Dragon Fruit
WHAT BENEFITS DOes dragon fruit HAVE FOR MY HEALTH?
WHAT BENEFITS DOes dragon fruit HAVE FOR MY HEALTH?
Dragon fruit is “an exotic tropical plant that brings multiple benefits to human health thanks to its high nutritional value and bioactive compounds” (Luu et al. 71-94). These benefits include “antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, prebiotic, antibacterial, antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities, and blood lipid profile improvement” (Le 2571-1580).
The micronutrients in dragon fruit can play a huge role in “protecting your body from free radicals, producing collagen for strong ligaments and tendons, and for enhancing the function of your blood, bones, and muscles” (Bible).
While our bodies are pushed in workouts, these enhanced functions can improve our muscle recovery, joint pain, and overall experience. More specifically, one way that athletes can benefit from dragon fruit lies in the recovery process. One study found that dragon fruit “has potential in lowering lactic acid level” (Harahap). Lactic acids are most noticeable as the components that bring muscle soreness following exercise. Lowering the pain level and enhancing muscle recovery is a big benefit found in dragon fruit.
Sources:
Bible, Adam. “Fuel Your Gains With Dragon Fruit.” Muscle & Fitness, JW Media, https://www.muscleandfitness.com/nutrition/gain-mass/fuel-your-gains-dragon-fruit/. Accessed 21 November 2022.
Le, Ngoc Lieu. “Functional compounds in dragon fruit peels and their potential health benefits: a review.” Institute of Food Science + Technology, vol. 57, no. 5, 2021, pp. 2571-2580. https://ifst.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/, https://ifst.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ijfs.15111. Accessed 21 November 2022.
Luu, Thi-Thuy-Hai, et al. “Dragon fruit: A review of health benefits and nutrients and its sustainable development under climate changes in Vietnam.” CZECH JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCES, vol. 39, no. 2, 2021, pp. 71-94. agriculturejournals.cz, https://www.agriculturejournals.cz/web/cjfs.htm?type=article&id=139_2020-CJFS. Accessed 21 November 2022.
Harahap NS, Amelia R. Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus Polyrhizus) Extract Decreases Lactic Acid Level and Creatine Kinase Activity in Rats Receiving Heavy Physical Exercise. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019 Jul 20;7(14):2232-2235. doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.626. PMID: 31592070; PMCID: PMC6765083.
