will not be able to confuse it with any other fruit.

Do you love fruits and would like to try some exotic fruit? In that case, we bring to your attention dragon fruit. And let me assure you that it is not an invention from an oriental fairy tale, but a real-life fruit. We'll tell you more about its origins later, but before we do, we want to highlight that dragon fruit has numerous health benefits that you didn't even know about. At least we know at least 27 incredible benefits of this fruit. If you are interested, then you will like this article!

What kind of fruit is pitaya?

The scientific name of the fruit is hylocereus undatus. It belongs to the family of climbing epiphytic liana-like cacti. Country of origin: South America. Other names for the overseas fruit: pitaya, night blooming echinocereus, strawberry pear and queen of the night.

Pitaya or dragon fruit as it is also known is native to South America. Over time, its cultivation spread to Southeast Asia. This fruit is common in the countries of China, Thailand and Vietnam. Dragon fruit gets its name from its skin, which looks like the skin of a yellow or red dragon, with green scales.

Despite its availability all over the world, pitaya is not easy to find in Russian supermarkets. Meanwhile, her popularity is gaining momentum. The fruit is usually found in tropical and subtropical regions. Dragon fruit is one of those exotic fruits that has many benefits for skin, hair and health.

Dragon fruit

If you look closely at this fruit, it will become clear why it received the name dragon fruit. The peel is similar in color and scales to the Chinese dragon - red, yellow and green.

The uniqueness of this fruit from the cactus family lies in the fact that pitaya flowers bloom for a very short time and, as a rule, fade by morning. They can safely rely on nocturnal pollinators - bats and moths. Even though the flower dies, the plant bears fruit approximately six times a year. The peak season is in summer and early autumn.

What varieties of pitaya are there and what does this fruit taste like?

There are basically two varieties of this incredible fruit: white-fleshed and red-fleshed (red dragon fruit). Both of these varieties can have red or yellow peel color (this makes them slightly similar to pineapples). Inside is a cluster of small, black, edible seeds, and the fruit itself tastes like a cross between kiwi and pear, but with a crunchy texture.

Useful substances in the composition

This fruit has a huge amount of phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals. He's rich

• antioxidants,
• vitamin C,
• polyunsaturated fatty acids,
• carotene
• and protein.

Dragon fruit contains very little complex carbohydrates and thiamine, which help in breaking down food in the body. Pitaya also has phytochemical captin, which plays an important role in maintaining heart health.

What's good about dragon fruit?

The benefits of dragon fruit for skin, hair and health are widespread. Now you will find out what is good about this non-standard fruit, unlike other fruits.

Beneficial properties of pitaya for skin

This strange-looking fruit is the solution to all skin problems. It helps treat severe sunburn and acne and leaves your skin looking beautiful and healthy like never before.

The healing effects you will experience from including dragon fruit in your daily skin care diet:

1. Fights signs of aging

   Wrinkles, sagging and loss of skin firmness are all signs that appear as skin begins to age. This life stage may lead you to start looking for solutions to skin problems among cosmetics that are not always available and have their own disadvantages.

   So why subject your skin to chemicals when there is a natural and inexpensive remedy?

   Aging is caused by cellular damage caused by free radicals found in the body. However, this process does not happen in one day, so you should not worry too much in advance. Nobody wants to look older than they actually are. An excellent way to prevent premature aging is pitaya and its natural ingredients.

   This exotic fruit is a rich source of antioxidants that help fight free radicals and slow down the aging process. This helps the skin look younger and smoother.

   To make your skin firm and get rid of wrinkles, you can use this mask weekly.

   Ingredients: 1/2 dragon fruit, 1 tablespoon yogurt.

   Preparation:

   Using a spoon, scrape out the dragon fruit pulp and make a smooth paste.

   Add yogurt to the mixture

   Apply to face and neck, leave for 20 minutes.

   Rinse with warm water, pat dry with a soft towel.

   It is advisable to repeat this process once a week for two months to get rid of the signs of aging.

2. Treats acne

   Acne is a consequence of oily skin, which usually occurs in the first years of puberty, but sometimes accompanies a person even until the age of thirty. This problem brings irritation and discomfort, but you should not give up, but think about the possibility of resolving this issue.

   The solution is an exotic fruit that, when applied topically, can reduce acne. This is facilitated by the abundance of vitamin C in pitaya.

   So, here's how you can use this amazing fruit in your fight against acne.

   What you will need: 1/4 pitaya fruit, 3-4 cotton pads

   What to do:

   Scoop out the dragon fruit pulp with a spoon and mash until smooth using a fork.

