Passion Fruit: Properties and Benefits

Introduction

Passion fruit is the fruit that grows from  Passiflora edulis, a plant of the Passifloraceae family ^[ , originally from South America. In Italian it is known as  passion fruit or  maracuja. It is a sour, sweet, fragrant fruit. It has a globular shape and dimensions similar to a  mandarin . The pulp is very soft and full of small seeds. In the kitchen, it is mainly used for the production of juices, ice creams , jams, or eaten fresh. In cosmetics, on the other hand, the oil obtained from the passion fruit is a precious anti-ageing agent , an ally of cell regeneration.

There are two main varieties of passion fruit, which differ in size and in the color of the skin, red or yellow respectively. A fruit rich in vitamin C ( ascorbic acid ) and pro- vitamin A ( carotenoids , retinol equivalents / RAE). A veritable mine of beneficial substances: fiber ,  potassium and  iron.

Properties of Passion Fruit

Passion fruit boasts several beneficial properties. It contains a lot of dietary fiber , which is however predominantly found in the woody portion of the seeds (which is usually spat out). It does not contain cholesterol ,  lactose  and  gluten .

• Passion fruit is rich in  vitamins A, C  and  beta-carotene with great antioxidant power , essential for cell regeneration. Effective in skin care and against bacterial infections ;
• The fruit with the purple skin is rich in polyphenols ;
• The fruit with yellow skin instead contains prunasin and other cyanogenic  glycosides
• Contains high amounts of potassium , an effective ally for draining, stimulating diuresis and disposing of excess liquids.
• The  water-soluble fibers it contains also make it effective on an intestinal level: it cleanses the intestine , counteracts abdominal swelling , and delays the absorption of carbohydrates , thus facilitating fat metabolism.
• Ally of slimming diets : despite having a medium-high energy intake, mainly supplied by the concentration of sugars, it manages to wake up the metabolism.
• It is rich in vitamins B2 and B6 , and in pectin which is effective against ulcers and heartburn .

Passion Fruit: does it make you lose weight?

The answer, at first glance, would be affirmative: the fibers present in generous quantities in passion fruit mean that it has satiating properties and favors the metabolization of fats. The “pulp” of the passion fruit is also indicated in the diet against overweight and metabolic pathologies. Soluble fibers , in fact, act beneficially on the metabolism  by modulating absorption – decrease in the glycemic index , thus also reducing cholesterol. However, considering the important energy intake, it is better not to overdo it with too abundant portions: in the case of obese subjects , or with type 2 diabetes mellitus  and inhypertriglyceridemia , limited consumption is recommended.

How to use it in the kitchen

Today the passion fruit is easily available in grocery stores, but also in large retailers where tropical fruits are present . Its exotic flavor makes it interesting in the kitchen: the pulp and juice are used for the preparation of  jams , jellies , sauces and desserts, liqueurs, but also in savory dishes.

Passion fruit oil in cosmetics

In cosmetics, passion fruit is used precisely for the oil obtained from it. It is used in cosmetics mainly for massages and in the formulation of face and body creams with innumerable beneficial properties.  Passion fruit oil  repairs damaged skin helping it to regenerate. The composition in fatty acids : palmitic acid , oleic acid , tocopherols, which perform a natural anti-aging action, linoleic acid and, in particular, tocotrienols make it an oil capable of stimulating the healing and regeneration process of skin tissues.