Passion fruit is an intriguing and mysterious fruit that has a surprising number of health and medicinal benefits for fruit lovers. It can be consumed raw, as well as utilised like a seasoning for a number of drinks and sauces. The fruit is a very rich source of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and fibre. The fruit belongs to the plant family – Passifloraceae, genus: Passiflora and species: Pedulis
There are very many reasons to smile once you are a regular consumer of passion fruits. This is due to the numerous health benefits associated with it. Some of these health benefits are that passion fruit is abundant with vitamin C, an anti-oxidant that safeguards you from the harm of free-radicals, avoiding premature aging as well as keeping the immune system powerful.
The fruit is a very good source of dietary fibre which when added to your diet helps to remove cholesterol from the body. Being a good bulk laxative, it also helps protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time to toxic substances in the colon and wiping off cancer-causing toxic substances from the colon.
High potassium content with almost no sodium makes passion fruit highly effective in protecting our body from high blood pressure. Potassium regulates electrolyte balance and controls the muscle function of our entire body including heart muscles that create heartbeat. It is also responsible for the release of calcium in the blood stream, which can cause blockages in the arteries if released in excess. These three functions of Potassium make it an indirect factor, which regulates optimum blood pressure in the body.
Passion fruit contains soluble fibre that cleanses toxins stored in the colon by facilitating healthy and regular bowel movement. Apart from the fibre content, the antioxidants in Passion fruit also aid in cleaning the colon.
Your vision and eye health tends to deteriorate with age. Passion fruit is among those healthy foods that prove beneficial for your eye. It contains a high amount of antioxidant like Vitamin A, Vitamin C and flavonoids. These nutrients protect your eyes from the free radical damage and take care of the mucous membranes that shield cornea of the eye.
Regular consumption of passion fruits improves greatly one’s body immunity. The fruit also provides phytonutrients like Xanthin and Beta Carotene, which are highly effective in optimizing the immune function of our body. It results in a higher resistance against common disease like cold, flu and other infections.
Passion fruit is such a rich source of minerals like iron, copper, magnesium, and phosphorus making it 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.
Passion fruit seeds provide magnesium, an essential mineral that plays a prominent role in your health from the day you are born. For starters, magnesium plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism. It is also essential for proper heartbeat and nerve transmission. Furthermore, it helps genes function properly.
In conclusion, passion fruits prides itself in its 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. Additionally, it reduces signs of premature aging, lessens inflammation, improves sleeping habits, and eliminates asthma.
– Richard Komakech
