Pitaya is the perfect food that has become popular in the 21st century. It contains less sugar and fewer calories, making it very suitable for people with diabetes or obesity to eat. The fruit is rich in multiple vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin C and water-soluble dietary fiber. The pectin contained in pitaya can greatly help moisturize and regenerate the skin. Meanwhile, it is also a natural food for cooling down and whitening in the scorching summer. According to traditional Chinese medicine, it can promote the digestive function of the human large intestine and stomach.
Selection: Choose those with smooth and shiny appearance, full-bodied fruits, fresh and even purplish red color as the best options.
Cleaning: Although we eat the inside flesh of the pitaya, the peel should be cleaned thoroughly before cutting and eating.
Storage: Pitaya is harvested when the skin is slightly red to overcome the problem of long-distance transportation and preservation. So the redder it is, the harder it is to preserve. Once bought, it should be eaten immediately.
Pitaya, also known as Red Dragon Fruit, is native to the tropical regions of Central America. Pitaya is rich in nutrients and unique functions. It contains plant-based albumin and anthocyanins which are rarely found in general plants, as well as abundant vitamins and water-soluble dietary fibers. Therefore, it has several unique effects:
In every 100 grams of pitaya pulp, it contains 83.75 grams of water, 0.34 grams of ash, 0.17 grams of crude fat, 0.62 grams of crude protein, 1.21 grams of crude fiber, 13.91 grams of carbohydrates, 59.65 kilocalories of heat, 1.62 grams of dietary fiber, 5.22 grams of Vitamin C, 2.83 grams of fructose, 7.83 grams of glucose, 6.3-8.8 milligrams of calcium, 30.2-36.1 milligrams of phosphorus, 0.55-0.65 milligrams of iron, and a large amount of anthocyanins (most abundant in red-fleshed varieties), water-soluble dietary proteins, and plant albumins.
The Nutritional Value of Pitaya
The branches and flowers of pitaya contain a unique mucus with extremely low osmotic pressure, which contains a large number of nutritionally effective substances and therapeutic substances. Pitaya not only helps prevent constipation, promotes eye health, increases bone density, aids cell membrane formation, prevents anemia and neuritis, reduces cholesterol, whitens the skin and prevents dark spots, but also detoxifies heavy metals, fights free radicals, prevents aging, aids weight loss, and prevents colon cancer. Newer research shows that the juice from the pitaya fruit and stems actively inhibits tumor growth, viral infections, and immune responses.
Taboos: Women with cold constitutions should not eat too much pitaya. It is recommended to drink pitaya juice after meals.
The Efficacy and Effects of Pitaya
1. Contains more iron elements than general weight-loss fruits. Iron is an essential element for producing hemoglobin and other iron-containing substances, and has important nutritional value for human health.
2. The peel contains Vitamin E and a special component - anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are found in grape skins, red beets, and other weight-loss fruits and vegetables, but the highest content is found in pitaya fruits. They all have antioxidant, anti-free radical, and anti-aging effects, and can also prevent brain cell degeneration and inhibit dementia.
3. The albumin in pitaya is a sticky, gel-like weight-loss substance that can detoxify heavy metal poisoning and also protect the stomach lining.
4. Rich in Vitamin C, which can eliminate oxygen free radicals and has the effect of weight loss and skin whitening.
5. Sesame-like seeds have the function of promoting gastrointestinal digestion.
6. Pitaya is a low-energy, high-fiber weight-loss fruit with very rich water-soluble dietary fiber, so it has the effects of weight loss, lowering cholesterol, moistening the intestines, and preventing colon cancer.
7. Natural glucose. The flesh almost does not contain fructose and sucrose, mainly glucose, easy to absorb, suitable for post-exercise consumption for weight loss.
8. Nucleic acid, mainly contained in the black seeds of pitaya, has anti-aging and weight-loss effects.
9. The juice from the fruit and stem shows positive activity against tumor growth, viral infections, and immune response suppression.
Eating Pitaya During Pregnancy: Detoxification of Heavy Metals in the Body
Since pitaya contains plant-based albumin, and this kind of albumin has the effect of detoxifying heavy metals in the body, in modern metropolises where car exhaust heavy metal pollution is relatively serious, pregnant women eating pitaya can neutralize heavy metal toxins in the body. In addition, the plant-based albumin in pitaya also has a protective effect on the human stomach lining. Therefore, eating pitaya during pregnancy also has a protective effect on the stomach.
Eating Pitaya During Pregnancy: Effectively Prevents Constipation
Pitaya is rich in dietary plant fiber, which can effectively regulate gastrointestinal function and prevent constipation. Pregnant women are prone to constipation in the mid-to-late stages of pregnancy, so eating pitaya during pregnancy can effectively prevent constipation.
Eating Pitaya During Pregnancy: Has the Effect of Lowering Blood Pressure
Pitaya does not contain sucrose or caramel, so it will not increase the burden on diabetic patients. Pregnant women do not need to worry about consuming too much sugar when eating pitaya, and it also has the effect of lowering blood pressure, which is very beneficial for pregnant women with hypertension or pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Eating Pitaya During Pregnancy: Prevents Aging, Beautifies, and Nourishes the Skin
Pitaya contains Vitamin C and anthocyanins, which have the effects of preventing aging and beautifying and nourishing the skin. Therefore, pregnant women eating pitaya not only maintain their health but also enhance their beauty.
Special Reminder from Sefudun Women's Health Network: Pregnant women can eat an appropriate amount of pitaya, but should not overeat. Pitaya has the effects of detoxification, beautification, and anti-aging, which have certain benefits for the health care of pregnant women.