{"id":82356,"date":"2019-10-21T00:33:42","date_gmt":"2019-10-20T19:03:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/?p=82356"},"modified":"2019-10-21T00:49:48","modified_gmt":"2019-10-20T19:19:48","slug":"dragon-fruit-a-boon-for-doubling-farmers-income","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/2019\/10\/21\/dragon-fruit-a-boon-for-doubling-farmers-income\/","title":{"rendered":"Dragon fruit: A boon for doubling farmers\u2019 income"},"content":{"rendered":"

[ Dr A Kirankumar Singh ]<\/strong>
\nDragon fruit is a very new fruit in Arunachal Pradesh in general and Longding district in particular. It was introduced in 2018 in Nianu village in Longding circle by the Longding KVK, under the NEC project of the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, AP Centre, Basar.
\nThe fruit itself is not well known to the general public, due to which problem in marketing it has cropped up. But it is hoped that in due course the general public will be aware about the fruit, and that its health benefits will be the driving force behind successful cultivation and production of this fruit in Longding and in other parts of the state.
\nThe Longding KVK is working to create awareness among the farmers regarding this fruit through training, demonstrations, and literature publication. The price of the fruit in the Indian market ranges from Rs 210 to Rs 540 per kg.
\nDragon fruit, which is rich in nutrients and low in calories, may be beneficial\u00a0for fighting chronic illnesses, improving gut health, and boosting immunity. It is high in fibre as well as various vitamins and minerals, including manganese and iron. The health benefits of dragon fruit include its ability to aid in weight loss, controlling diabetes, improving digestion, lowering cholesterol, and boosting energy levels. It may also be protective against certain cancers and heart diseases, defend against bacteria and fungi, and\u00a0optimize the overall functioning of the body.<\/p>\n

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What is dragon fruit?<\/strong>
\nDragon fruit is an\u00a0exotic\u00a0and delicious fruit, also considered tropical super-food, because of its wealth of benefits.\u00a0It is also known as\u00a0pitaya\u00a0or\u00a0pitahaya,\u00a0and some call it strawberry pear.\u00a0However, pitaya technically differs from dragon fruit (pitahaya), as the former comes from the genus Stenocereus\u00a0while the latter comes from Hylocereus. The dragon fruit\u00a0has its origins in Mexico, South America, and Central America. It is suspected that the New World settlers probably brought it to Southeast Asian nations like Cambodia, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines, where it remains an important part of the dietary fruit intake. Now it\u2019s not just a healthy fruit but also used as nutrient-rich pitaya powder, which is available worldwide.
\nApart from the fruit, the\u00a0peel of the\u00a0dragon fruit is\u00a0found to be useful\u00a0in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and nutraceutical applications, as per a 2011 research published in the\u00a0Journal of Food Science.<\/p>\n

Dragon fruit nutrition<\/strong>
\nDragon fruit is low in calories and rich in antioxidants, making it a good addition to\u00a0any weight loss diet. According to the\u00a0United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the fruit contains good amounts of\u00a0fibre, lycopene, and carbohydrates, as well as water-soluble vitamins such as\u00a0carotene, Vitamins C and B, niacin and riboflavin.\u00a0The mineral wealth of this fruit is also high and includes magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and sodium.
\nDragon fruit is believed to contain phytonutrients that prevent various diseases. Also, research published in\u00a0Food Chemistry suggests that there are polyunsaturated fatty acids\u00a0(linoleic acid and linolenic acid), and Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids in the seeds of this fruit.<\/p>\n

Health benefits<\/strong>
\nThe health\u00a0benefits\u00a0of the dragon fruit are mainly attributed to its antioxidant, antibacterial and nutritional properties.\u00a0The benefits include boosting immunity, faster metabolism, and a smoother digestive process.<\/p>\n

