What is the passion fruit?
Passion fruit is the fruit of Passiflora edulis, of the Passifloraceae species. Native to the subtropical regions of South America, probably native of Paraguay, this plant is grown in several countries characterized by a rather warm climate, such as Brazil, Peru, South Africa, India, Indonesia and New Zealand.
What are the nutritional properties of passion fruit?
100 g passion fruit make about 36 calories broken down as follows:
- 60% carbohydrates
- 33% protein
- 7% lipids
Specifically, 100 g of passion fruit make:
- 3 g of protein
- 0.3 g of lipids
- 5.7 g of carbohydrates
- 13.9 g of fiber
- 190 micrograms of vitamin A
- 18 mg of vitamin C
- 2.5 mg niacin
- 0.14 mg of riboflavin
- 0.03 mg of thiamine
- 10 mg of calcium
- 19 mg of sodium
- 200 mg of potassium
- 0.6 mg of iron
When should you NOT eat passion fruit?
There are no known conditions to which passion fruit consumption could interfere with drugs or other substances.
Seasonality of passion fruit
Passion fruit is generally available any time of year. Its availability depends on the place of production. In New Zealand, for example, it reaches maturity between January and April.
Possible benefits and drawbacks of passion fruit
Thanks to the high presence of fibers, passion fruit could help to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and protect gut health. The fruit is also rich in vitamins A and C and flavonoids, which have an antioxidant effect and help prevent the formation of free radicals. The presence of vitamin A also makes it beneficial for the skin and vision. Thanks to the content of flavonoids it’s consumption could benefit the bone and cardiovascular system. Finally, it is also rich in potassium, which helps the body's hydration, helps adjust heart rate and monitor your blood pressure.
The passion fruit has no particular side effects, but its consumption is not recommended for those suffering from latex allergies. In addition, it should not be taken in excessive amounts, as it could have a laxative effect.
