Dragon fruit is making a recent comeback, so you may have noticed its infrequent appearance in grocery stores. There’s more to this fruit than meets the eye. It’s full of nutrients and has lots of health benefits–it’s even good for the thyroid.
What is a thyroid?
The thyroid, also called Ductless gland, is an invertebrate, secretor. The thyroid is found in the neck and consists of two connected lobes.
It’s located near the Adam’s apple. Its primary functions involve producing the iodine-containing Thyroid hormones – triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). It also produces the calcitonin hormone. The thyroid hormones have a wide range of effects on humans: metabolic, cardiovascular, developmental, etc.
What happens due to Thyroid disorder?
Thyroid hormones are important for metabolism, maintaining body temperature, and mood. Excessive production of the thyroid hormones is called hyperthyroidism. Some causes can be from an exophthalmic goiter, toxic multinodular goiter solitary thyroid adenoma, inflammation or a pituitary adenoma that secretes excess TSH.
Another cause can be excess iodine availability, either from exorbitant ingestion of the drug amiodarone or due to iodinated contrast imaging.
Underactive endocrine leads to hypothyroidism. Typical symptoms are abnormal weight gain, tiredness, constipation, heavy menstrual bleeding, hair loss and cold intolerance, as well as slowness in pulse rate. Iodine deficiency is the most regular reason behind hypothyroidism worldwide, with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis being the dominant cause in developed countries.
What is dragon fruit and how does it help in Thyroid disorder?
Dragon Fruit, also known as Pitaya, is a cactus that originated in Mexico. It has tiny black seeds, and therefore it’s textured sort of like a kiwi or watermelon. The sweet flavor is mildly earthy and a touch sweet. The deeper the color on the flesh, the sweeter the flavor is.
This tropical fruit can grow as tall as 20 feet and produce for several decades after it’s first planted. As of now though, dragon fruit fares well in nutrition-wise; according to myPlate guidelines from the Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), Dragon Fruit boasts vitamins B1 through C which are all very beneficial for the thyroid.
Consuming one cup of dragon fruit will have many benefits for you; including boosting your system, improving thyroid function, improving your skin quality and metabolism!
Some other health benefits of Dragon fruit for the thyroid:
Dragon fruit has been shown to reduce risks for atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and stroke. It does so through higher HDL cholesterol levels and lower LDL cholesterol levels in the body.
The antioxidants help to accelerate your mess of immunity and also work to extend your platelet count which might make it easier for you to pass through a sickness. Hypothyroidism can lead to weight gain and consuming dragon fruit helps with weight loss.
The high levels of antioxidants, fiber, and antioxidants in both the red and white forms of dragon fruit are shown to reduce both insulin resistance and liver disease.
Consuming this fruit can help reduce hunger while also improving certain features of metabolic syndrome that may be precursor to type II diabetes.
Another advantage with thyroid illness is either diarrhea or constipation, so Dragon Fruit contains prime quality fiber that will aid with digestion and prebiotic properties that help promote the expansion of healthy gut bacteria. It provides great support for intestinal infections like dysentery while helping resolve conditions like IBS as well.
Other Health Benefits of dragon fruit
Dragon fruit offers many awesome benefits, including fighting cancer and reducing diabetes. This fruit is also rich with antioxidants that may help eliminate free radicals and are linked to prevention of cancer. A recent study links dragon fruit to reduced risk of carcinoma.
Furthermore, the oligosaccharides in this fruit may also help with liver disease, osteoporosis, arthritis pain, eye problems, and other ills!
Dragon fruit contains cancer fighting properties, as well as antioxidants which might help protect your cells from free radicals. Another study shows that this tasty fruit may have the ability to help combat carcinoma.
It’s also been linked to prevention of diabetes, and liver disease. It could also help protect your bones, reducing arthritis pain, preventing eye problems and things in between.
