Introduction

Overview of dragon fruit

Fruits and vegetables are essential and will give the necessary nutrients for survival. Most of all, both adults and children enjoy it because of its juicy taste and sweetness. You love eating fruit, too. Each fruit has different nutrients, which will provide essential nutrients to other parts of the body. Dragon fruit is a fruit that individuals worldwide have eaten, and its taste is incredible.

Moreover, dragon fruit has different bodily benefits, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic and antioxidant.¹ It is unbelievable, right? The fruit has other names; the most used is pithaya, which belongs to the Cactaceae family.² The fruit comes in different colours, shapes, and characteristics. The most common type of dragon fruit is the Hylocereus undatus, which has a pink outer colour and greenish spikes attached to it, and inside, the fruit is white with black seeds. The other type of dragon fruit has a pink outer layer and dark pink inside; another type is yellowish outside and white inside. The dragon fruit can be used in salads and smoothies and even consumed as it is. The most important fact is it has a lot of benefits.

Introduction to hair loss and its causes

Hair loss is an enormous problem that affects individuals and causes their distress. Hair loss is when hair starts to fall out, which can lead to baldness. This can affect both men and women. Hair loss can also affect you, and you must have been thinking, “Why is this happening to you, and how can you find a solution for this?”. Different factors can cause hair loss, and it cannot be understood why it happens. The most common causes of hair loss are illnesses, weight loss, stress and iron deficiency.³

Nutritional composition of dragon fruit

Dragon fruit's nutritional profile and the role in hair growth

Dragon fruit has a low-calorie content and many other nutrients the body needs. The fruit contains antioxidants, fibres, vitamin C and minerals.²

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are essential chemicals that can be found inside the body. They are called endogenous antioxidants, and their role is to neutralise free radicals.⁴ Dietary or exogenous antioxidants are the other, mainly found in fruits and vegetables.⁴ Free radicals and oxidative have to be removed from the body as these can be dangerous to the body, which could lead to the beginning of diseases and even cause hair fall, hence, why antioxidants are needed. This is why eating fruit is essential.

Vitamins (Vitamin C)

Vitamin C is essential for survival. Vitamin C is an important vitamin, a powerful antioxidant that acts against free radical damage and oxidation of low-density lipoprotein.⁵ Furthermore, Vitamin C is essential for iron absorption. Thus, it is vital for hair loss associated with iron deficiency. 

Minerals (Iron, Magnesium, Calcium)

Minerals like iron, magnesium and calcium are essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid deficiencies and diseases. Iron deficiency can cause hair loss. Iron is a crucial mineral needed to survive and maintain a healthy life. Iron is required for the body because it allows oxygen to travel around the body as blood. The oxygen in the red blood cells is called haemoglobin.⁶ The iron is present and stored in the body as ferritin, which will be released around the body if needed.⁶

Furthermore, iron is needed for DNA synthesis, where the cells divide.⁷ Hence, low iron levels will weaken the proliferation of the cells found in the follicular matrix.⁷ Iron deficiency does occur when low iron intake occurs. 

Understanding hair loss

Types of hair loss 

Androgenetic alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia is a type of hair loss that can affect men and women. The hair is lost in a different pattern. The cause of this type of hair loss is genetic and hormonal. The hormone androgen plays an essential role in this case.⁸ Hair growth can be reduced because an elevated level of androgen (dihydrotestosterone) can increase hair growth.⁸

Telogen effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a temporary hair loss caused by excessive shedding.⁹ This type of hair loss happens in both men and women; surprisingly, it can grow again.⁹ The type of hair that falls out is the telogen hair, which is the resting hair follicles and this happens when the growing hair (anagen hair) starts to grow.⁹ The factors that cause this include:

• Childbirth
• Endocrine diseases (hypo/ or hyperthyroidism)
• Accident 
• Stress
• Weight loss
• Acute and chronic illness

Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is caused by an issue in the immune system and this does not cause damage to the hair follicles.¹⁰ The hair will re-grown at some point and there are treatments available, which include:

• Immunotherapy
• Corticosteroids
• Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors
• Topical solutions

Factors contributing to hair Loss

• Genetic predisposition
• Hormonal imbalances
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Oxidative stress

Practical applications

Incorporating dragon fruit into the diet

• Smoothie recipes
• Fruit salads
• Dragon fruit bowls

Considerations for long-term hair health

• Balanced diet
• Lifestyle factors (stress management, adequate sleep)
• Consultation with healthcare professionals for severe hair loss cases

Summary

Dragon fruit is an incredible fruit, which is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and minerals. These nutrients are indeed needed for healthy hair growth. Dragon fruit can be eaten by everyone, because of its benefits and it is also very delicious to eat. Hair loss is an issue, which cannot be understood and it is very depressing for individuals. Dragon fruit can be used in salads and smoothies to make it easier and tastier to consume.