Protective against cancer<\/strong>
\nA recent\u00a0study\u00a0on dragon fruit showed that this fruit may have anticancer properties, particularly in the case of\u00a0colon cancer. Along with the antioxidant quality of Vitamin C that boosts the immune system, dragon fruits also contain other sources of natural antioxidants.
\nAccording to research, carotene and lycopene, found in this fruit,\u00a0are potent\u00a0antioxidants that have been linked to a number of anti-carcinogenic qualities. They help in reducing the chances of prostate cancer, as well as the size of tumours in the body. As\u00a0dragon fruits boost your immune system, it is a good first step for those frequently getting sick, or even at a high risk of developing cancer.<\/p>\n

Boosts immune system<\/strong>
\nThe\u00a0high level\u00a0of Vitamin C found in dragon fruit helps\u00a0boost immunity,\u00a0and it stimulates the activities of other antioxidants in the body, as well.\u00a0According to a 2011 research study, the flesh and the peel of the white and red pitayas have high polyphenol and flavonoid content, which can help eliminate free radicals. This has been linked to preventing the proliferation of cancer cells.\u00a0Also, these antioxidants work to\u00a0increase the platelet count, and thus treat dengue\u00a0and help in faster recovery.<\/p>\n

High in fibre<\/strong>
\nResearch published in\u00a0Food Chemistry also suggests that dragon fruits are rich in oligosaccharides that help promote the growth of gut bacteria like lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.\u00a0A 2015 study on natural\u00a0prebiotics\u00a0in Thailand\u00a0showed that the\u00a0fruit helped increase healthy gut flora, which is important for smooth digestion.
\nDragon fruits have a high fibre content, which means that they can help\u00a0bulk up bowel movements, facilitating smooth passage through the digestive tract, stimulating peristaltic motion, and inducing release of digestive juices. By regulating bowel function with\u00a0dietary fibre, this fruit helps in preventing conditions like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and even colorectal cancer.<\/p>\n

Controls diabetes<\/strong>
\nRegular consumption of dragon fruit is linked to a reduction in blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for Type 2 diabetics and those with pre-diabetes. In a 2017 research review study, it\u00a0was found that\u00a0overall pre-diabetics showed a noticeable reduction in blood sugar levels as compared to people who had not eaten dragon fruit.\u00a0Furthermore, pre-diabetics with higher consumption of dragon fruit showed greater blood glucose reduction.<\/p>\n

Rich in iron<\/strong>
\nIron, present in dragon fruits, is good for boosting the haemoglobin levels in anaemic individuals.\u00a0It also aids in the production of red blood cells (RBC), which then helps in the proper oxygenation of vital organs.<\/p>\n

Good source of antioxidants<\/strong>
\nResearch\u00a0published\u00a0in the\u00a0Journal of Food Science\u00a0indicates that due to high polyphenol and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity, it can be used for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications also.<\/p>\n

Rich in\u00a0magnesium & B-vitamins<\/strong>
\nDragon fruit is also packed with vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C and B-vitamins, as well as magnesium.\u00a0The benefits of magnesium include improving bone health and heart health. The B1, B2, and B3 vitamins help improve everything from\u00a0blood pressure, skin health and cholesterol levels\u00a0to thyroid function, fluctuating haemoglobin levels, and carbohydrate metabolism.<\/p>\n

Skin care<\/strong>
\nThe antioxidants in dragon fruit may help fight the signs of aging by reducing the harmful effects of free radicals in the body. They also aid in treating sunburn, acne, and dry skin. Vitamin C, contained in many fruits, but particularly dragon fruit, helps brighten the skin. Try adding dried dragon fruit powder to your daily juices and watch your skin become radiant.<\/p>\n

Improves cardiovascular health<\/strong>
\nDragon fruit contains no unhealthy saturate fats. This leads to higher levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and lower levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) in the body. The chances of developing plaque in the arteries and veins are less, thereby reducing your chances of suffering from atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes.<\/p>\n

Hair care<\/strong>
\nAdding\u00a0dragon fruit or adding dragon fruit extract powder to your daily diet helps in keeping the hair nourished and healthy. Its high amounts of nutrients\u00a0help to reduce the\u00a0damage done to hair by the chemicals present in artificial hair colour. It also helps improve the texture and bring back the shine to your hair.<\/p>\n

