An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Oranges and lemons help you fight infections and colds. It seems as if every fruit known to man, is beneficial nutritionally or medically to man, in some way. Scroll below to learn how eating passion fruit is good for your body.
Fruits come in all shapes, sizes and colors. One unusual looking, exotic, native South American fruit is the Passiflora edulis, also known as the passion fruit. This fruit is either rich dark purple or a bright yellow color on the outside, with a seed ridden, juicy yellow fruit flesh within. The passion fruit is known for its unique, refreshing and naturally cooling taste. Even if not chilled, biting into this fruit will make you feel as if the coolest, lightest liquid is filling your mouth. This fruit's rich taste comes with a zesty aroma. The passion fruit is a versatile culinary item. It can be enjoyed in the liquid form as juice. The juice is often added to fruit juices and other fruity beverages, to enhance flavor. It can be made into jams, fruit puree or syrup or eaten raw. It has a tart but sweet taste and makes an ideal ingredient for desserts. But there is more to this fruit, than just an attractive look and a delicious taste. Listed below are the various health benefits of passion fruit.
Passion Fruit Health Benefits
High in Fiber: The passion fruit has a high content of dietary fiber. So for better digestion, a clean digestive tract and intestines as well as a cleaner colon, this fruit should be eaten as a fruity source of fiber. The seeds of this fruit are edible and are counted as part of the fruit's fiber content. Its fiber content allows the passion fruit to act as a mild laxative.
Antioxidant Rich: The rich coloring of the fruit, from its dark purple exterior to its orange colored flesh, is due to the presence of antioxidants, which means this fruit inhibits the growth of cancerous cells in the body, when consumed as a part of a balanced diet. Passion fruit has both water and fat soluble antioxidants. One of the key antioxidants found in this fruit is beta-carotene.
Eases Asthma: For those suffering from asthma, passion fruit is a very nutritious and wholesome fruit, as its consumption soothes and eases asthma attacks and symptoms. While the presence of vitamin C is the most probable cause of this effect, passion fruit seems to have a blocking effect on histamine, a biochemical component that causes asthma symptoms to occur.
Relaxing Effect: A tall cool glass of passion fruit juice can help relax your nerves and your mind, leaving you with a calm feeling within. Passion fruit juice is also prescribed for digestive problems and helps with indigestion and gastric ailments.
Helps with Insomnia: Passion fruit has a somniferous effect on the human nervous system, wherein it promotes a feeling of calmness and relaxes the mind. This helps insomniacs or those who cannot sleep well. A glass of passion fruit juice before sleeping can ensure an uninterrupted night's sleep.
Good Source of Nutrients: The passion fruit is a good source of vitamin C. A serving of 100 g (3.5 ounces) contains 30 mg of vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. Vitamin C increases the body's immunity and is also an antioxidant. So the body's ability to heal internally is quickened, it is capable of resisting infection and the risk of getting a heart attack or cancer is greatly reduced, thanks to a regular and correct intake of vitamin C.
A 100 g serving of passion fruit contains 1275 IU of vitamin A. Vitamin A improves eyesight and vision quality and helps in fighting infections. Plus, it ensures a healthy glowing skin and proper internal cell growth. The passion fruit is an excellent source of potassium (348 mg in 100 g). This mineral has a healthy effect on the human heart and helps in regulating the heart's rate of functioning and the flow and pressure of blood in the body. In addition to potassium, the passion fruit also contains good amounts of iron, magnesium and calcium, making it a very nutritious fruit.
Great Dietary Aid for Weight Loss: For those watching their weight or trying to lose pounds, fruits are the recommended culinary food. But the passion fruit seems to be designed for a weight loss diet. It is low in calories, only 97 calories per 100 g! It is low in sodium and fat. It has a good amount of carbohydrates and natural sugars, so the human body recovers quickly from a workout and energy levels are replenished. The fruit's nutrients work on lowering cholesterol levels in the body. Plus, the high fiber content means a serving of this fruit satiates your appetite and keeps you full, so you don't gorge on other foods.
Always choose a heavy, plump fruit, which is either purple or yellow in color. Unripe passion fruits are green in color, avoid under or too ripe fruits. The skin can be creased or smooth. Fruit with a creased skin is actually tastier and fuller to eat. The health benefits of passion fruit seem too good to be true and make this fruit a veritable health 'power food'. So try to incorporate this fruit in your food menu, either in the solid or liquid form.
