Health benefits of Passion Fruit.
Health benefits of Passion Fruit.
What is Passion Fruit?
In tropical areas like Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii,
it grows on climbing passion flower vines and has a tiny, egg-shaped exterior
with yellow or purple skin. If you didn't cut it in half, you can mistake it
for a small lemon or plum. Its interior is made up of chewy seeds and juicily
golden pulp.
Priests believed that certain parts of the passion flower
symbolized Jesus' "passion," or his suffering and death, and this is
how the passion fruit got its name in the 1500s.
Passion fruit has a sweet-tart flavor, and its unique scent
can be found in candles and bath products. Only the pulp and seeds are safe to
eat, and even a small amount has numerous health advantages.
Passion fruit is an exotic purple fruit that is good for a
balanced diet. Passion fruit contains high levels of key vitamins and minerals
and is rich in antioxidants
Health benefits of Passion Fruit
Provides essential nutrients
Passion fruit is a fruit that has numerous benefits and a
nutritious nutritional content. It has significant amounts of vitamin A, which
is crucial for skin, vision, and the immune system, as well as vitamin C, an
important antioxidant.
The following nutrients, measured in milligrams (mg),
international units (IU), or grams (g), can be found in one fruit without the
waste:
Vitamin A with 229 IU
Potassium 63 mg
Magnesium 5 mg
Vitamin C dose: 5.4 mg
2 mg calcium
Iron 0.29 mg
Fiber, 1.9 grams
A healthy body also need phosphorus, niacin, and vitamin
B-6, all of which are found in passion fruit.
Improves heart health
Passion fruit is low in sodium and high in potassium, which
is good for the heart.
When consumed with the seeds, Passion fruit has a high fiber
content that can aid in removing extra cholesterol from the interior of blood
vessels. A diet rich in fiber can lower a person's chance of developing heart
disease.
A person's blood pressure may also be improved by consuming
passion fruit. Blood pressure is lowered by potassium- and sodium-rich diets.
Contains various antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that aid in the body's defense
against dangerous free radicals, and passion fruit is a great source of them.
The body's systems depend on antioxidants to remain healthy.
Antioxidants are known to increase blood flow, particularly to the brain and
neurological system.
Also, they reduce the body's cellular stress and
inflammation, both of which have been linked to disorders including heart
disease and Alzheimer's disease.
An excellent fiber source
The pulp of the passion fruit is quite high in dietary
fiber. Every diet should include fiber as a key element. It aids in digestion
regulation and gut health maintenance, reducing constipation and bowel issues.
The American Heart Association claims that fiber helps heart
health by lowering cholesterol levels.
The majority of Americans do not consume enough dietary
fiber. The most recent dietary recommendations issued by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) call for an intake of 34 g for males ages 19 to 30 and 28 g
for women ages 19 to 30.
Regular consumption of passion fruit may aid to enhance
digestion, reduce constipation, and general wellness.
Increase insulin responsiveness
According to certain studies, a substance present in the
seeds of passion fruit may increase a person's reaction to insulin. The risk of
numerous diseases, including diabetes, can be decreased by increasing insulin
sensitivity.
After similar results in animal research, a small-scale
human investigation in 2017 discovered that a drug called piceatannol could
enhance metabolism.
When overweight men took 20 mg of piceatannol daily for
eight weeks instead of a placebo, the researchers discovered that their
metabolic health, notably their insulin sensitivity, improved.
Enhance the immune system
Vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps shield the body from
damage brought on by free radicals, is abundant in passion fruit.
By assisting the body's absorption of more iron from
plant-based meals, vitamin C strengthens the immune system and may increase the
body's capacity to fight against infections.
Reduce anxiety
Magnesium, an essential element linked to decreased stress
and anxiety, can be found in passion fruit.
According to a 2017 systematic review, magnesium may be able
to assist people control their anxiety. However, the researchers claim that the
evidence is of poor quality, necessitating further research.
In addition, the magnesium content of passionfruit is only 5
mg, or barely 1.1% of the daily magnesium intake guidelines.
Foods with a low Glycemic Index
Passion fruit is a tropical fruit that has quite a low
glycemic index (GI) value. This means that it does not cause a rapid rise in
blood sugar after eating it, making it a good option for people with diabetes.
Most fruits have a low GI, though the American Diabetes
Association warns that dates, melon, and pineapple have a higher GI.
Preparing passion fruit
Cut a passion fruit in half and use a spoon to separate the
pulp from the shell before eating it fresh. The outer layer cannot be consumed.
Either the pulp or the seeds may be consumed by individuals.
By pressing the pulp through a sieve or cheesecloth, one can
extract the seeds and use the liquid in a variety of ways, including:
Making a drink by combining with water and sugar.
Blending it with other fruit juices like orange or pineapple
Combining the juice with yogurt and more fruit and cooking
it to create a Salad that may be used to
make a variety of dishes, including sauces and desserts
Transforming it into a jelly or jam, a soft drink, or wine
Even though passion fruit does not react well to heat
preservation and canning, it can be done by combining it with other fruits that
do. It can be frozen for later use.
Passion Fruit Risks
Passion fruit is usually safe to eat and good for you, but
some people are allergic to it. This is more likely if you’re allergic to
latex.
People allergic to passion fruit or latex might also react
to fruits such as:
Papaya
Avocado
Banana
Fig
Melon
Mango
Kiwi
Pineapple
Peach
Tomato
Passion fruit pulp also contains a toxin called cyanogenic
glycoside. This chemical can cause cyanide poisoning in high amounts. It’s
highest in very young, unripe fruits. Once the fruit is ripe, it’s safe to eat.
Source;
https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/passion-fruit-health-benefits
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