Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or the strawberry pear, is a beautiful tropical fruit that is sweet and crunchy. The plant the fruit comes from is actually a type of cactus of the genus Hylocereus, which includes about 20 different species.

What fruit family is dragon fruit?

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.), also known as Pitaya or Pitahaya belonging to the family Cactaceae, is an most important tropical fruit crop as it is rich in antioxidants (a source of vitamins and minerals, prevent cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary diseases), as well as dietry

Is dragon fruit a melon?

The once lesser-known fruit has white flesh, black seeds, and a somewhat melon-like texture —but isn’t quite as sweet as some of the other tropical fruits taking smoothies by storm.

Why should we not eat dragon fruit?

Diabetes: Dragon fruit might lower blood sugar levels. If you take dragon fruit, monitor your blood sugar levels closely. Surgery: Dragon fruit might interfere with blood sugar control. Stop taking dragon fruit at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.

What is dragon fruit called in English?

Pitaya fruit, pitahaya fruit, commonly known as the dragon fruit, is a fruit from Central America, South America, and Asia. It has a light sweet taste, an intense shape and colour, and has a texture of between that of a kiwi and an apple.

Is dragon fruit a citrus fruit?

The dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) is not citrus. It is a tropical fruit that belongs to the climbing cacti (Cactaceae) family. Widely cultivated in Vietnam, the fruit is popular in Southeast Asia. The dragon fruit is a rich source of vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus.

Is kiwi related to dragon fruit?

Dragon fruit has a sweet, delicate taste that could be characterized as “tropical.” It has been described as a cross between kiwi and pear, or kiwi and watermelon. The texture is somewhat creamy with little seeds, similar to that of kiwifruit.

Are dragon fruits a berry?

Only a pollinated flower yields a dragon fruit, a fleshy berry with leathery, scaled skin. The dragon fruit most commonly seen in US grocery stores, H. undatus, has a reddish exterior and white pulp dotted with a multitude of tiny seeds.

Is dragon fruit allergic?

Dragon fruit is generally safe to eat, although studies have reported isolated allergic reactions. Symptoms include swelling of the tongue, hives, and vomiting. This type of reaction seems to be very rare.

Is the skin of dragon fruit poisonous?

As noted above, the dragon fruit skin is not poisonous and is in fact very healthy. Therefore, you should consider your perception towards the dragon fruit skin. It is not only healthy, but delicious too.

What is the side effect of dragon fruit?

Are There Known Side Effects of Dragon Fruit? The good news is that there don’t appear to be any side effects or health risks associated with eating dragon fruit. Even so, if you eat dragon fruit and develop symptoms of an allergic reaction, stop eating the fruit immediately.

Is dragon fruit a laxative?

5) Helps Beat Constipation As Dragon Fruit is high in water and dietary fibre, it’s an excellent natural remedy for child (and adult) constipation. The black seeds are also said to have a mild laxative effect.

How many dragon fruit can I eat a day?

Dragon fruit is an excellent source of fiber, Ilic says. The daily recommendation for adults is at least 25 grams — and dragon fruit packs 7 grams in a single 1-cup serving.

Why is dragon fruit expensive?

The law of supply and demand dictates the cost of nearly every commercial good, and dragon fruit is no different. According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, the demand for dragon fruit in the United States exceeds the supply available — thus a higher price at your local fruit stand.

What is dragon fruit taste like?

Dragon fruit may look exotic, but its flavors are similar to other fruits. Its taste has been described as a slightly sweet cross between a kiwi and a pear. Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit native to Mexico and Central America. Its taste is like a combination of a kiwi and a pear.

Can diabetics eat dragon fruit?

In traditional and alternative medicine treatments, dragon fruit has been used to treat hypertension, and the seeds have been demonstrated to help regulate blood glucose levels, making dragon fruit potentially useful specifically for type 2 diabetes prevention and management.