Yellow Dragon Fruit – Nature’s Boon For Seniors

What is Yellow Dragon Fruit? 

The plant is widely harvested in Central America and Asia. Because of its numerous benefits, Yellow Dragon Fruit has gained popularity worldwide. 

The most sought-after types of dragon fruit have bright red skin and green scales, closely resembling dragon skin. It is also the reason for this fruit’s exotic name. The most commonly available variety is the red dragon fruit with red skin, white or red flesh and small black seeds. While this is very popular, a lesser-known yellow version is also happily relished by many. Yellow dragon fruit has yellow skin and scales, white flesh and much larger black seeds. It is also slightly higher in sugar content than red dragon fruit, but mouth-wateringly sweet. 

Dragon fruit is often considered exotic, owing to its scarce availability, that too in selected places only. But, the taste and flavour of dragon fruit are not so foreign, instead, they are very similar to other fruits found natively in India. 

Along with being an exotic looking fruit, dragon fruit imparts many health benefits to its consumer, it is considered especially supportive to those with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. 

Origin of Yellow Dragon Fruit 

Yellow Dragon fruit is aboriginal to the northern parts of South America, now called Colombia and Ecuador. These fruits are abundantly grown in Colombia and exported to many countries worldwide. They are also grown heavily in California, Florida, Peru, Mexico And Bolivia. Yellow Dragon fruit is grown in relatively smaller quantities by those specialising in rare fruits in the aforementioned countries. 

The yellow dragon fruit, a cactus plant, has a long-extending stem (sometimes measuring up to 20 ft). It requires some form of support to grow further. This cactus thrives in waterless tropical or subtropical climates, and it is heat-resistant as well as vigilant against cold. 

How To Cultivate Yellow Dragon Fruit? 

The easiest way to grow dragon fruit from scratch at home is to purchase a dragon fruit from a nearby seller and plant the seeds. You should be aware that the growth of a dragon fruit plant from a single source can take many years, sometimes as long as five, before it bears fruit. 

Prepare the soil bed. Full sun is required for dragon fruit. So choose a sunny place in your garden. Potting soil should be well-drained as dragon fruits are sensitive if it is constantly wet. Cactus soil is not recommended. Because dragon fruits are tropical plants and require more water, cactus potting soil will retain moisture slightly better. 

Prepare the seeds. Slice a ripe Dragon fruit in half. Scoop out the black seeds. Clean the remnants of the fruit pulp and juice and dry the yellow dragon fruit seeds on a wet towel for 12 hours. 

Plant the seeds. Sprinkle the soil with the dragon fruit seeds and cover it with another thin layer of soil. It’s okay to only lightly cover it; they don’t have to be planted in deep mud. 

Water. You can cover your soil with plastic wrap if the ground starts to dry out. 

Support. When your dragon fruit plants reach twelve inches, they need help. A trellis or stake can be set up so your plant can reach its maximum height. 

How to Plant Yellow Dragon Fruit From Cuttings? 

With a cutting taken from a mature flowering plant, dragon fruit plants can be grown anew. 

Prepare the soil bed. Full sun is required for dragon fruit, so choose a sunny place in your garden. Potting soil should be well-draining as dragon fruit are sensitive to water-logging, and Cactus soil is not recommended. Because dragon fruits are tropical plants and require more water, cactus potting soil will retain moisture slightly better. 

You can also grow dragon fruits indoors in a container if the weather is not ideal for growing them. 

How to Grow Yellow Dragon Fruit From A Seed? 

1. Start with a fruit plant. After more than a dozen years of my experiment with dragon fruit (growing from seeds and receiving only minimal sunlight), this was my learning.

 2. Create the necessary conditions for success. Most importantly, your dragon fruit plant is looking for the sunshine its cactus heart needs. If you cannot provide it naturally at home, add simulated sunlight to increase your chances of success.

3. Use water sparingly, a tropical storm comes from an angry watering can. If you’ve put your dragon fruit in a cactus pot with good drainage, the fruit won’t be affected by periodic watering, but be careful not to overwater.

Benefits Of The Yellow Dragon Fruit For Seniors 

Yellow dragon fruit is rich in dietary fibre. This is good for seniors’ digestive system, as it helps eliminate toxins. And also because it reduces the burden on the organs and assists in liver detoxification. It can minimise constipation problems in pregnant women as well as other individuals. 

Formation of RBCs 

It is high in iron, helps with anaemia, and increases red blood cell production. 

Improves Cardiovascular Health 

Hylocereus giganthus is a beautiful source of unsaturated oil. It lowers seniors’ risk of heart disease and high blood cholesterol by reducing harmful cholesterol and replenishing sufficient levels. 

Strengthens Immunity 

An excellent source of antioxidants that help reduce cell damage is a way to lower seniors’ chances of getting cancer.  It has three times more Vitamin C than carrots, making it easier to get rid of heavy metals and other contaminants. It is good for healing cells and boosting the body’s innate capacity to deal with foreign antigens. 

Lowers Inflammation 

Omega-3 fats found in dragon fruit seeds protect organ systems from fungal and bacterial infections. The body’s white blood cells protect us against toxic substances using the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of the seeds. It stimulates the body’s ability to heal itself, speeding up the healing process for bruises and wounds. 

Enhances Beauty 

For good hair and skin health, it is crucial to have antioxidants, vitamins, monounsaturated fats, enzymes, minerals, and fibre in your diet. Yellow dragon fruit is a prominent source of all these elements. 

Nutrition Of Yellow Dragon Fruit 

Name Of The Yellow Dragon Fruit 

Yellow Dragon fruit is officially known as Pitahaya Amarilla. Yellow Dragon Fruit has the most delicious taste! Its sweetness is touted to be unparalleled. Owing to its bright yellow colour it is also sometimes called the golden fruit. 

Side Effects Of Yellow Dragon Fruit 

It is harmful to consume an excessive quantity of dragon fruit, this is for many reasons. It has high fructose levels, too much of which is adverse for seniors. It may cause a slight reddish urine colour due to overdose. 

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Frequently Asked Questions