Yellow Dragon Fruit: Everything You Need To Know About It

This article has been reviewed by experts

Have you witnessed the new growing social media trend about a “detox fruit”? A vibrant, yellow, dragon-like fruit is becoming a rage among foodies and fitness freaks. Introducing yellow dragon fruit, which is an exotic fruit that people are driving crazy about! Yellow dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that has many health benefits to its credit. Initially not known much, this fruit is packed with some really beneficial nutrients that help you keep your body healthy. According to Ayurveda, dragon fruit is referred to as Kamalam, since it resembles a lotus from the exterior, and it pacifies the Pitta Dosha in your body [1]. 

Let us dive into the vibrant world of yellow dragon fruit, explore its nutritional value, health benefits, and the different ways to consume it, and see if it is really worth the hype! 

Yellow Dragon Fruit – Bright Like A Sunshine [2]

Yellow dragon fruit (also known as Pitaya, Pitaya yellow, or strawberry pear) is an exotic fruit that is native to North America, but it is also available in India and has been trending. The fruit is different in color than the red dragon fruit, but its nutritional value and taste remain the same. Pitaya yellow is a tropical fruit with a bright yellow outer skin with scales or spikes radiating like a flame which gives the fruit its unique name (resembling a dragon). It has an oblong shape and a seed-speckled soft white pulp that has a combination of sweet and tangy taste. The fruit’s texture is similar to the kiwi fruit and is packed with several essential nutrients. 

Pitaya yellow is a popular fruit that is used to flavour and add colour to juices and alcoholic beverages. The seed oil contains fatty acids like linoleic and linolenic acid, antioxidants, minerals, calcium, and iron. The dragon fruit flowers can be eaten or steeped as tea. Apart from the culinary uses, yellow dragon fruit offers several health benefits which is why it is increasing in popularity. 

Yellow Dragon Fruit Nutritional Value [3]

Below is a list of nutrients present in a 100-gram serving of yellow dragon fruit:

Nutrient	Value
Calorie	60
Protein	1.3 g
Iron	4.2%
Fiber	3.1 g
Carbohydrates	13 g
Vitamins	3%
Calcium	8.5 mg
Fats	0.4 g
Magnesium	10%

Amazing Benefits of Dragon Fruit For Health

Here are some incredible Pitaya health benefits that can leave you surprised. 

Rich in Prebiotics [4]

1. Prebiotics help maintain a proper balance between the good and the bad bacteria in your body.
2. Dragon fruit contains some important prebiotics that favour the growth of beneficial bacteria, and inhibit the growth of pathogens. 
3. This keeps your gut healthy and reduces your risk of gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, constipation, or IBS.
4. The fiber present in yellow Pitaya improves your metabolism and boosts your digestion.

Improves Heart Health

1. The presence of monounsaturated fatty acids in the seeds reduces the levels of bad cholesterol in the body.
2. Lycopene is an important phytonutrient present in Pitaya Yellow improving your vascular health and lowering your risk of heart disease. 

Regulates Your Blood Sugar [5]

1. The glycemic index of yellow dragon fruit is dose-related which means as the amount of dragon fruit consumed increases, the blood sugar levels decrease. 

Boosts Your Immune System

1. High vitamin C content strengthens the immune system by protecting the cells against free radical damage.
2. Phenolic acid and flavonoids are potent anti-inflammatory elements that help reduce inflammation in your body. 

Aids in Weight Loss [6]

1. The betacyanins found in Pitaya help regulate blood sugar levels and improve metabolism to help in weight loss. 
2. The high fiber content keeps you satiated for a longer period of time, thereby reducing your hunger pangs. 

Helps Pregnant Women [7]

a. Dragon fruit benefits in pregnancy include:

1. Reduces the risk of anemia
2. Protects against infections
3. Boosts bone development
4. Rescues the risk of pregnancy complications like miscarriages, neural birth defects, and preeclampsia 
5. Prevents gestational diabetes

Dragon Fruit For Improved Libido

1. A special chemical called phyto albumin present in dragon fruit can help stimulate sex drive. 
2. Dragon fruits also improve blood flow to the male genital organs by enabling nitric oxide synthesis. This improves erection in males. 

Improves Skin Health And Hair Growth [8]

1. The antioxidants present in dragon fruit like vitamin C help reduce hyperpigmentation and fight signs of aging. These nutrients boost collagen and elastin production that reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and fine lines. 
2. Vitamin B helps lock moisture giving you smooth, supple, and youthful skin.
3. Vitamin A helps to promote your hair and scalp health by providing hydration.
4. Vitamin B1 and B2 strengthen the keratin molecules and stimulate the hair follicles for hair growth.

Storage And Consumption of Pitaya Yellow [9]

Always buy dragon fruit that is firm and ripe. Pitaya fruit can be easily stored at room temperature for up to three days. However, if you need to store them for a longer time, you can refrigerate them for up to one week. 

Different ways to eat yellow dragon fruit:

1. Slice up the dragon fruit and eat it raw
2. Eat it as a salad
3. Make a delicious dragon fruit smoothie, juice, or a dessert
4. Add it to other dishes like porridge

Takeaway 

If you are looking for a blend of loaded nutrients in a single food, then yellow dragon fruit is the best choice for you. Pitaya yellow is a superfood, offering multiple health, skin, and hair benefits that can be consumed in different ways. However, remember to consume it in moderate amounts, since overconsumption can lead to allergic reactions. So what are you waiting for? Go grab dragon fruits and reap their incredible benefits. 

FAQs

References 

1. Dragon fruit: An exotic super future fruit of India
2. Distinguishing three Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.) species grown in Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India using morphological, biochemical, and molecular traits
3. Phenotypic Diversity of Morphological Characteristics of Pitahaya (Selenicereus Megalanthus Haw.) Germplasm in Colombia
4. Dragon fruit: A review of health benefits and nutrients and its sustainable development under climate changes in Vietnam
5. Effect of dragon fruit on glycemic control in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
6. Cultivation, Nutritional Value and Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus spp.): A Review
7. Promising Tropical Fruits High in Folates
8. Unlocking the Potential of Lignocellulosic Biomass Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polarizes) in Bioplastics, Biocomposites, and Various Commercial Applications
9. Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Other Health Effects of Dragon Fruit and Potential Delivery Systems for Its Bioactive Compounds