Passion Fruit Origin & Top 5 Nutritional Facts
Did you know that Brazil accounts for over 50% of the world’s total production and consumption of passion fruit?
Brazilians absolutely love the fruit and consume it largely in the form of fruit drinks. Even the country’s national cocktail- Caipirinha is often prepared with passion fruit instead of lime.
Today the tropical fruit is cultivated all around the world where climate conditions allow it, but it was first exclusively a South American fruit consumed for its many health benefits.
Passion Fruit Origin
Passion fruit also known as granadilla or maraquia is native to Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina and has traditionally been enjoyed in these countries for its rich taste and multiple nutritional values.
The fruit comes in two main variants- yellow and purple. It has a slightly sharp but sweet taste and seedy meat. It’s the fruit of the passionflower or passiflora, a plant that carries a religious symbolism. The flower’s name was given by Christian missionaries in Brazil, around 1700, in an attempt to aid the converting of indigenous people to Christianity. It was called the “flower of the five wounds" and represented the crucifixion of Christ.
Besides its spiritual role, passion fruit is a healthful berry long used for its nourishing qualities. Here are 5 passion fruit health facts that will convince you to add it to your healthy and nutritious diet.
Passion Fruit Is Rich in Vitamins & Minerals
Passion fruit is packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals. One fruit has 229 IU(international units) of vitamin A, 5,4 mg of vitamin C, 63 mg of potassium, 5 mg of magnesium, 2 mg of calcium, 0.29 mg of iron, and 1.9 grams of fiber. It also contains phosphorus, niacin (vitamin B3), and vitamin B-6 in a quantity that’s enough for our bodies’ needs.
The vitamin C found in this fruit juice can help us fight seasonal illnesses like the flu and the common cold. Vitamin A helps protect the retina and promotes healthy vision. Vitamin A is also associated with healthy hair and skin. The minerals in the fruit, on the other hand, keep our bones strong, boost brain power and increase energy levels.
Passion Fruit Is Full of Antioxidants
The vitamins in passion fruit are also a great source of healthy antioxidants that help you eliminate harmful free radicals in the body. Passion fruit in particular contains caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, isovitexin, quercetin, rutin, luteolin, and C-glycosyl flavonoids-antioxidants that help decrease inflammation and reduce oxidative stress.
A diet rich in antioxidants can also lower the risk of heart and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s- ensuring our cognitive abilities are less harmed by aging.
Passion Fruit Is Excellent Source of Fiber
Passion fruit is a great source of fiber. Half a cup of its raw pulp provides between 9 and 12 grams of dietary fiber. When consumed with the seed it can help get rid of cholesterol in blood vessels and lower heart-related issues.
Eating passion fruit on a regular basis will help you maintain healthy bowel movements, aid in achieving healthy weight loss, and even prolong your life.
Passion Fruit Improves Insulin Sensitivity
Passion fruit contains a polyphenol called piceatannol that has drawn the attention of scientists with its health-boosting properties. A study on the effects of the compound found that piceatannol can help glucose breakdown, improving insulin sensitivity, and decreasing the risk of diabetes.
The study focused on the effects of piceatannol on overweight men, finding that if they take 20 mg of the compound for 8 weeks, the tested men will see improvement in their metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
Passion Fruit Boosts Immunity & Heart Health
Passion fruit is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants a combination that helps our bodies build a strong resistance against viral diseases and fight off infection. Vitamin C aids the body in absorbing iron from foods thus boosting our metabolism and increasing our energy levels.
The fruit is loaded with potassium and is low in sodium, which makes its juice the ideal aid for lowering high blood pressure and promoting heart-health.
The exotic passion fruit is loaded with plenty of plant-derived nourishing ingredients that offer a way to pump up your overall health. Consumed, raw, or in the form of fruit juices, passion fruit is the perfect complement to your health-centered diet. Beverage Universe is your partner in the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle and will deliver all the drinks you need right to your door.