Red Stool After Eating Dragon Fruit: What You Need to Know

Dragon fruit is available in two main varieties — white-fleshed and red-fleshed. Red-fleshed dragon fruit contains a pigment called betalain, which gives it its vibrant color and also provides various health benefits. This fruit is rich in water-soluble vitamins and other essential nutrients, offering more nutritional value compared to the white-fleshed variety.

Because of its high water-soluble content, some of these nutrients may pass through the digestive system without being fully absorbed. As a result, you might notice a change in stool color to red or pink after consuming red dragon fruit. This discoloration is completely normal and not a cause for concern.

It's important to distinguish this harmless effect from potential signs of gastrointestinal bleeding. If there's significant internal bleeding, the stool usually turns black and tarry rather than simply appearing red. In such cases, a medical test might show a positive result for occult blood. However, dragon fruit-induced red stool will not produce a positive occult blood test result nor contain red blood cells.

If you're unsure whether the red color in your stool comes from food pigments or could indicate a more serious issue, it's best to consult with a healthcare professional for accurate diagnosis and reassurance.