Fruit of Passion : Everything You Need to Know

An overview of passion fruit

Passion fruit (Scientific name: Passiflora edulis), or as it is known as maracuya, passion fruit, passion fruit, missflora, or bisflora; One of the types of plants that belong to the Passifloraceae family, and tropical and subtropical areas are suitable environments for the growth of different species, and its original habitat is in the southern region of Brazil, then its cultivation extended to Paraguay, then northern Argentina, but it is currently cultivated in Australia, and the United States of America as well, and the plant can grow at a rate of 4 to 6 meters annually.

The passion fruit is characterized by an oval shape, and the colors of its hard, smooth peel with a waxy texture range from dark purple with faint white spots, and the color is light yellow or the color of pumpkin, and the peel is surrounded by a gap filled with orange-colored pulp, and this pulp contains 250 seeds Solid black or brown in color, and the ripe fruits of passion fruit can be distinguished by their weight compared to their size, and the thickness of their crust. As for the wrinkling of the crust, it means that it is about to dry out, and the pulp of the fruit can be frozen, or stored in the refrigerator for two to three weeks, but in cold weather it can be Keep it at room temperature.

The pulp and seeds of the removable parts to eat in the Passion Fruit, despite the acidity of the seeds to some extent, can also filter the pulp of the seeds industry juice from it, or boil the whole fruit and mixing industry juice, can also use the fruit in the jam Passion Fruit industry, In addition till then; Passion fruit seeds can be used in many functional food products, and the seed oil can be used as an aromatic material in preparing foods. Therefore, because of its smell, which is similar to the smell of this fruit.

Benefits of Passion Fruit

1- Fights Cancer

Passion fruit helps fight cancer cells and reduce their growth, because it contains antioxidants and chemicals that fight  cancer .

2- Helps improve bone health:

Passion fruit helps to have healthy bones in humans. It also fights bone and joint pain, and resist osteoporosis, especially with age, because it contains many minerals, such as iron, copper, phosphorous, and others.

3- Resist insomnia

The fruit of passion fruit contains a compound called Harman, this compound helps calm the nerves and get rid of insomnia, so doctors advise people who suffer from insomnia at night and stay up, to eat passion fruit, to help them sleep and relax.

4- Protection of the digestive system

The fruit of passion fruit regulates the movement of the stomach and intestines, because it is full of fiber, which helps the health of the digestive system, reduce constipation, protect against colon cancer, and reduce cholesterol .

5- Asthma treatment:

Passion fruit helps protect the respiratory system from some diseases such as asthma, because it is rich in antioxidants that dissolve in water or fat.

6- Protects the heart

because this fruit contains acids, which act as antimicrobials, so it protects the heart from diseases, such as heart attacks.

7- Helps reduce weight

This fruit is rich in fiber and minerals, which will stimulate the feeling of satiety and fullness, and thus reduce weight, so it is indispensable for those who follow a diet.

8- It is useful for pregnant women:

this is because it contains many minerals that the pregnant woman needs to build the health of her fetus, but doctors advise not to over-eat it for pregnant women, because it causes dizziness, nausea, and increases the speed of their heartbeat .

9-Anti-aging
Passion fruit, as it contains natural collagen, helps fight aging, signs of aging, and wrinkles.

10- Pain Relief The passion

fruit helps to relieve pain, due to the alkaloids contained in the harman compound found in its leaves, so it is used as a sedative in some popular areas of some countries.

11- Reducing nervousness:

Passion fruit helps reduce nervousness, and helps calm the soul, so some countries use it to treat nervous children.

12- Treatment of diabetes

This fruit helps to regulate blood sugar, so it is very useful for diabetics.

13- Prevents Hair Loss

Passion fruit helps reduce hair loss, giving it health and vitality.

14- Liver Protection:

Passion fruit protects the liver from diseases, rids it of toxins, and revitalizes it, as well as regulating its functions.

15- Treating malnutrition:

Passion fruit helps reduce malnutrition and treat anemia, because it contains many minerals and vitamins, which provide the body with what it needs to fight anemia and anemia.

 

The nutritional value of passion fruit

Passion fruit contains a number of vitamins and minerals, and the following table shows their quantities in one cup, or the equivalent of 236 grams of this fruit:

 

nutritional element	nutritional quantity	nutritional element	nutritional quantity
water	172 ml	Calories	229 calories
Protein	5.19 grams	total fat	1.65 g
carbohydrates	55.2 grams	Dietary fiber	24.5 grams
Calcium	28.3 milligrams	Iron	3.78 milligrams
magnesium	68.4 milligrams	phosphorous	160 milligrams
potassium	821 milligrams	Sodium	66.1 milligrams
zinc	0.236 milligrams	copper	0.203 milligrams
selenium	1.42 mcg	vitamin C	70.8 milligrams
Vitamin B2	0.307 milligrams	Vitamin B3	3.54 milligrams
Vitamin B6	0.236 milligrams	folate	33 micrograms
Vitamin A	3000 IU	Vitamin E	0.047 milligrams
Vitamin K	1.65 mcg	-	-

 

Disadvantages of using passion fruit

Some people who are allergic to the proteins in the latex, or the so-called plant milk, may experience an allergic reaction when eating this fruit. This is because it contains some proteins that are structurally similar to the proteins found in latex. On the other hand, the peel of the purple passion fruit can form what is known as cyanide poison, which may cause poisoning if taken in large quantities; It consists of mixing enzymes with chemicals found in the peel known as Cyanogenic Glycosides, but it is worth noting that the outer peel of this fruit is basically not edible as it is, but its extracts can be obtained.