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
More about Metabolic Syndrome

Other ingredients used for Metabolic Syndrome

7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
7-Keto-DHEA
acai berry
akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
anchovies
anthocyanins
asparagus
bacillus subtilis
banaba
barley
berberine
Beta-Glucan
beta-sitosterol
bifidobacterium longum
bitter melon
black garlic
blueberry
brussel sprouts
butyrate triglyceride
campesterol
camu camu
canola oil
caterpillar mushroom
chia seed
chokeberry
chromium
cinnamon
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
turmeric
curcumin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fisetin
flaxseed
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
ginger
glucomannan
guar gum
hydroxycitric acid
inulin
krill oil
l-carnitine
lactobacillus helveticus
licorice root
mackerel
maitake mushroom
maqui berry
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
moringa
naringin
nicotinamide riboside
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
oyster mushroom
palmitoleic acid
quinoa
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rye
sardines
spirulina
tocotrienols
trans-pterostilbene
Urolithin A
vanadium
vanadyl sulfate
vitamin C
vitamin D
wheat grass
whey protein
xylooligosaccharides
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
algae
kidney beans
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
1-deoxynojirimycin
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
12-methylcarnosic acid
3-desoxy-7-KETO-DHEA
4-hydroxyisoleucine
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
6-Paradol
Alpha Glucans
Ankaflavin
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Antrodia camphorata
Auricularia
Antirrhinin
Avocado
Ascophyllum nodosum
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
Alpha phytosterol
Algal protein
Arabinoxylan
alpha Methyl Tetradecylthioacetic Acid
Arjunolic acid
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Blakeslea trispora
Bean
Betanin
Brazil nut
Charantin
California chia
Cardarine
Cyanobacteria
Capsinoids
Cyanidin
chlorogenic acid
Capsiate
Chitin-Glucan Complex
Calanus finmarchicus
Crocetin
Cynaropicrin
Cystoseira canariensis
corosolic acid
Crypthecodinium
Carnosic acid
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Dunaliella
Dihydrocapsiate
Dragon Fruit
Dihydrolipoic Acid
D-Pinitol
Diosgenin
Ergothioneine
Ecklonia
peanut
Pistachio

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

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.