   Using a cotton pad, blot the affected area. When using the mass elsewhere, it is better to use a fresh cotton pad to avoid spreading bacteria.

   Leave for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.

   Do not wipe your face, but let it dry on its own.

   To get rid of acne, you need to repeat this procedure twice a week.

3. Soothes tanned skin

   Swimming in the hot open sun without wearing sunscreen can cause severe burns and blisters. In such cases, a pitaya-based remedy can help soothe redness and inflammation.

   As mentioned, dragon fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamins E and C have been scientifically proven to protect the skin from UV rays and soothe sunburn.

   Ingredients: 1/4 strawberry pear fruit, 1 capsule of vitamin E.

   What need to do:

   Using a spoon, scrape out the dragon fruit pulp and mash with a fork until smooth.

   Puncture vitamin E capsules and add it to fruit puree.

   Apply the mixture to the tanned area. For best effect, leave for 30 minutes.

   Rinse off with cold water. Do not wipe your face, but let it dry.

   Use every two days until symptoms subside.

4. Promotes healthy skin

   Achieving healthy and glowing skin is no longer a difficult task. It is important to watch what you eat, exercise more, and then you will notice changes in yourself.

   Adding pitaya to your diet can also do a lot of good for your skin.

   A great start to the day would be a glass of pitaya juice. It will not only make you healthy, but will also help rid your body of toxins, thereby making your skin glowing.

   This fruit contains a lot of antioxidants, which perfectly cleanse the body of free radicals and get rid of sagging and dull skin. Additionally, dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C, which helps brighten the skin.

5. Provides essential hydration to dry skin

   Dragon fruit also has an incredibly high water content (as much as 90%). Liquid is important as it provides hydration to the skin, especially if it is too dry.

   It is for this reason that it is worth including pitaya in your diet, especially in winter, when the skin is most susceptible to dryness.

Beneficial properties of pitaya for hair

It's not easy to achieve and maintain strong, healthy hair. New hair care brands appear on the market quite often. In pursuit of the best product, repeated frequent experiments can harm the health of your hair. Strawberry pear will be a wonderful, natural hair care product. Moreover, this product is available to everyone, since it is many times cheaper than cosmetic products from well-known brands.

Health Benefits of Pitaya

After the topic of beauty, we can’t help but talk about health. In theory, this topic should be covered first, since health is the most important. But the health benefits of this fruit are much greater than those for hair, so we decided to start with less.

So, let's not beat around the bush, but let's start looking at the health benefits of pitaya. We can say with great confidence that after familiarizing yourself with the positive qualities of the fruit, you will love it even more.

1. Reduces cholesterol levels

   What do you think is the most common disease today?

   Any guesses? Here's a hint: it has to do with lifestyle and poor food choices.

   This is high cholesterol. Most likely, you will not be at all surprised if we tell you that more than 39% of the world's population suffers from this disease. Among the male population, about 40% of people are susceptible to this disease; among women there are more of them. High cholesterol is responsible for about 2.6 million deaths annually.

   Sounds scary, doesn't it?

   But don't worry, certain lifestyle changes, including including some fruits and vegetables in your diet, can help you get rid of this condition. Dragon fruit is one such healthy food.

   Night-blooming Echinocereus can lower cholesterol levels, but this does not mean that it completely eliminates all fats. In fact, some fats are simply necessary for the normal functioning of the body, just like unsaturated fats. Dragon fruit seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fats, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which help lower cholesterol levels.

   All this, plus the mass of antioxidants in pitaya, make the fruit a good remedy for combating high cholesterol.

2. Helps with stomach diseases

   This unique fruit can help treat certain stomach ailments such as indigestion and constipation. And it will do it without harm to you.

   Dragon fruit is rich in fiber and contains a lot of water, making it beneficial for people suffering from constipation. The fruits help improve intestinal motility, facilitating the proper passage of digested food through the intestinal tract. Its fibers also help normalize stool and help in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
   Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of intestinal motility and pain in the lower abdomen. What are the symptoms of this disease, how to diagnose and treat it yourself? .

3. Reduces blood sugar levels

   Another terrible disease after high cholesterol is diabetes. Fluctuations in blood sugar levels force a person to make serious sacrifices - giving up sugar and living on a carbohydrate-free diet. If you have a sweet tooth, this will be an even more difficult challenge for you.

   Luckily, there are several fruits that help keep your blood sugar levels normal so you can enjoy life without any restrictions.

   Some studies have found that dragon fruit helps regulate blood sugar levels in diabetics.

   What benefits does pitaya have for diabetes?

