Passion fruit is known by the name of Purple Granadillas. It is a small egg-shaped tropical fruit. A lot of seeds are found in this fruit and it has wrinkled purple brown rind when it ripens. The seeds and the pulp inside, both are edible, making it easier to consume the fruit. Moreover, the pulp of the fruit has a distinct fragrance and has a slightly sweet taste. In tropical countries, passion fruit is mostly used for juicing. The fruit is about 1 – 3 inches wide, with a smooth and waxy coating outside. Passion fruit is known for its beautiful white flowers with purple to pink crown blooms. The passion fruit leaves are hairless and lobbed. The two main commercial varieties are purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis L.), and yellow passion fruit (P. edulis f. flavicarpa).
The purple passion is mainly cultivated in Africa and India and the yellow passion fruit in Peru, Brazil and Ecuador. Apart from its pleasant flavor and look, the fruit is known for its various health benefits:
Health Benefits of Passion Fruit:
Used in Medicines: The juice but mainly the leaves of passion fruit contain the alkaloids, including Harman, which has blood pressure lowering, sedative and antispasmodic action. The passion fruit leaves are used in many countries as medicines.
Importance of Passion Flower: The flower of passion fruit has a mild sedative and can help to induce sleep. Passion flower has been used in the treatment of nervous and easily excited children, bronchial asthma, insomnia, nervous gastrointestinal disorders and menopausal problems. Passion flower is sometimes used as a mild hallucinogen.
Effective in Cancer: Researchers at the University of Florida have found that yellow passion fruit extracts can kill cancer cells in vitro. The phytochemicals which are responsible for this anti-cancer effect are carotenoids and polyphenols. Furthermore, The juice of passion fruit reduces cancer cell growth. Though research is underway on this issue, the phytochemicals in the fruit juice are considered to inhibit cancer cell growth.
Beneficial in Asthma: A study by Watson and his co-workers showed that the consumption of purple passion fruit peel extract can reduce asthma symptoms. They selected 42 patients received an oral administration of purple passion fruit extract. The passion fruit extract supplementation reduced the wheezing by 75 percent and increased forced vital capacity.
Effective in Heart: The phenolic acids and flavonoids present in the fruit are supposed to possess heart-protecting function.
There are many more benefits which are set out as follows:
- The phenolic profile of the fruit is famous for its anti-microbial activity.
- It is very good for attaining optimum health and to reduce weight.
- Passion fruit is a good source of antioxidants, both water soluble and fat soluble ones.
- Passion fruit is considered good for products which require pasteurization.
- The fruit is quite high in carbohydrates and simple sugars, which improves athletic performance.
- It contains plant sterols, which help in lowering the levels of cholesterol.
- Passion fruit is a reservoir of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Potassium.
- The seeds of the fruit are very vital sources of fiber.
- It is supposed to possess somniferous properties, which when taken before going to bed, help the person to relax and have a restful sleep.
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