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Cucumber dragon fruit smoothie

Nutritional Value

1. Reducing Inflammation

  • Walnuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce the common inflammatory response in cancer patients [1].

2. Antioxidant Properties

  • Walnuts contain antioxidant nutrients like vitamin E, vitamin B6, and magnesium, which can help neutralize free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage [2].
  • The polyphenols in walnuts can induce the release of cytochrome C from the mitochondria of cancer cells, leading to their apoptosis (programmed cell death). The polyphenol compound ellagic acid also helps promote the apoptosis of pancreatic cells, reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer [2].
  • Cucumbers contain a polyphenol antioxidant known as lignans, which can assist in managing estrogen-related cancers.
  • Red dragon fruit contains betacyanins with excellent antioxidant effects, helping to eliminate free radicals and combat cancer.

3. Immune System Support

  • Dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C, which can strengthen the immune system, boost resistance, and help cancer patients better cope with treatment.
  • Almonds are high in protein and vitamin E. Vitamin E can increase the activity of immune cells, stimulate antibody production, and enhance the function of phagocytes (cells that engulf and digest pathogens and cancer cells). Almonds are suitable for patients with weakened immune function and can help maintain a healthy immune system [2].

4. Detoxification

  • Dragon fruit is high in dietary fiber, which can aid intestinal motility and improve bowel function, helping to alleviate the common issue of constipation experienced by cancer patients during treatment [3].

 

References 

  1. Freitas, R. D. S., & Campos, M. M. (2019). Protective Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Cancer-Related Complications. Nutrients, 11(5), 945-. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11050945
  2. Soriano-Hernandez, A. D., Madrigal-Perez, D. G., Galvan-Salazar, H. R., Arreola-Cruz, A., Briseño-Gomez, L., Guzmán-Esquivel, J., Dobrovinskaya, O., Lara-Esqueda, A., Rodríguez-Sanchez, I. P., Baltazar-Rodriguez, L. M., Espinoza-Gomez, F., Martinez-Fierro, M. L., de-Leon-Zaragoza, L., Olmedo-Buenrostro, B. A., & Delgado-Enciso, I. (2015). The protective effect of peanut, walnut, and almond consumption on the development of breast cancer. Gynecologic and obstetric investigation, 80(2), 89–92. https://doi.org/10.1159/000369997
  3. Masrul, M., & Nindrea, R. D. (2019). Dietary Fibre Protective against Colorectal Cancer Patients in Asia: A Meta-Analysis. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 7(10), 1723–1727. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2019.265

Ingredients

  • One red dragon fruit
  • One cucumber
  • 1/4 lemon
  • Black sesame seeds
  • Almonds
  • Pistachios (as desired)
  • Water ~ 300ml

Directions

Preparation time: 10 minutes

  1. Crush almonds and pistachios. 
  2. Toast black sesame seeds and the crushed almonds and pistachios in a dry pan. 
  3. Set aside a small amount of crushed almonds, sesame seeds, and pistachios. 
  4. Then, blend all the ingredients together in a blender. 
  5. Finally, add the reserved crushed almonds, sesame seeds, pistachios, and lemon juice.

 

Recipe prepared by Miss Ng Suk Kwan (Outstanding recipe  of Healthy Recipe Competition 2024)

Nutritional value: Yeung King Tung Kary (Research assistant , Department of Clinical Oncology, HKU)

Nutritional value reviewed by Dr. Daphne Wu (Food & Nutritional Science, HKU)