8 Healthy Passion Fruit Benefits

Passion fruit is an intriguing and mysterious fruit that has a surprising number of health and medicinal benefits for those fruit lovers who choose to incorporate it into their diet.

A few of these benefits include its ability to enhance digestion, boost immune function, improve eye and skin health, lower blood pressure, boost circulation, and improve bone mineral density. Furthermore, it is known for lessening inflammation and improving sleep.

What is Passion Fruit?

Passion fruit looks a little strange growing on its creeper vine, which can wrap itself around almost any surface and cling onto it, seeking sunlight. But don’t let appearances fool you – this fruit is widely eaten around the world, and has been for hundreds of years. There are more than 500 varieties of passion fruit, with widely varying appearances. In terms of color, they are usually yellow or dark purple and look somewhat like a grapefruit in shape. The interior is filled with firm, juicy meat and an abundance of seeds. The fruit is regularly squeezed for the juice; you’ll often see it added to other juices to improve the flavor and add an exotic taste. ^[1]

You can find passion fruits grown in nearly any warm climate in the world, provided the temperature is frost-free throughout the year. This includes the South Pacific, Central America, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and various subtropical locations throughout the world.

Passion fruit is rich in antioxidants. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Nutritional Value of Passion Fruit

The long list of health benefits commonly attributed to passion fruit is due to the nutrient such as antioxidants, flavonoids, mineral, and vitamin content of the fruit. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, passion fruit contains vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, fiber, and protein. The percentages of many of the vitamins and minerals are surprisingly high, and passion fruit is a great addition to the diet that results in a number of amazing health benefits. ^[3]

Health Benefits of Passion Fruit

Let’s explore some of those benefits in greater detail below.

Boosts Immunity

A study by lead researcher Dr. Stephen Talcott of the University of Florida’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition indicates that passion fruit has a significant number of antioxidants, which help to enhance the body’s immunity. It is unknown to most people until modern times that the immune-strengthening property is due to the presence of vitamin C, carotene, and cryptoxanthin. ^[4]

Rich in Vitamin A

Vitamin A is linked to benefits in eye health, including the prevention of macular degeneration, cataracts, and night blindness. Furthermore, the high antioxidant content of passion fruit is helpful in reducing wrinkles, and promotes the proper functioning of membranes throughout the body, including the skin, to keep it hydrated and glowing! ^[5]

Aids in Digestion

Passion fruits are a very rich source of fiber, according to a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. A single cup of this fruit provides the human body with approximately 98 percent of its daily requirement. Fiber is an essential component of a healthy diet since it is the substance that facilitates healthy digestion of food, and the regulation of bowel movements. ^[6]

Reduces Blood Pressure

If you eat a one serving of passion fruit daily, you can satisfy one-quarter of your potassium needs. Potassium is a vital mineral in the human body for a number of reasons, one of which is its role as a vasodilator, according to a report by Dr. Robert Brace, author of “Fetal and Neonatal Body Fluids”. It relaxes the tension of blood vessels and promotes increased blood flow. This reduces the strain on the heart and increases overall cardiovascular health. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

Improves Circulation

When combined with the vasodilation properties of potassium, the high iron and copper content of passion fruit can really make an impact. Iron and copper are both essential components of red blood cell (RBC) production. Once the RBC count increases and the vessels are dilated, then healthy, oxygenated blood can flow freely to necessary areas of the body, stimulating the metabolic activity in all the organ systems and boosting productivity and efficiency. ^{[10] [11]}

Alleviates Bone Health

Passion fruit is a rich source of minerals including iron, copper, magnesium, and phosphorus; it is a very important fruit for increasing bone mineral density and bone strength. Many of these minerals play an integral role in creating additional bone matter, strengthening existing bone matter, and speeding up repair. This can be a means of preventing or alleviating the symptoms of osteoporosis, and the associated pain and inflammation that occurs when bones deteriorate with age and activity.

Reduces Insomnia

One often overlooked compound in passion fruit is a medicinal alkaloid, Harman, which functions as a sedative. This compound of passion fruit has been connected – mostly in fold medicine with a reduction in restlessness, insomnia, and nervous anxiety, which can keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. So, instead of a glass of warm milk, next time try reaching for a slice of passion fruit and head back to your pillow! ^[12]

Soothes Respiratory Conditions

A study in the journal Nutritional Research has shown that a combination of various extracts from the purple passion fruit peel creates a novel mixture of bioflavonoids. This mixture has an expectorant, sedative, and soothing effect on the respiratory system. It has been positively connected to a reduction in asthma attacks, wheezing, and whooping cough. ^[13]

Word of Caution: There are no inherent risks of eating passion fruit, and its wealth of nutrients and health benefits take care of most bodily concerns. However, it is a fruit that is very high in sugar content, so people with diabetes should be careful not to eat it in excess, (or at least be aware of checking sugar levels).