Passion fruit is an exotic purple fruit that can be a healthful addition to a balanced diet. Passion fruit may offer numerous health benefits as it contains high levels of key vitamins and minerals and is rich in antioxidants.
Passion fruit is a flowering tropical vine, known as Passiflora, that grows in warm climates such as South America, Australia, South Africa, and India.
A common species of passion fruit is passiflora edulis, but there are different species and it may sometimes be referred to as granadilla.
Passion fruit contains a soft pulp and lots of seeds inside a hard rind. People can eat the seeds and pulp, juice them, or add them to other juices.
Passion fruit has recently gained a lot of attention because it is a source of powerful antioxidants and may also have other health benefits.
This article looks at the nutritional profile and possible health benefits of passion fruit.
Passion fruit is a beneficial fruit with a healthful nutrition profile. It contains high levels of vitamin A, which is important for skin, vision, and the immune system, and vitamin C, which is an important antioxidant.
One fruit without the refuse
- 229 IU of vitamin A
- 63 mg of potassium
- 5 mg of magnesium
- 5.4 mg of vitamin C
- 2 mg of calcium
- 0.29 mg of iron
- 1.9 g of fiber
Passion fruit also contains phosphorus, niacin, and vitamin B-6, all of which a healthy body also needs.
Passion fruit is rich in antioxidants, which are compounds that help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body.
Antioxidants play a vital role in keeping the body’s systems healthy. Scientists know that antioxidants improve blood flow, specifically to the brain and nervous system.
They also reduce cellular stress and reduce inflammation in the body, both of which have links to diseases, such as heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Passion fruit pulp contains a lot of dietary fiber. Fiber is a crucial component of every diet. It helps regulate the digestive system and keep the gut healthy, preventing constipation and bowel disorders.
According to the
Most people in America do not get enough dietary fiber. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s most recent dietary guidelines, the recommended intake is
Eating passion fruit regularly may help to prevent constipation and improve digestion and overall health.
Passion fruit is a tropical fruit that has a low glycemic index (GI) value. This means that it does not cause a steep increase 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.
Some research suggests that a compound found in passion fruit seeds could improve a person’s insulin sensitivity. Improving insulin sensitivity can help reduce the risk of many diseases, including diabetes.
A small-scale 2017 study on humans found that a substance called piceatannol could improve metabolism after animal studies had found the same.
The researchers found that men who were overweight and took
Passion fruit is rich in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that helps protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.
Vitamin C boosts the immune system by helping the body absorb more iron from plant-based foods, and may improve the body’s ability to fight off infections in the body.
Passion fruit is loaded with heart-healthy potassium and is also low in sodium.
Passion fruit, when eaten with the seeds, contains a lot of fiber, which can help to remove excess cholesterol from the inside of blood vessels. A high fiber diet can reduce a person’s risk of heart disease.
In addition, eating passion fruit may help improve a person’s blood pressure. Diets low in sodium and rich in potassium help to decrease blood pressure.
Passion fruit contains magnesium, which is an important mineral that scientists have linked with decreased stress and anxiety.
A
Moreover, passionfruit only contains
To eat a passion fruit raw, cut it in half and use a spoon to remove the pulp from the rind. The rind is not edible. People can eat both the seeds and the pulp, or just the pulp.
A person can remove the seeds by pressing the pulp through a strainer or cheesecloth and use the juice in a variety of ways, such as:
- mixing with water and sugar to make a drink
- adding the juice to other fruit juices, such as orange or pineapple
- adding the juice to yogurt with other fruit
- boiling it into a syrup that a person can make into many other things, such as sauces or desserts
- making it into a jelly or jam
- making it into a soft drink or wine
Passion fruit does not respond well to heat preservation and canning, but a person can do it by combining it with other fruits that respond better to this method. People can freeze it for later use.
The following are answers to common questions about passion fruit:
Is it OK to eat passion fruit seeds?
A person can eat the seeds of passion fruit along with the flesh.
What are the disadvantages of passion fruit?
For most people, passion fruit is perfectly safe to eat. However, some people with a latex allergy may react to passion fruit. This is called cross-reactivity. This is because there are some proteins in latex that are similar to those in passion fruit. People with a latex allergy should be careful when eating passion fruit until they know whether they also react to the fruit.
Does passion fruit make you sleepy?
Research shows passion fruit
What is the difference between passion fruit and passion flower?
Passion flowers and passion fruit can be of the same plant. The flower is the reproductive organ of the plant whereas the fruit is the structure containing the seeds. Usually, however, the term passion flower refers to a specific plant within the passiflora family that may have its own medicinal properties, particularly in helping with anxiety, insomnia, and pain.
Passion fruit is a tropical fruit that produces characteristic purple or yellow fruits.
The pulp and seeds found within the fruit are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and may have a range of health benefits.