Does eating red-fleshed dragon fruit cause urine to turn red?
Disease description:
Today when I went to the bathroom, I noticed that my urine was red, which startled me. However, I remembered having eaten red-fleshed dragon fruit before, so I would like to find out whether consuming red-fleshed dragon fruit can cause red-colored urine.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Cao Zhiqiang
It is a common phenomenon for urine to turn red after consuming red-fleshed dragon fruit. This occurs because red-fleshed dragon fruit contains a natural pigment called betacyanin, which is water-soluble and not easily completely absorbed or metabolized by the human body. After consuming red-fleshed dragon fruit, some betacyanin enters the bloodstream through the digestive system and is eventually excreted into the urine via the kidneys, causing the urine to appear red.
This phenomenon usually appears within a few hours after consumption and is temporary. Once consumption stops, the urine color will gradually return to normal within 1–2 days as the body metabolizes and excretes the betacyanin. If red or dark red urine appears after eating red-fleshed dragon fruit, there is generally no need for excessive concern. However, if the urine remains red or is accompanied by symptoms such as pain or fever, the discoloration may not be due to food and medical attention is advised.
In addition, individuals with certain medical conditions, such as kidney insufficiency, should avoid consuming large amounts of foods high in concentrated betacyanin, to prevent additional strain on the kidneys.
