The latest health trend taking the internet by storm has people running to the bathroom. And it’s all thanks to the fruit.
Yellow dragon fruit has been around for years, but there’s a lot of buzz online about the properties of its poop — aka a natural laxative.
The hashtag #yellowdragonfruit has over 110 million views on TikTok, with users claiming it has amazing effects on the plumbing in the body.
One user shared his experience of trying yellow dragon fruit on TikTok, getting over 300,000 views and the caption, “Yellow dragon fruit should have warnings.”
“The minute you eat these, there is no turning back,” she says. “I think she must have been to the bathroom at least seven times within two hours. And when I said I sprinted to the bathroom and barely made it to the bathroom the second time… yeah, it was It was intense.
But despite this uncomfortable explanation, she raves about the results, claiming that yellow dragon fruit “empties out anything trapped in the small or large intestine.”
What do the experts say? TODAY.com spoke with two registered dietitians to find out if there’s any truth to this latest TikTok health claim.
What is yellow dragon fruit?
The yellow dragon fruit, or Selenicereus megalanthus, is a tropical fruit of the cactus family, native to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. royal botanical garden.
The outside is bright yellow with smooth spines. Inside, it has translucent white flesh and small edible black seeds. Some TikTok users report that it tastes like something between a kiwi and a pear, while others report that it tastes like a mix between a pear and a pineapple.
Similar to other dragon fruit varieties such as red and white, but a little sweeter.Eat with Color: Tasty and Healthy Recipes for You and Your Family‘ tells TODAY.com.
yellow dragon fruit It’s rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, which help “fight free radical damage.” mayo clinicFree radicals are “molecules produced when your body breaks down food or is exposed to cigarette smoke or radiation from the sun, X-rays, or other sources. Free radicals are associated with heart disease.” , may play a role in cancer and other diseases.”
This fruit also contains protein, vitamin A, calcium, iron and magnesium. Web MD.
Is yellow dragon fruit a laxative?Gut Benefits
Yellow dragon fruit is rich in fiber and is a natural laxative.
Bonnie Taub-Dix, Registered Dietitian Dietitian, BetterThanDieting.com and the author ofread it before you eat it‘, he told TODAY.com.
Soluble fiber dissolves in water and other body fluids. Once passed through the body, it forms a gel-like consistency that nourishes the good bacteria in your gut. Healthier bacteria in your gut means less inflammation and better digestion. Soluble fiber is also associated with a reduced ability to store fat, lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and a reduced risk of heart disease. According to the Cleveland Clinic.
Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, does not dissolve in the body. Instead, “it absorbs (liquid) and attaches to other substances to form stool. This process leads to softer, bulkier, and more regular stool,” says the Cleveland Clinic.
Both types of fiber help keep the bowel regular and promote colorectal health.
Does Yellow Dragon Fruit Cause Diarrhea?
Taub-Dix says eating yellow dragon fruit won’t do much for your bowels and digestion if you’re already high in fiber. However, people on a low-fiber diet may feel the effects of yellow dragon fruit more quickly. For example, diarrhea.
“It depends a lot on where your starting point is,” adds Taub-Dix.
If you’re increasing your fiber intake by eating yellow dragon fruit or other foods, it’s important to combine fiber with water. If you don’t have enough water to get fibrous foods out of your body, get up. ”
Largeman-Roth reflects this sentiment. “A person who doesn’t normally get 8 grams of fiber in one meal may have more or more bowel movements than normal after eating yellow dragon fruit,” she says. .
Around mayo clinicit is recommended that women and men under the age of 50 consume 25 and 38 grams of fiber per day, respectively. Recommended to take.
One cup of yellow dragon fruit contains 4 grams of fiber, says Largeman Roth.
Can yellow dragon fruit cleanse your stomach?
Yellow dragon fruit is neither a cleanse nor a detox. It’s just a fruit, and its effect on the gut is a sign that it “does its job as a fiber-filled fruit,” Largeman-Roth points out.
That said, fruit can help keep things moving in your digestive tract, especially if you’re drinking liquids, says Taub-Dix. can push them out with liquids,” she explains.
For better results, try combining yellow dragon fruit with other high-fiber foods such as chia seeds, says Largeman Roth.
“It certainly helps wipe you out,” she adds.
Does yellow dragon fruit have side effects?
Yellow dragon fruit shouldn’t cause bloating, cramps, or diarrhea, says Largeman-Roth. However, Taub-Dix still recommends consuming in moderation, especially if you don’t get enough fiber most days.
If you’ve never tasted yellow dragon fruit, Taub-Dix says, “Why not?” She suggests making a Fruit Her Salad with some yellow dragon fruit first..
But you don’t have to eat expensive tropical fruits to get fiber, says Largeman-Roth.
“You can get just as much fiber from apples, pears, oranges, and berries,” she says. “Eating a variety of fruits (fresh and frozen) is wise for your overall health. You don’t have to follow the current TikTok trend.”
To avoid consuming any bacteria that may be on the skin of the dragon fruit, Largeman-Roth says you should always rinse fresh fruit under running water before slicing.
“You can’t eat the skin of the dragon fruit, just the inside,” she explains.
