Madam Sun

The nutritional benefits of Red Dragon Fruit have only recently been investigated, but evidence is growing as to
its health properties. Like most fruits, Red Dragon Fruit contains a variety of important vitamins and minerals;
with good quantities of vitamins C, B1, B2, Niacin and Phosphorous (References 1, 2, 3 & 4). In addition,
there seems to be additional benefits coming from the natural oils / fatty acids in the seeds (primarily linoleic
acid, an omega-3 fatty acid associated with heart health, and oleic acid, an omega-9 monounsaturated fat like
that found in olive oil) [Ref. 2].

The high levels of soluble and insoluble fibre, which enhances digestion, speeds transit through the bowels
and reduces dietary cholesterol are also beneficial. Ref. 4 reports a clinical trial in which persons with
elevated cholesterol saw a remarkable reduction in total cholesterol over a five week period during which Red
Dragon Fruit was consumed daily. Lastly, the red pigments in dragon fruit contain powerful flavanoid
antioxidants which, it is believed, may help to prevent cancer and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis,
diabetes and gout, although research has just begun to support the health claims.

See:
http://dragon.fruit.pitaya.fruit.foodlywise.com/dragon_fruit_health_benefits/dragon_fruit_diabetes_healt/type_2_diabetes_dragonfr
uit.html and
http://dragon.fruit.pitaya.fruit.foodlywise.com/dragon_fruit_health_benefits/dragon_fruit_health_benefit/dragon_fruit_gout_benefits.
html

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Ref 1: Ruzainah Ali Jaafar, Ahmad Ridhwan Bin Abdul Rahman, Nor Zaini Che Mahmod and R.Vasudevan Proximate Analysis of
Dragon Fruit (Hylecereus polyhizus). American Journal of Applied Sciences 6 (7): 1341-1346, 2009
Ref 2: Li-chen Wu, Hsiu-Wen Hsu, Yun-Chen Chen, Chih-Chung Chiu, Yu-In Lin and Ja-an Annie Ho. Antioxidant and
antiproliferative activities of red pitaya. Food Chemistry Volume 95, Issue 2, March 2006, Pages 319-327
Ref 3: The Nutrition and Health Benefits of Tropical Fruits with Special Reference to Red Pitaya. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rokiah
Mohd.Yusof. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Originally
published on the website of http://www.afmaasia.org, a copy here
Ref 4: Abdul Azis Ariffin, Jamilah Bakar, Chin Ping Tan, Russly Abdul Rahman, Roselina Karima and Chia Chun Loi Essential fatty
acids of pitaya (dragon fruit) seed oil. Food Chemistry Volume 114, Issue 2, 15 May 2009, Pages 561-564