Passion fruit and lime: which is healthier?

When it comes to healthy fruits, oranges, apples, and bananas usually come to mind. However, among tropical fruits, passion fruit and lemon are also rich in nutrients and have many health benefits.

Passion fruit and lemon both provide vitamins, antioxidants and fiber. However, they still have differences in chemical composition and biological effects, according to the health website Healthline (USA).

Passion fruit is suitable for people who want to control blood sugar and improve digestion.

PHOTO: AI

To know whether passion fruit or lemon is better for health, the following factors need to be considered:

Nutritional composition

Passion fruit is small but rich in nutrients. One passion fruit contains about 17 calories, 2 grams of fiber and provides up to 9% of the daily vitamin C requirement, 8% of the daily vitamin A requirement. In addition, passion fruit is rich in potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and many powerful antioxidants such as polyphenols and carotenoids.

Passion fruit has a low glycemic index, which helps to limit sudden increases in blood sugar after eating. We also get good fats and a rich amount of fiber if we eat the seeds.

Meanwhile, lemons stand out thanks to their high vitamin C content and many other biological compounds. Lemons contain vitamin C, soluble fiber and many plant compounds that are beneficial to health, especially polyphenols and citric acid. Studies show that flavonoids in lemons help reduce the risk of stroke and improve cardiovascular health.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

Passion fruit is a rich source of antioxidants, including vitamin C, carotenoids, and flavonoids. Some research evidence suggests that drinking passion fruit juice helps stabilize blood sugar after meals. The compound piceatannol in passion fruit seeds has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, which may help prevent type 2 diabetes.

Lemons also contain many antioxidant compounds, especially vitamin C and polyphenols such as flavonoids and limonoids. Experiments on mice have shown that polyphenols from lemons help slow down the aging process, reduce skin damage and support the balance of intestinal microflora. In addition, research has also shown that lemon extract has the ability to inhibit the ACE enzyme, thereby helping to control blood pressure and improve fat metabolism.

Digestion and metabolism

Thanks to its high fiber content, passion fruit is especially good for the digestive system. Fiber increases stool volume, stimulates intestinal motility and prevents constipation. With a low glycemic index, passion fruit also rarely causes a sudden increase in blood sugar, so it is suitable for people who need to control blood glucose.

On the other hand, lemons are also beneficial for digestion thanks to the soluble fiber that slows down sugar absorption. However, because they are usually consumed in juice form, the fiber content of lemons is significantly lower.

Heart and blood pressure

Passion fruit is rich in potassium, a mineral that is important in regulating blood pressure. Combined with fiber, potassium helps to remove excess cholesterol, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. In addition, the antioxidant compounds in passion fruit help reduce chronic inflammation, an important risk factor for heart disease.

Limes also provide cardiovascular benefits due to their flavonoid and limonoid content, which can improve endothelial function and lower blood pressure. Lime extract has also been shown to reduce ACE activity, thereby effectively controlling blood pressure and fat metabolism.

Notably, a recent scientific review on the medical research site ScienceDirect found that lemongrass essential oil reduced blood pressure and heart rate in patients with myocardial infarction, as well as reduced anxiety in psychological tests.

Both passion fruit and lime are good for health. However, passion fruit is suitable for people who need to control diabetes and digestion, while lime is more useful in boosting immunity and preventing cardiovascular disease, according to Healthline .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chanh-day-va-chanh-ta-loai-nao-tot-hon-cho-suc-khoe-185251004000059681.htm