Passion fruit, also known for its potential medicinal properties, offers several health benefits. Discover them here.
Passion Fruit: Health Benefits
- Insulin Sensitivity Enhancement: Studies propose that a compound present in passion fruit seeds holds promise for enhancing insulin sensitivity, thereby reducing the likelihood of various diseases, such as diabetes.
- Vitamin C Abundance: Abounding in vitamin C, passion fruit serves as a potent antioxidant, shielding the body from the detrimental effects of free radicals. Furthermore, its vitamin C content bolsters the immune system by facilitating enhanced iron absorption from plant-based sources.
- Alleviation of Anxiety, Insomnia, and Pain: While "passion flower" commonly denotes a specific plant within the passiflora genus, it harbors potential medicinal benefits, particularly in alleviating symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and pain.
- Digestive Well-being: With its dietary fiber content, passion fruit supports digestion and mitigates the risk of constipation. Furthermore, the fruit's seeds boast abundant insoluble fiber, fostering a robust digestive system.
- Antioxidant Benefits: Abundant in antioxidants such as vitamin C and beta-carotene, passion fruit shields the body from oxidative stress, lowering the likelihood of chronic diseases.
- Based on the characteristics of passion fruit juice, with its exotic, acidic flavor, it was shown that said fruit can not only activate the functions of the gustatory cortex but also mediate in the functions of other cortical areas, neural plasticity, and synaptic connections.
- It has a positive effect on sleep onset: passion fruit contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which is important in the synthesis of serotonin and melatonin, substances related to sleep onset. Additionally, it is known that this fruit also has relaxing effects, so it can be a good idea to consume it at night.
These attributes position passion fruit as a potentially valuable dietary inclusion for fostering overall health and well-being.
Journey of Passion Fruit: From Amazon Origins to Global Emblem
Passion fruit finds its roots in South America, where indigenous tribes of the Amazon rainforest first cultivated it. Cherished for its exotic flavor, these tribes also attributed medicinal qualities to the fruit. Upon its discovery by Spanish explorers in the 16th century, it earned the moniker "passion fruit," evoking associations with the passion of Christ, influenced by the flower's resemblance to religious symbols. Over time, passion fruit journeyed to various tropical regions worldwide, embedding itself as a cherished culinary ingredient and symbolizing exotic taste and natural allure.
Interesting facts about passion fruit
- People allergic to latex may also be allergic to passion fruit because the structure of its proteins is similar to those of latex.
- Botanically, passion fruit is considered a berry, specifically a pepónide type berry. A pepónide type berry is a type of fleshy fruit that originates from an inferior ovary, characterized by a hard and impermeable cuticle. This type of fruit is characteristic of cucurbits, such as pumpkin, melon, watermelon, and cucumber.
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