Can the skin of dragon fruit be eaten?

Apr 25, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Zhengxin
Introduction
When eating dragon fruit, try not to discard its pink peel. The peel contains a certain amount of anthocyanins—a potent antioxidant with strong antioxidative properties. For women, it offers beautifying and skin-nourishing benefits. Additionally, the anthocyanins in dragon fruit peel help protect the body from harmful substances, safeguard blood vessels, and prevent hypertension.

Dragon fruit is a relatively common fruit with exceptionally high nutritional value. Some people claim that the peel of dragon fruit is also edible. So, is dragon fruit peel actually safe to eat?

Is Dragon Fruit Peel Edible?

Dragon fruit peel can be consumed raw or juiced. Eating the peel offers several health benefits: First, it contains a notable amount of anthocyanins—a potent antioxidant—which exerts antioxidant effects. For women, this may contribute to skin beautification and anti-aging benefits. Second, the anthocyanins in the peel help protect the body from harmful substances and support vascular health, potentially aiding in hypertension prevention. Third, the peel also contains a certain amount of beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body and supports eye health.

When eating dragon fruit, try not to discard its pinkish peel. You can scrape it off with a knife and consume it raw, cut it into thin strips for salads, or juice it—both options are excellent. Note, however, that dragon fruit peel is unsuitable for steeping as tea, boiling in soups, or steaming, as high temperatures may cause partial degradation of anthocyanins, thereby reducing its nutritional value.

Maintain a balanced diet and cultivate healthy lifestyle habits. Avoid overly monotonous food choices and refrain from consuming excessive amounts of dragon fruit at once. Instead, adopt a pattern of smaller, more frequent meals and chew food thoroughly and slowly—this promotes optimal gastrointestinal health. We hope this information proves helpful to you!