Properties of passion fruit
Passion fruit is rich in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, flavonoids, and carotenoids, which is why it has antioxidant, anxiolytic, anti-obesity, digestive, hypoglycemic, sedative, hypotensive, and lipid-lowering properties.
Main benefits
The benefits of passion fruit are:
1. Reduce anxiety and stress
Passion fruit reduces the symptoms of anxiety and stress because it is composed of flavonoids, such as kaempferol and quercetin, which act directly on the nervous system, calming and promoting relaxation. Learn about other foods that help improve anxiety and stress.
2. Control and prevent diabetes
Passion fruit pulp and leaves are rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin C, beta-carotenes, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, which promote insulin production, helping to control blood glucose levels and prevent diabetes.
In addition, the fruit peel is rich in fibers such as pectin, which help the body slowly absorb sugar from food, thus balancing blood glucose levels.
3. Combat insomnia
The leaves, flowers, and pulp of passion fruit have mild sedative properties on the central nervous system, helping to combat insomnia and promoting a more peaceful and relaxing sleep.
4. Help in weight loss
Because passion fruit peel is rich in fiber, especially pectin, it helps slow down food digestion, increasing satiety between meals and promoting weight loss. In addition, passion fruit has a relaxing effect that can improve binge eating.
5. Prevent cardiovascular diseases
Because it contains high amounts of antioxidants, such as flavonoids and anthocyanins, passion fruit benefits arterial health and prevents the formation of free radicals, thus preventing chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Additionally, passion fruit pulp and peel, also rich in fiber, promote the reduction of fat absorption from food in the intestine, which can improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
6. Combat constipation
Passion fruit can combat constipation because it contains optimal amounts of fiber, which is important for facilitating the formation of fecal matter and aiding in stool elimination.
In addition, the pectin in passion fruit peel serves as food for the beneficial bacteria in our intestinal flora, promoting healthy bowel function.
7. Prevent sagging and premature aging
Passion fruit is rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins A and C, and anthocyanins, which protect skin cells from free radicals, preventing sagging and premature aging. See other antioxidant foods that prevent aging.
Additionally, the pulp and peel of this fruit contain optimal amounts of fiber that help control blood sugar, thereby reducing the formation of advanced glycation end products, called AGEs, which cause inflammation and sagging skin.
It's important to mention that to reap the benefits of passion fruit, it should be consumed alongside a balanced and healthy diet, in addition to regular physical activity.
