The sweet and refreshing taste and unique appearance make dragon fruit loved by many people, including children. In addition, this fruit also offers a variety of benefits for their health. Want to know what are the benefits of dragon fruit for children? Listen here.
Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that comes from the cactus tree. This fruit contains important nutrients needed by the child's body, including carbohydrates, fiber, iron, magnesium, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and E.
There are several types of dragon fruit scattered throughout the world, some of which have white, purple, yellow, or red flesh. However, the easiest one to find is dragon fruit which has red or white flesh color.
A series of benefits of dragon fruit for children
Mothers can give dragon fruit to your little one since he was 6 months old, precisely when he started getting complementary foods (MPASI). Even though dragon fruit has many seeds, you don't have to worry about giving this fruit to your children, okay?
Dragon fruit seeds can be eaten and do not cause adverse effects on children's health, how come. In fact, the seeds of this fruit are believed to contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which are very good for the body and brain development of children.
The benefits of dragon fruit for children are not only that, but also for:
1. Maintain endurance
The content of vitamin C in dragon fruit plays an important role in increasing and maintaining a child's immune system, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the combination of vitamin C and iron in dragon fruit can also increase the absorption of iron from food.
Iron is very important for children because it is the main component to form hemoglobin compounds. Without this compound, your little one's body can be deprived of oxygen, and this can endanger his health.
2. Smooth digestion
The fiber contained in dragon fruit can smooth the child's digestion and prevent constipation. In addition, consuming dragon fruit is also believed to be able to increase the growth of good bacteria in the intestines, so that the health of the little one's intestines can be well maintained.
3. Reduce consumption of unhealthy snacks
The fiber contained in dragon fruit can make your little one feel full longer, so that their desire to eat unhealthy snacks can be reduced.
4. Fight free radicals
Dragon fruit is rich in antioxidants which play an important role in counteracting free radicals and protecting children's body cells from damage that can trigger various types of chronic diseases, such as cancer.
In addition to counteracting free radicals, the antioxidants in dragon fruit are also able to reduce inflammation in the child's body.
5. Maintain healthy bones and teeth
The content of calcium and magnesium in dragon fruit has benefits for maintaining healthy bones and teeth in children. In addition, the magnesium in this fruit is also useful for keeping children's blood pressure normal and maintaining heart health.
Those are the various benefits of dragon fruit for children that you need to know. By knowing the information above, now you don't need to hesitate to give dragon fruit to your little one, okay? This fruit can be eaten directly or processed into various foods and beverages, such as fruit ice, fruit salad, smoothies, or puree.
Although it has many benefits, dragon fruit can cause allergies in some people. If your little one experiences itching on the skin, skin rash, or swelling in the mouth area after consuming dragon fruit, stop giving this fruit immediately and take your little one to the doctor for treatment.