Anti-inflammatory properties<\/strong>
\nDragon fruit powder is rich in anti-inflammatory properties, which help in reducing the pain caused by arthritis and other medical conditions.<\/p>\n

Eye care<\/strong>
\nDragon fruit is known to inhibit the growth of human cytochrome P450, a protein found in the liver. This protein is often linked\u00a0with the occurrence of congenital glaucoma. Also, according to\u00a0research\u00a0published in\u00a0the journal\u00a0Food Chemistry, the beta-carotene content in this fruit helps in preventing macular degeneration and cataract formation by keep the eyes protected from harmful free radicals.<\/p>\n

Strong bones and teeth<\/strong>
\nDragon fruit is higher in calcium\u00a0than many other fruits and can, therefore, help contribute to the daily calcium requirements needed\u00a0to keep your bones healthy, improve bone mineral density, and prevent osteoporosis.\u00a0A study done by\u00a0the Tufts University showed that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables offers the right mix of nutrients, protein, and calcium to boost bone density.<\/p>\n

Pregnancy<\/strong>
\nDragon fruit is beneficial for pregnant women as it contains iron, B-vitamins, and folate. Studies\u00a0show that iron helps in preventing haemoglobin deficiency and also in preventing the occurrence of\u00a0anaemia.\u00a0The B-vitamins and folate help prevent birth defects and boost energy.
\nAlso, the mild laxative properties of the dragon fruit help loosen stool and regulate bowel movements. Moreover, the calcium content in it aids in bone development of the foetus, thereby contributing to healthy pregnancy.\u00a0High levels\u00a0of calcium and magnesium also help fight osteoporosis in\u00a0postmenopausal women.<\/p>\n

Boosts cognition<\/strong>
\nDragon fruits contain B-vitamins and are rich in Vitamin C, both of which help in keeping the cell membranes healthy. This activity of the vitamins may help prevent the occurrence of cognitive disorders and keep your brain functioning like Einstein\u2019s!<\/p>\n

Improves respiration<\/strong>
\nIt\u2019s high time you added dragon fruit to your diet if you are suffering from respiratory disorders like asthma. Dragon fruit extract capsules are also available, which help provide Vitamin C and antioxidants.\u00a0There is evidence\u00a0that higher intakes of fruits and vegetables may have a positive impact on respiratory issues.<\/p>\n

Buying dragon fruit<\/strong>
\nFresh dragon fruit can be bought at\u00a0your local supermarket, and it is even available online. When choosing a dragon\u00a0fruit, make sure that the skin does not have brown spots. If the fruit is soft, it has probably gone bad.\u00a0Consider red dragon fruit chips as a healthy snack option for everyone, including adults and kids.
\nSince the fruit is seasonal, you can also use freeze-dried dragon fruit powder, packed with antioxidants,\u00a0in your smoothie, granola, yogurt, and raw desserts.<\/p>\n

Dragon fruit varieties<\/strong>
\nThere are three types of dragon fruits, namely, red skin with red flesh, red skin with white flesh, and yellow skin with white flesh.
\nThere are sweet and sour dragon fruits, depending on the species, shape and size. In terms of the most common form of dragon fruit, it is slightly smaller than a cantaloupe, red in colour, and covered in broad spiky growths.
\nWhen you cut it open, the texture of the fruit\u2019s\u00a0meat is like that of a kiwi, and it is filled with small black seeds. The meat of the fruit is used to make wine, and can be strained into other beverages, while the leaves of the dragon fruit can be steeped for a very healthy form of tea. The rough outer skin has little nutritional value and is rarely eaten. (The contributor is Head In-charge, Longding KVK)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[ Dr A Kirankumar Singh ] Dragon fruit is a very new fruit in Arunachal Pradesh in general and Longding district in particular. It was introduced in 2018 in Nianu village in Longding circle by the Longding KVK, under the NEC project of the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, AP Centre, Basar. The fruit […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-82356","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-state-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82356","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=82356"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82356\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82356"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=82356"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arunachaltimes.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=82356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}