   Everything is very simple. Dragon fruit is a source of polyphenols, carotenoids, thiols, tocopherols and glucosinolates, which help lower blood sugar levels. In addition, fruits contain a lot of fiber, which helps suppress the spikes in sugar levels that occur after every high glycemic index meal.

4. Improves cardiovascular health

   Eating dragon fruit can help keep your heart healthy.

   Firstly, pitaya on the menu normalizes cholesterol levels. It also controls oxidative damage caused by free radicals and reduces arterial stiffness, which reduces the risk of heart attack (discussed in the previous point).

   In addition, this fruit is rich in monosaturated fats, which is very important for maintaining a healthy heart.

5. Reduces the risk of low hemoglobin

   Anemia is a common condition among women that should never be ignored. Fluctuations in hemoglobin levels and their decrease to a critical level can lead to kidney failure. Dragon fruit is a great way to prevent anemia.

   Strawberry pear is rich in iron, containing 8% of the daily value. In addition, pitaya contains a lot of vitamin C, which increases the body's ability to absorb iron. So, don’t wait, but rather go and check out the incredible benefits of this fruit for yourself.

6. Helps manage weight

   This point will be especially interesting for those losing weight.

   Everyone knows that when you change your diet and diet, taste preferences change. Obviously, it is very important to stick to one or two diets throughout the entire weight loss period. But the majority cannot adhere to an unusual regime for a long time. The reason for this can be explained in two words – boring and monotonous.

   You can diversify your boring diet with dragon fruit or dragon fruit tea.

   In addition to the fact that this fruit is delicious, it has a significantly low calorie content - 60 kcal per 100 grams. This makes it an ideal replacement for a regular fruit diet. In addition, this fruit is approximately 90% water and contains a large amount of fiber. This property gives a feeling of fullness for a long period, thereby preventing overeating.

7. Prevents cancer

   It may seem quite fantastic, but studies have shown that pitaya has the ability to inhibit the proliferation of dangerous cancer cells.

   Dragon fruit is rich in an enzyme called lycopene, in addition to vitamin C and carotene, which have anti-carcinogenic properties. Together, these substances help prevent the formation of tumors.

   In addition, the peel of the fruit contains polyphenols and chemicals that can protect against certain types of cancer.

8. Prevents congenital glaucoma

   A study found that consuming dragon fruit may help prevent congenital glaucoma.

   Strawberry pear has the ability to suppress human cytochrome P450. The protein is usually found in the liver, and may help the normal functioning of the lungs and kidneys. This protein is also associated with the ability to prevent congenital glaucoma.

9. Boosts immunity

   Pitaya is characterized by a high content of vitamin C, hence its ability to improve immunity.

   Dragon fruit also helps stimulate the activity of other antioxidants. The presence of several essential and strong vitamins and minerals such as niacin, vitamin B1, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, iron makes it an effective remedy against any bacterial and viral attacks.

10. Helps relieve arthritis pain

    Arthritis is often accompanied by severe pain, irritation and limited mobility. All these unpleasant symptoms arise due to the direct effect of arthritis on the joints. Fortunately, some fruits and vegetables can help combat these ailments, including the fruit that is the focus of this article.

    Strawberry pear has great potential in relieving arthritic pain. This is due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the overseas fruit.

    If you want to say goodbye to arthritic pain as soon as possible, include this amazing fruit in your daily diet.

11. Useful during pregnancy

    Expectant mothers should definitely include dragon fruit in their menu.

    We have prepared a long list of benefits of pitaya during pregnancy:

    This fruit contains iron necessary for the production of red blood cells (erythrocytes). Currently, an alarming trend is the following fact: six out of ten women experience anemia during pregnancy. Dragon fruit, with its high iron content, will be a good way to get rid of low hemoglobin levels. This is important not only for the woman, but also for the growing fetus, since red blood cells play a big role in delivering the oxygen and nutrients the baby needs.

    Now about carbohydrates. The expectant mother needs a lot of carbohydrates to provide the necessary energy boost.

    Another important requirement for pregnant women is folic acid. This vitamin, in addition to helping in the formation of red blood cells, helps prevent the baby from neural tube defects.

    Having high fiber content helps prevent common digestive problems during pregnancy.

    Judging by the above benefits, dragon fruit is a great idea for expectant mothers. Don't you think so?

12. Prevents kidney disease and bone disease

    This particular disease is associated with kidney failure, which causes the bones to become weak and brittle. This occurs because weak kidneys and the renal system cannot activate vitamin D to absorb calcium, which is most important for maintaining bone strength.