Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.), also known as pitaya, has gained attention for its potential benefits in supporting metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The scientific evidence is modest but present. Several animal studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of dragon fruit on parameters such as blood glucose, insulin resistance, and lipid profiles. For example, a 2016 study in rats published in PLOS ONE found that dragon fruit supplementation improved fasting blood glucose and insulin sensitivity. A few small clinical studies in humans have also been conducted. A 2017 randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Medicinal Food reported that consuming red dragon fruit led to modest reductions in fasting plasma glucose among prediabetic subjects. Another pilot study suggested mild improvements in LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

The proposed mechanisms include the fruit’s high content of dietary fiber, antioxidants (such as betalains, vitamin C, and polyphenols), and prebiotic oligosaccharides, all of which may contribute to improved glycemic control and lipid metabolism. However, limitations exist: most human trials are small and short-term, with inconsistent results. There is not yet robust or large-scale evidence to firmly establish dragon fruit as an effective intervention for metabolic syndrome. Therefore, while scientific investigation is underway and some data are promising, the current evidence is rated at 2/5—suggesting early but insufficient validation. Further large, well-designed human trials are needed.

More about dragon fruit
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Other ingredients used for Metabolic Syndrome

1-deoxynojirimycin
12-methylcarnosic acid
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-desoxy-7-KETO-DHEA
4-hydroxyisoleucine
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
6-Paradol
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
7-Keto-DHEA
Acacetin
Acai berry
Akkermansia muciniphila
Algae
algal oil
Algal protein
Alpha Glucans
Alpha methyl tetradecylthioacetic acid
Alpha phytosterol
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
anchovies
ankaflavin
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
antirrhinin
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
arabinoxylan
Arjunolic acid
Aronia melanocarpa
Ascophyllum nodosum
asparagus
astragaloside
Auricularia
avocado
bacillus subtilis
banaba
barley
bean
berberine
beta-glucan
beta-hydroxybutyrate
beta-sitosterol
betanin
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium longum
black garlic
Blakeslea trispora
blueberry
Brazil nut
Brussel sprouts
butyrate triglyceride
Calanus finmarchicus
California chia
campesterol
camu camu
capsiate
capsinoids
cardarine
carnosic acid
caterpillar mushroom
charantin
chia seed
Chitin-Glucan Complex
chlorogenic acid
chokeberry
chromium
cinnamon
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
corosolic acid
crocetin
Crypthecodinium
curcumin
cyanidin
cyanobacteria
cynaropicrin
Cystoseira canariensis
D-Pinitol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
dihydrocapsiate
dihydrolipoic acid
diosgenin
docosahexaenoic Acid
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
dragon fruit
Dunaliella
Ecklonia
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
evodiamine
fisetin
flavanols
flaxseed
Foxtail millet
fructan
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fucosterol
fucoxanthin
galactooligosaccharides
garbanzo bean
ginger
Ginsenosides
Glucan peptides
glucomannan
Glucoraphanin
Glucosinolates
guanidinopropionic acid (GPA )
guar gum
Guggulsterones
hydroxycitric acid
hydroxytyrosol
inulin
Irvingia gabonensis
Isoalantolactone
isomaltulose
Kamut
kidney beans
Konjac
krill oil
l-carnitine
Lactobacillus helveticus
Legume protein
Lentil
licorice root
lipstatin
lupin
maitake mushroom
mangiferin
maqui berry
Maslinic acid
Matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Momordicosides
Monacolin
Monounsaturated fat
Moringa
Mulberroside A
Naringenin
Naringin
Neoeriocitrin
nicotinamide riboside
Nobiletin
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
Oleoylethanolamide
Oligosaccharides
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
oolong tea
oyster mushroom
Palatinose
palmitoleic acid
peanut
Phaeophyceae
phlorizin
Phycocyanin
Phytoplankton
Pinitol
Pistachio
Pleurotus eryngii
polychitosamine
Polydatin
polysaccharides
polyunsaturated fat
pu-er tea
punicalagins
punicalin
punicic acid
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quinoa
Rebaudioside
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rye
Salacia
Salidroside
Salmon Oil
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
Sesamin
Sesamolin
Sinensetin
spirulina
Sulforaphane
Syringic acid
Tagatose
Tangeretin
Tanshinone
Tetradecylthioacetic acid
Theabrownin
Theaflavin
Thylakoid
tocotrienols
Trans-pterostilbene
turmeric
Tyrosol
Urolithin A
Vanadium
Vanadyl sulfate
vitamin C
vitamin D
wheat grass
Whey protein
Xanthohumol
xylooligosaccharides
Yacon
Zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)

Other health conditions supported by dragon fruit

Anemia
Cholesterol (high)
Diabetes
Fatigue
Free Radical Damage
Hypertension
Inflammation
Metabolic Syndrome
Triglycerides (high)

Products containing dragon fruit

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