Benefits of dragon fruit

May 15, 2012 3:01:52 PM PDT
Dragon fruit is relatively new to the United States, and there are still a lot of people who don't know about it. Never heard of pitaya? It is also known as dragon fruit. It's grown in Asia. That's why the fruit is popular at markets in Chinatown. Pitaya is also grown in Central America. That's where Eric Helms sources his pitaya for juice generation.

The inside of his pitaya is pink. He uses a pureed and frozen version for smoothies. Asian versions are white. There are health benefits, according to registered dietician Elisa Zeid

That's probably why we're seeing it in skin care products, such as one from Peter Thomas Roth. The pink cream is used in spa treatments at Equinox. Even Julia Roberts' character uses it in a scene from Mirror, Mirror.

Dragon fruit was only allowed in the United States 4 years ago. Already, we're eating it, slurping it and wearing it.

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