TikTok claims this fruit cures constipation and stomach problems — so is it really a superfood?
- Over 110 million people have viewed a TikTok trend about yellow dragon fruit
- TikTokers claim the tropical cactus completely cleared their digestive tracts
- Experts say there may not be anything special about these specific fruits
A TikTok trend making waves on the social media site says that eating yellow dragon fruit could cure constipation.
Users claim the spiky hard-shelled fruit – which is actually part of the cactus family – acts as a natural laxative.
Videos with the hashtag #yellowdragonfruit have racked up more than 100 million views since February. Users have shown themselves cutting into the fruit and eating both the internal white part and the seeds.
Experts have told DailyMail.com, however, that there might not really be anything special about this, and eating too much of any fiber-packed fruit is likely going to send you to the bathroom anyway.
TikToker Halley Kate called yellow dragon fruit one of the most delicious snacks she had ever had in her whole life. Two days later, she claimed it acted as a natural laxative
TikTok users have claimed yellow dragon fruit gave them near-instant bouts of explosive diarrhea
Many fruits, including yellow dragon fruit, promote regular bowel movements due to high fiber content.
Fiber helps to increase the weight and size of the stool and soften it, which makes it easier to pass.
This is crucial for speeding along the digestion process.
However, too much fiber could lead to bloating, gas, and constipation. In more extreme cases, it can cause a bowel obstruction.
The trend started in February, a user named Halley Kate posted a video about how delicious yellow dragon fruit was. ‘It was one of the most delicious fruits I have ever had in my entire life,’ Kate said.
Two days later, she posted another video saying the yellow dragon fruit had completely cleaned out her digestive system.
‘I’m telling you there was nothing left in my body,’ Kate said. ‘The seeds have so much dietary fiber they’re like a natural laxative.’
A stitch of the original video gained 3.2 million likes with the user eating one yellow dragon fruit and then cutting to herself in the bathroom shortly after.
Since then, the hashtag #yellowdragonfruit has gained more than 110 million views.
Yellow dragon fruit actually isn’t even a fruit.
It’s a tropical cactus that many TikTok users participating in the trend have said tastes like a cross between a kiwi and a pear with a ‘honeylike taste.’
‘It tastes like a pear and a pineapple if they had a baby,’ Kate said.
The skin is inedible, so the inner white part and the seeds are where the nutrients can be found.
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While similar to other colors of dragon fruit, some users have claimed the yellow variety is slightly sweeter.
It’s rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, as well as protein, calcium, vitamin A, iron and magnesium. It’s also low in calories at just 60 calories per 3.5 ounces.
Most importantly, it’s rich in soluble fiber. It contains nearly 5 grams of fiber in each six-ounce serving.
One whole dragon fruit weighs anywhere from 10 to 17 ounces.
Since the Dietary Guidelines for Americans estimate that more than 90 percent of Americans don’t eat enough fiber, suddenly eating a fiber-rich food could be speeding up digestion.
The Mayo Clinic recommends getting 25 grams of fiber per day if you’re a woman under 50 and 38 if you’re a man under 50. For those over 50, aim for 21-30 grams per day.
Soluble fiber is a type of fiber that absorbs water and turns into a gel in the digestive tract. This makes stool easier to pass, which could be beneficial for someone with constipation.
‘Soluble fiber is the fiber associated with alleviating/preventing constipation,’ Carolyn Williams, PhD, RD, author of Meals that Heal and co-host of the Happy Eating Podcast, told DailyMail.com. ‘Adequate water and hydration is key for soluble fiber to be able to do its job.’
Williams also said that the simple sugars, namely fructose, in fruits such as yellow dragon fruit also have a slight laxative effect.
A recent review found that both soluble and insoluble fiber, which does not absorb water, can support gut health and weight loss.
Most fruits contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber pushes waste through the digestive tract and makes digestion faster, promoting regularity.
Adding too much fiber at once could wreak havoc on your digestive system though, particularly in people with irritable bowel syndrome.
‘Because of this laxative effect, you don’t want to eat excessive amounts at one sitting or you may have diarrhea,’ Williams said.
It’s best to start slow and pair fiber from any source with fluids to more gradually aid digestion.
And for those who already get enough fiber, adding any extra likely won’t make a difference in your bathroom habits.
Yellow dragon fruit isn’t the only way to up your fiber intake. A cup of raspberries, for example, contains 8 grams of fiber, and one artichoke has 6.9 grams.
‘Although it’s a good source of fiber, it is not a magic bullet as most individuals need at least 25 grams of fiber a day,
to help with regular bowel movements,’ Veronica Rouse, owner of The Heart Dietitian, told DailyMail.com. ‘I’d also recommend consuming a variety of other fiber-rich foods like vegetables, legumes, and whole grains to ensure you are meeting your daily nutrient requirements.’
There are also cheaper high-fiber options out there. Depending on location, one yellow dragon fruit costs around $7. A pack of raspberries, on the other hand, could be half the price.
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