Health Benefits and Application of Dragon Fruit (Pitahaya)

The dragon fruit, also known as pitaya and strawberry pear, originates from Latin America, specifically Mexico and Colombia. It is now also cultivated in many Asian countries and can be found in commercial plantations in Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Israel. Dragon fruit remains an important food source for indigenous tribes in northwestern Mexico. Its beauty has led it to be called the most beautiful fruit of the cactus. Dragon fruit has an elongated, oval shape and is red, pink, or yellow in color. The skin is thick and inedible, ending in long, pointed spines – hence the name dragon fruit. The interior of the fruit contains edible, white flesh with a large amount of very small seeds – similar to those in kiwi. The flesh makes up about 60–80% of the entire fruit, which reaches about 10 centimeters in length. Dragon fruit has a sweet taste and is refreshing, similar to gooseberries. The blooming period of dragon fruit falls in the summer and early fall – from June to October. Both fruits and flowers are consumed in Southeast Asia. Environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity affect the blooming of dragon fruit flowers. Dragon fruit fruits prefer a warm and humid climate but are very sensitive to cold. Dragon fruit ripens after harvest and becomes sweeter during storage, similar to bananas.

The fruit has numerous health benefits. It is a low-calorie fruit, containing approximately 50 kcal per 100 g. The dragon fruit is rich in vitamins and minerals. It supports the body's immunity, wound healing, tissue regeneration, and strengthening of blood vessels. Vitamin A, which is present in the dragon fruit, improves vision and has a positive impact on the skin, hair, and nails. Vitamins B1 and B2 contribute to the proper functioning of the nervous system, improve the regularity and effectiveness of body substances against wounds and fat substances. Pitaya also contains oligosaccharides, which act as prebiotics and support the work of the intestines. Small seeds contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which contribute to maintaining immunity and preventing heart and circulatory diseases. Additionally, the dragon fruit contains calcium and phosphorus, which strengthen the teeth and nails, as well as iron, which affects the growth, development, and regeneration of tissues. It also contains antioxidants such as lycopene and betalains, which protect the body's cells from aging and heart and circulatory diseases, as well as cancer. The dragon fruit also contains dietary fiber, which is essential for proper digestion. It prevents constipation, but consuming too much flesh can have a laxative effect. Dietary fiber also provides a feeling of satiety, reduces cravings, and lowers postprandial blood sugar levels. The dragon fruit increases insulin sensitivity in cells through its content of polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C, which is manifested by a lower level of glucose and insulin in the body. It also protects against fatty liver, lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and reduces the size of fat cells. Consuming pitaya in moderate amounts does not affect weight gain. People who are allergic are more prone to allergies to exotic fruits, so it is recommended to consume a small amount at first and observe whether there are any worrisome symptoms.

Dragon fruit primarily finds its application in the kitchen. It can be utilized to prepare fruit salads, ice cream, desserts, muses, and cocktails. The chunks of the flesh serve as an excellent decoration for many dishes. Early cooling of the fruit will make its taste more intense. The most delicious fruits are imported at the beginning of the year and in the months of July and August. There are several methods of consuming pitai. The fruit can be divided in half lengthwise and the flesh can be consumed using a spoon, or the halves can be separated from the skin and the inside can be cut into cubes.

Required components: – One pitaya fruit (150g) – One cup of fresh or frozen strawberries (150g) – Half a mango (140g) – One pack of natural yogurt (200g) – One tablespoon of almonds (15g) – Lemon juice. Blend the mango into a smooth puree, then blend the strawberries separately in another container. Layer the mango puree, strawberry puree, and yogurt alternately into a tall glass or jar. Top with cubed pitaya and sliced almonds. Drizzle with lemon juice. This dessert can be consumed immediately or after 30 minutes of refrigeration. Nutritional values: Carbohydrates: 61.3g Protein: 16.1g Fat: 13.3g Caloric value: 433 kcal. Pitaya appears on store shelves not only in its natural fruit form, but also as juices and powdered extract. Pitaya powder is suitable for making cocktails, smoothies, and as an addition to yogurt, oatmeal, or dough. Some people use dried pitaya flowers in cooking to make an infusion. Pitaya has also found application in cosmetics. Increasingly, one can find gels, peelings, shampoos, masks, hand soaps, and deodorants with pitaya extract on drugstore shelves. The pitaya scent note accompanies a well-known brand of toilet waters.

Exotic fruits can be found in stores during the Christmas season, but also in other months. Larger supermarkets offer pita fruit at separate stands with exotic food. They can be found alongside passionflower, persimmon, mango, rambutan, and other exotic fruits. Fresh pita is available in shops at a price between $10 and $15 per piece. 100 g of dried pita extract costs about $35. Recently, dried pita has also appeared in shops – the cost for 60 g is about $7–8. Pita is popular in Asia, but for Europeans it still sounds very exotic. It is worth preparing a beautiful pita dessert to get to know the unusual taste of this fruit and appreciate its health benefits.