· Learn the complete nutritional profile of dragonfruit and explore its potential health benefits according to the latest scientific research. To preserve most of its flavor and nutrients, the dragonfruit is usually eaten raw as a healthy snack or it is pureed into smoothies. The rest of this article provides details of the nutritionalvalue, calorie count and the health benefits of the dragonfruit. Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that’s low in calories and high in fiber and antioxidants. Some people say it tastes like a cross between a pear and a kiwi. You can slice and eat the fruit as-is, try it with yogurt, or add it to a smoothie or salad.Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that has become increasingly popular in recent years.Though people primarily enjoy it for its unique look and taste, evidence suggests it may provide health benefits as well.This article takes a look at dragon fruit, including its nutrition, benefits, and how to eat it.See full list on healthline.comDragon fruit grows on the Hylocereus cactus, also known as the Honolulu queen, whose flowers only open at night.The plant is native to southern Mexico and Central America. Today, it is grown all over the world.It goes by many names, including pitaya, pitahaya, and strawberry pear.The two most common types have bright red skin with green scales that resemble a dragon — hence the name.The most widely available variety has white pulp with black seeds, though a less common type with red pulp and black seeds exists as well.Another variety — referred to as yellow dragon fruit — has yellow skin and white pulp with black seeds.See full list on healthline.comDragon fruit contains small amounts of several nutrients. It’s also a decent source of iron, magnesium, and fiber.Here are the nutrition facts for a serving of 3.5 ounces, or 100 grams (1):•Calories: 57•Protein: 0.36 grams•Fat: 0.14 grams•Carbs: 15 gramsSee full list on healthline.comDragon fruit contains several types of antioxidants.These are compounds that protect your cells from unstable molecules called free radicals, which are linked to chronic diseases and aging (2).These are some of the main antioxidants contained in dragon fruit pulp (3):•Betalains: Found in the pulp of red dragon fruit, these deep red pigments have been shown to significantly reduce total cholesterol, LDL, and other health risk factor markers (4).•Hydroxycinnamates: This group of compounds has demonstrated anticancer activity in test-tube and animal studies (5).•Flavonoids: This large, diverse group of antioxidants is linked to better brain health and a reduced risk of heart disease (6, 7).See full list on healthline.comAnimal studies suggest that dragon fruit may provide various health benefits.Many of these are likely due to its fiber and antioxidant content.Both red and white varieties of dragon fruit have been shown to reduce insulin resistance and fatty liver in obese mice (9, 10, 11).In one study, mice on a high-fat diet who received an extract of the fruit gained less weight and had reductions in liver fat, insulin resistance, and inflammation, which were attributed in part to beneficial changes in gut bacteria (11).Dragon fruit contains prebiotic fiber that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut — potentially improving metabolic health (12). Although this fruit may improve certain features of metabolic syndrome — a condition associated with type 2 diabetes — not all effects may be favorable.See full list on healthline.comOverall, dragon fruit appears to be safe. However, people may develop an allergic reaction in some rare cases.In two older case studies, women with no history of food allergies developed anaphylactic reactions after consuming a fruit mixture that contained dragon fruit. Testing confirmed that they had antibodies against dragon fruit in their blood (16, 17).See full list on healthline.comThough it may look intimidating, dragon fruit is very easy to eat.Here’s how to eat dragon fruit:•Select a ripe fruit with bright red, evenly colored skin that gives slightly when squeezed.•Use a sharp knife and cut straight through the fruit, slicing it in half.•You can use a spoon to eat the fruit out of the skin or peel the skin off and slice the pulp into small pieces.Ideas for serving dragon fruit:See full list on healthline.comDragon fruit is a low-calorie fruit that contains less sugar and fewer carbs than many other tropical fruits.It may offer some health benefits, but human studies are needed to verify this.See full list on healthline.comJun 26, 2024 · Tropical dragonfruit may look spiky and odd, but it's sweet and nutritious with fiber, vitamin C, and iron. Learn more about dragonfruitnutrition. Dragonfruit benefits come from its rich combination of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help promote weight loss, support skin health, and strengthen bones. This tropical fruit is also packed with fiber and natural compounds that protect cells and boost the immune system. View allMar 17, 2025 · Learn about dragonfruit and its nutritionalvalue. Discover how to eat it and ideas for incorporating it into to your diet. Dragonfruitnutrition facts and analysis. · Tropical dragonfruit may look spiky and odd, but it's sweet and nutritious with fiber, vitamin C, and iron. Learn more about dragonfruitnutrition. Dragonfruit benefits come from its rich combination of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help promote weight loss, support skin health, and strengthen bones. This tropical fruit is also packed with fiber and natural compounds that protect cells and boost the immune system. View allMar 17, 2025 · Learn about dragonfruit and its nutritionalvalue. Discover how to eat it and ideas for incorporating it into to your diet. Dragonfruitnutrition facts and analysis. · Learn about dragonfruit and its nutritionalvalue. Discover how to eat it and ideas for incorporating it into to your diet. Dragonfruitnutrition facts and analysis.
