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Nutritional Value of
Passion Fruit
That long list of health benefits commonly
attributed to passion fruit is due to the nutrient, mineral, and vitamin
content of the fruit, which includes antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamin A,
vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, fibre,
and protein. The percentages of many of the vitamins and minerals are
shockingly high, and passion fruit is a great addition to the diet that can
result in a number of amazing health benefits. Let’s explore some of those
benefits in greater detail below.
Passion fruit is an intriguing and mysterious
fruit that has a surprising number of health and medicinal benefits for those
fruit lovers who add it to their diet. Some of these benefits include passion
fruit’s ability to prevent cancerous growth, stimulate digestion, boost immune
function, improve eyesight, increase skin health, regulate fluid balance in the
body, lower blood pressure, boost circulation, and improve bone mineral
density. Furthermore, it reduces signs of premature aging, lessens
inflammation, improves sleeping habits, and eliminates asthma.
Immune System: Since ancient times, passion fruit has been cultivated and
enjoyed because of the boost to the immune system that it seemed to provide.
Although this was unknown to most people until modern times, this immune strengthening
property was due to the presence of vitamin C, carotene, and cryptoxanthin. In
fact, a single service of passion fruit has more than 100% of the total
required intake of vitamin C for a healthy diet. All of these vitamins act as
antioxidants, which scavenge free radicals from the body and neutralize them
before they can harm the organ systems and result in conditions like cancer,
heart disease, or premature aging. Furthermore, vitamin C stimulates the
activity of white blood cells and the rest of the immune defence system,
thereby protecting you from common illnesses and serious diseases at the same
time.
Cancer Prevention: In a related note to the immune system health, passion fruit is
also a powerful source of anti-carcinogenic activity in the body. Antioxidants
in passion fruit primarily eliminate free radicals, which are known for
mutating the DNA of healthy cells into cancerous ones. Passion fruit also
contains vitamin A, various flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, all of which
have been linked to anti-cancer properties, particularly in terms of oral and
lung cancers.
Vitamin-A Content: Aside from its cancer-protective qualities, vitamin A is also
linked to improvements in eye health, including the prevention of macular
degeneration, cataracts, and night blindness. Furthermore, if you are concerned
about the appearance of your skin, not only is the high antioxidant content of
passion fruit helpful in reducing wrinkles, but vitamin A specifically
functions to boost the health and richness of the skin, and promotes the proper
functioning of membranes throughout the body, including the skin, to keep it
hydrated and glowing!
Digestive Health: Passion fruits are a very strong source of fibre, and a single
serving provides the human body with approximately 98% of its daily
requirement. Fibre is an essential component of a healthy diet, since it is the
substance that facilitates healthy digestion of food and the regulation of
bowel movements. Passion fruit is a good source of soluble fibre, both in the
pulp and in the rind, which acts as a bulk laxative, moving food through the
digestive tract and reducing exposure time of the colon to any toxins. It can
reduce signs of constipation by regulating bowel movements, scrubs the blood
vessels clean of excess cholesterol, and even prevent gastrointestinal
conditions like colorectal cancer!
Blood Pressure: If you eat one serving of passion fruit each day, you can
satisfy 1/4 of your potassium needs immediately. Potassium is a vital mineral
in the human body for a number of reasons, one of which is its role as a
vasodilator. It relaxes the tension of blood vessels and promotes increased
blood flow. This reduces the strain on the heart and increases overall
cardiovascular health. Furthermore, potassium is necessary to maintain the
proper fluid balance of the body’s cells. Movement between membranes is often
only allowed through potassium-regulated channels, so proper amounts of this
mineral are of extreme importance. So make sure you pop a passion fruit into your
lunch once in a while to keep your heart healthy and your cells functioning!
Improved
Circulation: When combined with the vasodilating
properties of potassium, the high iron and copper content of passion fruit can
really make an impact. Iron and copper are both essential components of red
blood cell production, so once the RBC count increases and the vessels are
dilated, then healthy, oxygenated blood can flow freely to necessary areas of
the body, stimulating the metabolic activity in all the organ systems and
boosting productivity and efficiency. Healthy blood flow is essential for
proper functioning!
Bone Health and
Mineral Density: Since passion fruit is such a
rich source of minerals like iron, copper, magnesium, and phosphorus, it is a
very important fruit for increasing mineral bone density and bone strength.
Some of these minerals are integral parts in creating additional bone matter,
strengthening existing bone matter, and speeding up repair. This can be a means
of eliminating, preventing, or alleviating the symptoms of osteoporosis and the
associated pain and inflammation that occurs when bones deteriorate with age
and activity.
Insomnia: One often overlooked compound in passion fruit is a medicinal
alkaloids, including Harman, which functions as a sedative. This compound of
passion fruit has been connected to a reduction in restlessness, insomnia,
sleeplessness, and nervous anxiety which can keep you from getting a good
night’s sleep. So, instead of a glass of warm milk, next time try reaching for
a slice of passion fruit and head back to your pillow!
Respiratory
Conditions and Asthma: Recent studies have shown that a
combination of various extracts from the purple passion fruit peel creates a
novel mixture of bioflavonoids, which have an expectorant, sedative, and
soothing effect on the respiratory system. It has been positively connected to
a reduction in asthma attacks, wheezing, and whooping cough. Next time someone
in your family starts hacking and coughing, slice off some passion fruit peel and
see if that calms them down.
A Few Words of Warning: There are no inherent risks of eating passion fruit, and its
wealth of nutrients and health benefits take care of most bodily concerns.
However, most of the calories of this fruit do come from sugars, so people with
diabetes should be careful to not eat it excessively, or at least be aware of
your blood sugar levels. Other than that, enjoy passion fruit and start feeling
better in countless ways in no time!
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