Passion fruit is an exotic purple fruit with a multitude of health benefits. For one thing, the edible flesh and seeds — do not eat the rind — contain powerful antioxidants and other nutrients to boost the immune system and cardiovascular health.

According to Medical News Today, passion fruit is also a great source of fiber that keeps the gut healthy and prevents constipation and bowel disorders with only 17 calories per fruit.

The American Medical Association adds that fiber helps lower overall cholesterol levels, and therefore improves heart health.

Here are some more health benefits of passion fruit:

Passion fruit has a low glycemic index, which makes it an excellent choice for people with diabetes. In addition, research has indicated that eating passion fruit seeds improves insulin sensitivity and can reduce the risk of many diseases, including diabetes.

Passion fruit is rich in vitamin C that helps the body absorb more iron from foods. This helps fight off infections, according to Medical News Today.

Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that wards off the common cold and other seasonal illnesses.

Dr. Donald Marks, an internist and infectious disease expert with degrees in both immunology and microbiology, says that taking vitamin C is an excellent way to fight viral diseases.

“In my opinion, vitamin C is one of the best options,” he tells Newsmax. “It is an antiviral and is readily available not only in fruits and vegetables but in a variety of over-the-counter supplements, as well as in throat lozenges and gummies.

In addition to vitamin C, passion fruit is rich in magnesium that can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Dr. Daryl Gioffre, a board-certified nutritionist and author of “Get Off Your Acid,” tells Newsmax that magnesium is the most important mineral for our bodies in terms of day-to-day function — and yet half of the population is deficient.

Magnesium deficiency is most often caused by lifestyle factors, including a diet that is high in processed foods, alcohol abuse, and Type 2 diabetes.

To eat a passion fruit raw, slice it in half and scoop out the seeds and pulp. You can mix the pulp with water to make a delicious beverage, or mix it with another fruit juice. You can also add the juice to yogurt for a boost of flavor.