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Salem Health: Nutrition

Dragon Fruit

by Cherie Marcel, BS

What We Know

  • Dragon fruit (also called pitaya, pitahaya, nanettikafruit, and strawberry pear) refers to the fruit from a variety of cactus plants. The mildly sweet, seed-filled flesh of dragon fruit is similar in texture to the flesh of a kiwi, and is protected by a think, leathery skin that is similar to that of a pineapple. Dragon fruit can be eaten raw, dried, or mixed into sorbets and smoothies. Nutritionally, dragon fruit is a good source of fiber, several B vitamins, vitamins A and C, calcium, and phosphorus. There are 3 main types of dragon fruit:

    • Hylocereus undatus, or white pitaya, has pink, leathery skin and white flesh filled with tiny black seeds

    • Hylocereus polyrhizus, or red pitaya, has pink, leathery skin and red flesh filled with tiny black seeds

    • Selenicereus megalanthus, or yellow pitaya, has yellow, leathery skin and white flesh filled with tiny black seeds

Nutrients in Dragon Fruit

  • Dragon fruit is a good source of fiber and provides several important vitamins and minerals, including the following:

    • The B vitamins thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin work together to create energy by aiding the metabolism (i.e., breakdown) of carbohydrates. They provide cardiovascular protection, maintain the nervous system, and support the production of red blood cells, hormones, and necessary cholesterol.

    • Vitamin A, or retinol, is a fat-soluble vitamin that is required for vision, maintenance of the surface linings of the eyes and other epithelial tissue, proper bone growth, immune response, energy regulation, reproduction, embryonic development, and activation of gene expression.

    • Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that neutralizes free radicals, protecting against inflammation and cellular damage. Adequate vitamin C intake is necessary for the proper function of the immune system and has been associated with the prevention of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

    • Calcium builds and maintains bones and teeth, regulates muscle contraction, conducts nerve impulses, activates enzymes for energy production and muscle contraction, participates in blood clotting, assists with vitamin B12 absorption, and maintains the structural integrity of intracellular membranes.

    • Phosphorous combines with calcium for the formation of bones and teeth, muscle contraction, and nerve conduction, and is essential for the structural integrity of cell membranes.

Dietary Intake Guidelines

  • There is no official recommendation specific to dragon fruit intake.

  • A recent review of available literature found no information on dragon fruit toxicity.

  • A recent review of the literature found no information regarding the interaction of dragon fruit with medications or other substances.

Research Findings

  • Researchers report that an aqueous extract of the fruit pulp of the dragon fruit was effective for controlling oxidative damage and reducing the aortic stiffness in diabetic rats.

Summary

Consumers should become knowledgeable about the physiologic benefits of dragon fruit consumption. Dragon fruit is a good source of dietary fiber, several B vitamins, vitamins A and C, calcium, and phosphorus. These nutrients may help improve vision, metabolic processes, immune system function and the potential to decrease the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

References

1 

Anand, S. K. R., Sattar, M. A., Abdullah, N. A., Abdulla, M. H., Salman, I. M., Rathore, H. A., & Johns, E. J. (2010). Effect of dragon fruit extract on oxidative stress and aortic stiffness in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Pharmacognosy Research, 2(1), 31-35.

2 

Biala, D. (2011). Dragon fruit health benefits. Livestrong.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/372456-dragon-fruit-health-benefits/

3 

Coila, B. (2013). Dragon fruit nutrition. Livestrong.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/81272-dragon-fruit-nutrition/

4 

Shadix, K. (2010). Dragon fruit. Today’s Dietitian, 12(6), 2p.

Reviewer(s)

Darlene Strayer, RN, MBA, Cinahl Information Systems, Glendale, CA

Nursing Executive Practice Council, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Glendale, CA

Citation Types

Type
Format
MLA 9th
Marcel, Cherie. "Dragon Fruit." Salem Health: Nutrition, edited by Sharon Richman, Salem Press, 2016. Salem Online, online.salempress.com/articleDetails.do?articleName=Nutr_0017.
APA 7th
Marcel, C. (2016). Dragon Fruit. In S. Richman (Ed.), Salem Health: Nutrition. Salem Press. online.salempress.com.
CMOS 17th
Marcel, Cherie. "Dragon Fruit." Edited by Sharon Richman. Salem Health: Nutrition. Hackensack: Salem Press, 2016. Accessed December 14, 2025. online.salempress.com.