8 Benefits of Passion Fruit for Body Health, from Skin to Seeds

Kapanlagi.com - The sour taste and abundance of seeds are very characteristic of this tropical fruit. Especially if not passion fruit which is very familiar to the Indonesian people. But who would have thought behind its sour taste, the benefits of passion fruit are very good for the body's health.

Passion fruit is a fruit that often grows in tropical areas like Indonesia. Passion fruit has a round shape with slightly hard skin. This fruit is somewhat similar to pomegranate with a seed-like shape when split. However, passion fruit has yellow membranous seeds and tastes very sour.

Based on its color, at least two types of passion fruit are known, namely purple passion fruit and yellow passion fruit. Both have beneficial effects on the body, from the skin to the seeds.

Although most of them have a sour taste, passion fruit is very delicious to consume. Especially when made as a warm or cold drink with the addition of honey and sugar, which makes the sour taste feel fresher.

Behind the refreshing taste of passion fruit, it turns out that passion fruit is known to be very good for health. Not only the fruit itself but also the seeds and skin of passion fruit have equally beneficial effects on the body.

So what are the health benefits of passion fruit from its skin to its seeds?

The health benefits of passion fruit for the body are summarized in several points below. The high vitamin content in passion fruit is a factor that makes this fruit very beneficial for the body. Here are 8 health benefits of passion fruit for the body summarized from hellosehat.com, medicalnewstoday.com, healthifyMe.com, and the reference book entitled "The Role of Passion Fruit Seeds in Oxidative Stress and Lipid Profiles" by Dina Keumala Sari.

1. High Antioxidant Content

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One of the benefits of passion fruit for body health is obtained from its high antioxidant content. These antioxidants are found in passion fruit seeds, skin, and fruit, which can prevent high cholesterol levels and counteract free radicals that cause diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

This is mentioned in a reference book entitled "The Role of Passion Fruit Seeds in Oxidative Stress and Lipid Profiles" by Dina Keumala Sari, which produces data that the extract of passion fruit seeds can slow down the increase in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in rats that were the subjects of the study for 14 days.

2. Reducing Oxidative Stress

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Oxidative stress is a condition where the body has an excessive amount of free radicals. This can lead to health problems such as premature aging, heart disease, cancer, and others caused by free radicals.

However, it seems that the benefits of passion fruit for the body's health are able to reduce oxidative stress. This can be obtained from the seeds, skin, and fruit of the passion fruit. The research conducted by Dina Keumala Sari on the effects of passion fruit seeds on oxidative stress serves as a reference for the benefits of passion fruit seeds in reducing oxidative stress.

The ethanol extract in passion fruit seeds is able to reduce the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total cholesterol, and triglycerides during a 14-day trial on rats. However, this research has not been tested on humans, but it is expected to have the same benefits in reducing oxidative stress.

3. Help Overcome Constipation

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At least in 1 cup of passion fruit which contains (236.000g) with 229 calories, it contains 25 grams of fiber with a daily value of 88 percent. Surely, seeing the sufficient amount of fiber in passion fruit has good benefits for body health.

The high fiber content is able to maintain the health of the digestive system, especially the intestines, and overcome digestive disorders such as constipation. However, to overcome these health problems, it must be balanced with other intake such as fruits and vegetables to achieve maximum results.

4. Help Lower Cholesterol

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The benefits of passion fruit for body health can also help lower cholesterol, which is a risk factor for diseases such as heart disease. These benefits are obtained from the seeds of passion fruit which contain antioxidants such as piceanntanol and phytosterols that can lower cholesterol.

5. Boost Immune System

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A high immune system can certainly keep the body protected from various diseases and viruses. Therefore, maintaining good body immunity is necessary to avoid getting sick easily. To boost the immune system, it can be obtained by consuming passion fruit which has the benefit of boosting the immune system.

This benefit is found in passion fruit which contains a lot of vitamin C. Vitamin C is believed to be able to enhance a weakened immune system, thus increasing body immunity and fighting against diseases and viruses.

6. Lower Blood Sugar Level

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High blood sugar levels are one of the causes of diseases such as diabetes in a person's body. Keeping blood sugar levels normal can certainly prevent the risk of such diseases.

One way to achieve this is by consuming passion fruit which has the benefit of lowering blood sugar levels. The relatively low glycemic index content in passion fruit is believed to help lower high blood sugar levels in the body.

7. Prevent Infections

The benefits of passion fruit for body health can prevent infections that attack the body. This is because of its high antioxidant content and vitamin C that can help the body fight various diseases, including repairing damaged body tissues.

8. Natural Dye

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The benefits of purple passion fruit skin can be useful as a natural dye for cosmetics. This is in accordance with research conducted by Monalisa S, a student at the University of North Sumatra who studied the benefits of purple passion fruit skin ethanol extract as a lipstick dye. The results of the study show that passion fruit skin can be used as a natural lipstick dye that is known not to cause irritation to the skin.

These are the 8 benefits of passion fruit for body health, from the skin to the seeds. Of course, to achieve maximum results and provide benefits to the body, it needs to be balanced with the intake of fruits and vegetables and a healthy lifestyle.

(kpl/nlw)