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This funny looking fruit looks like something out of Little Shop of Horrors but don’t let that scare you off.

Also known as pitaya, these bizarre-looking fruits contain around 60 calories each and are rich in vitamin C, B1, B2 and B3, and minerals such as iron, calcium, and phosphorus. The Dragon Fruit is grown in tropical and subtropical regions in South America and Asia. Considered a cactus plant, it is vibrant green and reddish-pink on the outside but inside is a creamy white flesh spotted with tiny black seeds.

Dragon fruit is not a fruit that we would usually purchase but I have done some research and found it is a fruit we should start eating on a regular basis.

Dragon fruit is extremely low in cholesterol and helps decrease bad cholesterol levels and replenish good levels. It’s an excellent source of monounsaturated fats, helping the heart stay in great condition.

They have a high fiber and protein content, which can assist with poor digestion and constipation. The high amount of fiber in dragon fruit can ultimately help regulate diabetes, as it can stabilize blood sugar levels by suppressing sugar spikes. They are also known for helping with reducing the amount of insulin required to manage type 1 diabetes. If you are a type 1 diabetic sufferer using insulin, try incorporating dragon fruit with some of your meals and see what it does for you as an addition to your diabetic diet.

Dragon Fruit also has active antioxidants that rid the body of free radicals and cancer-producing properties. It is also known for being an anti-inflammatory fruit which can help with arthritis and other joint pain.

Not only does this fruit taste beautifully refreshing it can also be used to help with skin irritations and blemishes. Rich in vitamin C and vitamin B3, this fruit becomes a great topical ointment. To help with acne prone skin press a slice of dragon fruit into a paste and apply it to your reddened areas on your face or skin, then rinse with water. To soothe sun burnt skin, combine the dragon fruit paste with cucumber juice and honey. The mixture can then be used to moisturize sunburned skin and release heat from the affected area.

Don’t let the bizarre outer skin of the Dragon Fruit scare you off. It is easy to eat and can also be incorporated into a salad or as a snack. All you need is a spoon to dig out its goodness, similar to a kiwi or bite it right off of the peel. It is also sold as a dried fruit which makes a great salad topper or mixed into to yogurt.