Passion fruit | What is Passion fruit | What are the Health Benefits of Passion fruit and its Juices

Passion fruit | What is Passion fruit | Health Benefits of Passion fruit and its juices | Uses of Passion fruit and Passion fruit juice | Nutritional Value of Passion fruit

The passion fruit is round to oval, yellow or dark purple at maturity, with a soft to firm, juicy interior filled with numerous seeds. The fruit can be grown to eat or for its juice, which is often added to other fruit juices to enhance the aroma.

The two types of passion fruit have clearly differing exterior appearances. The bright yellow variety of passion fruit, which is also known as the Golden Passion fruit, can grow up to the size of a grapefruit, has a smooth, glossy, light and airy rind, and has been used as a rootstock for the purple passion fruit in Australia. The dark purple passion fruit is smaller than a lemon.

The purple varieties of the fruit reportedly have traces of cyanogenic glycosides in the skin, and hence are mildly poisonous. However, the thick, hard skin is barely edible.

These forms of Passiflora edulis have been found to be different species. They occur in different climate regions in nature and bloom at different times of day. The purple-fruited species is self-fertile and the yellow fruited species, despite claims to the contrary, is self-sterile and requires two clones for pollination.

Passiflora edulis or passion fruit, also known as Maracujá/Maracuyá in South America, or as Lilikoi (yellow), is a plant cultivated commercially in frost-free areas for its fruit. It is native to South America and widely grown in India, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Peru, California, Florida, Haiti, Hawaii, Australia, East Africa, Israel and South Africa.

Health Benefits of Passion Fruit:

>> Passion fruit have somniferous properties, and when taken before going to bed they are effective in relaxation and a restful sleep during the night. They also have febrifugal and soporific properties.

>> Since the seeds of passion fruit are rich in fiber, it aids in the improvement of the digestive system along with preventing colon cancer.

>> It also helps in the lowering of cholesterol in the body thus helping in the prevention of heart attacks and strokes through enhancement of cardiovascular health.

>> Also being rich in important nutrients like Vitamin A and C, passion fruit becomes invaluable for the health of a person.

>> The presence of Vitamin A helps in the removal of free radicals from the body thereby preventing various cancers as well as skin disorders.

>> In addition, presence of vitamin A in passion fruits also aids in the enhancement of vision. Similarly, Vitamin C helps in repairing tissues, preventing heart diseases and cancer.

>> Moreover, this fruit also helps in the strengthening of bones.

>> Amazonian tribes use the leaves of passion fruit plants as sedatives. They are used for reducing pains. This fruit is also used to treat depression and anxiety in traditional medicines.

>> Useful anti-oxidants can be found in passion fruits which in turn help in treating and preventing asthma, wheezing cough and other kinds of allergic ailments.

>> These fruits also aid in the overall relaxation of the body as they have somniferous properties and thus help in providing a restful and sound sleep when taken before sleeping.

>> Passion fruit is thus used for the overall enhancement of health and it is also extremely beneficial for those who are in a quest for weight reduction methods.

Nutrition of Passion Fruit:

1. Fresh passion fruit is high in vitamin A, potassium, and dietary fiber.

2. Passion fruit juice is a good source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

The yellow variety is used for juice processing, while the purple variety is sold in fresh fruit markets