Pitahaya benefits and contraindications We have been asked the following: What are the contraindications of pitahaya? Does pitahaya have contraindications? What are the side effects of pitahaya? What are the contraindications of pitaya and effects? Could you tell me if the pitaya properties and contraindications?
Here are the answers to these questions:
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General features
Pitahaya or dragon fruit have great health benefits. However, it also has contraindications and side effects that we will discuss below.
This fruit is oval in shape and about the size of a baseball or softball. They have a yellow or red shell with green scales. The texture of the dragon fruit flesh can be compared to a watermelon or kiwi, and cultivars with pink flesh are thought to be more flavorful. All dragon fruits have seeds that are similar to the size of kiwi seeds.
Historic information Dragon fruit or pitahaya is native to Central America, where it is generally known as pitahaya in Mexico and pitaya roja in the rest of central and northern South America.
According to Aztec literature, pitahaya fruits were consumed as early as the 13th century. The French are believed to have brought the fruit to Vietnam, where it is now widely cultivated, from Nicaragua and Colombia. Others claim that it came from South American Guyana around 1870.
Economic data Dragon fruit is believed to be native to Mexico, as well as Central and South America. However, there are many other countries outside of North and South America that commercially produce the fruit, including Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Israel. The United States imports most of its white-fleshed fruits from Southeast Asia, primarily Vietnam.
Dragon fruit acreage within the United States is growing, but is still limited. California is the top producer, followed by Florida and Hawaii. The demand for this emerging new crop is currently higher than the supply, creating an opportunity for more commercial farms to open across the country.
Other uses Dragon fruit can be used for anti-aging face masks due to its high amount of antioxidants. A paste is made from the fruit with yogurt. After letting the paste sit on your face for 20 minutes, you can wash it off with lukewarm water. Making a straight paste from the pulp of the fruit helps to treat acne.
Dragon fruit has been gaining popularity over the past two decades for more than just its unique appearance. This fruit helps to increase immunity and reduce bad cholesterol levels among other functions. Since it is present as a main ingredient in more than just food products, consumers can find it year-round or try to produce it themselves under the right growing conditions. Next, we are going to learn more about the pitahaya properties and contraindications
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Pitahaya Properties and contraindications
Properties of pitaya or dragon fruit for general health
Pitahaya or dragon fruit is considered to help the body in:
Help stabilize blood sugar. Dragon fruit has been shown to improve glucose metabolism, keeping blood sugar levels stable in people with hyperglycemia and diabetes.
Lower cholesterol levels. Dragon fruit provides a healthy amount of monounsaturated fat, which helps lower harmful LDL cholesterol and promotes cardiovascular health.
Strengthen immunity This fruit is rich in vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system by improving the activity of white blood cells to fight infection.
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Pitahaya properties for skin and hair
Anti-aging properties: Pitaya is rich in antioxidants that help fight free radicals that cause premature aging and cell damage. Additionally, dragon fruit contains vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that can neutralize these free radicals and slow down the aging process. If you want to prevent sun damage, consuming vitamin C-rich superfoods like Pitaya can be just as important as using sunscreen.
collagen production: Vitamin C activates fibroblasts that produce new collagen to keep your skin strong and firm. If you are looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, try incorporating dragon fruit into your daily diet. You can do this by making a refreshing Vitamin C Bowl daily or a Super Berry Smoothie if you’re on the go.
Production of skin cells: Vitamin A is another great vitamin found in dragon fruit that can lend a hand in keeping your skin glowing and youthful. We need vitamin A and carotenoids to stimulate skin cell production, so a lack of these vitamins can lead to weakened skin.
Hair growth: Dragon fruit contains iron, which is responsible for carrying oxygen to the hair roots. This allows your hair to grow. Starting your day with a breakfast bowl of dragon fruit will bring you closer to meeting your daily recommended iron intake and prevent a deficiency that can stunt hair growth.
prevent breakage: B vitamins create red blood cells that carry oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the scalp and hair follicles. The pitaya has vitamins B1, B2 and B3 that promote healthy hair growth and can prevent breakage and loss.
know remedies Remedies with pitahaya for constipation and more
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How does it work
In addition to normalizing bowel movements to promote gastrointestinal health, high-fiber foods can help regulate diabetes by keeping blood sugar levels even. Since fiber is indigestible, it prevents the body from producing too much insulin.
Excess insulin blocks the use of stored glucose and prevents the body from making glucose from foods that do not contain carbohydrates. This can lead to a daily fluctuation in glucose levels.
Dragon fruit also provides consumers with a healthy amount of monounsaturated fats, which help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and increase levels of good cholesterol (HDL). LDL cholesterol forms plaque inside the arteries, making them less flexible.
Heart attacks or strokes occur when a clot forms in a blocked artery. HDL cholesterol helps remove LDL cholesterol from the arteries by carrying it to the liver. In that organ, LDL cholesterol is broken down and excreted from the body, which promotes cardiovascular health. To complete the topic of pitahaya properties and contraindications, let’s see its adverse effects below.
Pitahaya juice to reduce waist and abdomen
Learn more recipes pitahaya or pitaya juices to lose weight
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What are its contraindications and side effects?
Contraindications of pitahaya #1 Diarrhea Eating excessive amounts can cause diarrhea due to the laxative properties of the fruit. Excessive consumption can also lead to a harmless reddish tint in the urine or stool, known as pseudohematuria.
Contraindications of pitahaya #2 May interact with some medications It is very likely that everyone can consume dragon fruit in normal servings; however, it is not recommended to consume dragon fruit if you are taking medication for diabetes, as it can interact with the drug, which could increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia is a condition in which our blood sugar drops to an abnormally low level, leading to symptoms such as excessive sweating, excessive hunger, fainting, fatigue, dizziness, brain fog, and lip tingling, etc.
Contraindications of pitahaya #3 Excess Potassium This fruit can have too much potassium in our system, it can reduce our blood pressure to a very low level, leading to hypotension. Hypotension is a condition that occurs when the blood pressure inside our body falls below the normal range and is characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, nausea, depression, blurred vision, and loss of consciousness, etc.
And, if you suffer from high blood pressure and are already taking medication for the same, then it is better to limit your intake of dragon fruit, as it can otherwise interfere with the working of your blood pressure medications.
Always consult with a trusted medical professional before making drastic dietary changes or starting a supplement plan.
If you want to know more about pitahaya properties and contraindications, you can ask your questions in the comments section below this article.
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