True to its name, passion fruit, its flowers, and its vines, have inspired researchers around the world to delve into the special properties of this delicious fruit.
Originally cultivated by the Aztecs, who prepared drinks from the fruit, Passiflora was introduced to Europe in 1629 by Spanish Jesuit missionaries in Brazil. The Passiflora genus is estimated to have more than 500 species, most producing fruits that are consumed and used in medicine and industrial processing.
Purple and yellow Passiflora edulis are the most commonly cultivated varieties, but passion fruits also come in red and green. Passion fruits are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Their unique tangy flavor is like a combination of guava, mango, pineapple, and melon. The oval fruit contains a soft pulp with many seeds inside a hard rind.
Benefits
Passiflora incarnata has long been used in folk medicine. The roots were used in an infusion to treat boils, to draw out inflammation from wounds, to treat ear aches and liver problems, and as a sedative for nervous conditions. TCM prescribes a soup from Passiflora pulp to treat ailments such as cough, hoarseness, constipation, arthralgia, dysentery, and insomnia.The peel contains high levels of polyphenols, fiber, and trace elements. It has been used in wine and tea, cooking, and medicine. The edible seeds are high in protein and linoleic and oleic oils.
More than 110 phytochemical constituents have been identified from the different plant parts of Passiflora, among which flavonoids have the highest concentration. These phytochemicals have antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, antitumor, and antidiabetic effects.
Heart
Passion fruit is loaded with heart-healthy potassium and is also low in sodium, both of which help to decrease blood pressure. When eaten with the seeds, passion fruit contains a lot of fiber, which can help remove excess cholesterol from inside blood vessels.Brain
Scientists know that antioxidants help protect the nervous system from damage and improve blood flow, specifically to the brain. They can encourage clear thinking and help prevent or reduce symptoms of depression.The rich antioxidants of passion fruit help reduce cellular stress and inflammation. One study of the polyphenol piceatannol from Passiflora seed extract found that the extract may be able to help prevent and treat Alzheimer’s.
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The vitamin C in passion fruit helps prevent brain cells from becoming damaged, and its magnesium reduces anxiety and stress.
Anti-Cancer
Studies have examined the anti-cancer properties of Passiflora. One 2020 study in Brazil of mice with cancerous tumors concluded that Passiflora leaf extract has cytotoxic and antitumor properties.Sleep
Passiflora incarnata has sedative and relaxing effects, as demonstrated in a study on mice. The leaves of Passiflora edulis are rich in flavonoids and alkaloids that are beneficial for sleep problems and used as a treatment for anxiety and insomnia in the United States and Europe.Digestion
Passiflora is a good source of fiber, potassium, and iron, which can improve the digestive system and help with regulating bowel movements.The polyphenols in passion fruit can benefit intestinal health, as reported in a study evaluating three Columbian passion fruit pulps for their polyphenol activity in preventing chronic intestinal inflammation.
