Does yellow dragon fruit cause diarrhea?
Yellow dragon fruit has become a hot-button topic on TikTok. I offer some scientific insight to explain its reported laxative effects.
Yesterday in class, a student asked me, “Is yellow dragon fruit a laxative?” The question itself wasn’t that unusual. We’d just wrapped up our lesson on the GI tract last week, and I even wrote about stimulant and bulk-forming laxatives in a recent issue of this newsletter. The stimulant laxative activity (within 8-12 hours) of plants like senna, cascara sagrada, and aloe are well known in the scientific literature… but dragon fruit? No! I’ve never come across a report on this activity. Indeed, we eat plenty of dragon fruit at home as a special treat without experiencing any laxative effects.
“Why do you ask?” I queried. She explained it was a hot topic on TikTok and sent me this video, which has been viewed an incredible 21.9 million times with 22k comments and counting!
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In response to the TikTok trend, authors in this article for Eating Well have noted that the high fiber content of the fruit (5 grams of fiber in 6 ounces of fruit) would help relieve symptoms of constipation. However, I’m not convinced by this answer. It doesn’t address the rumor of the rapid-acting effects! The video reports action in an hour! Bulk-forming laxatives such as psyllium husk (a top-performing soluble fiber found in products like Metamucil)—take 2-3 days to work.
So, what’s going on? I have a good theory, and it has more to do with allergies than ‘natural gut cleanses.’
What is yellow dragon fruit?
Yellow dragon fruit (pitaya or pitahaya) is the fruit of a cactus (scientific name: Selenicereus megalanthus, Cactaceae). It originates in South America, and bats pollinate the flowers. Its fruit is delightfully sweet and enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. Another related dragon fruit species commonly found in stores (scientific name: Selenicereus undatus) features a similar white flesh with seeds but a hot pink outer skin.
Want to learn more about different types of dragon fruit (pitaya)? Check out this 2014 video with the ‘Weird Fruit Explorer” who compares the flavor and texture of different types of dragon fruit:
What does the science say?
Even the most potent stimulant laxative plants can take 8-12 hours to work in producing a bowel movement. Read more about how these laxatives work in my earlier post, Herbal laxatives: All you need to know.
Foods that produce a rapid bowel movement in a couple of hours or less can be due to a food allergy or food intolerance.
According to the GI Society (the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research), the difference between a food allergy and food intolerance is based on whether the immune system is involved in the reaction.
A food allergy (hypersensitivity) involves an inappropriate immune reaction to a non-pathogenic (non-disease-causing) substance. Some of the intense reactions can include GI upset with nausea and diarrhea and more severe reactions (e.g., anaphylactic shock). Only a tiny quantity of material is necessary to illicit symptoms, and a reaction can occur either immediately or 1-2 hours post-exposure. In adults, allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish are the most common.
A food intolerance does not involve the immune system but rather an adverse reaction to a food that occurs in the GI tract, caused by a limited ability to digest or absorb specific food components. A standard size portion of the food is usually necessary, and symptoms can begin as soon as 30 minutes or as late as 48 hours after exposure. Symptoms include nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Common examples of this condition include lactose intolerance and non-celiac gluten intolerance.
Is dragon fruit allergenic?
Possibly, for some. In 2022, a scientific study was published in the journal Nutrients addressing this very question! Researchers investigated allergens in the white- and red-fleshed (S. undatus and S. costaricensis) dragon fruit seeds. They pointed out that preliminary studies have already noted that these fruits can induce immune reactions in sensitive individuals. To investigate the immunoreactive proteins to IgE (immunoglobulin E—an antibody found in the blood of mammals, which is also involved in Type I hypersensitivity reactions), the research team studied blood serum from donors, identifying some potential allergens in the seeds. However, more research is necessary to determine the identity of specific allergens in the fruit. Also, the yellow dragon fruit (S. megalanthus) was not included in this study.
What are the takeaways?
A rapid response of GI distress (diarrhea and cramps) following the consumption of dragon fruit is most likely due to either a food allergy or food intolerance.
While dragon fruit species are certainly rich in fiber, it is improbable that the fiber itself is responsible for a rapid effect or a ‘gut cleanse.’
If you experience symptoms of nausea, cramping, bloating, or diarrhea after eating a food, you should consider avoiding that food in the future. The inflammation and discomfort you experience when eating food your body is reactive to is not good for your mental or physical health.
Have you encountered puzzling information about the “medicinal” activities of edible plants online? Want answers? Drop your questions and topic ideas in comments and I’ll do my best to address them with evidence-based information.
Yours in health, Dr. Quave
Cassandra L. Quave, Ph.D. is a disabled writer, speaker, podcast host, wife, mother, explorer, ethnobotanist, and professor at Emory University School of Medicine. She teaches college courses and leads a group of research scientists studying medicinal plants to find new life-saving drugs from nature. She hosts the Foodie Pharmacology podcast and writes the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter to share the science behind natural medicines. To support her effort, consider a paid or founding subscription, with founding members receiving an autographed 1st edition hardcover copy of her book, The Plant Hunter.