Red pitaya stool

The flesh of pitaya is very famous. Not only does it come in two varieties, white and red, but it also looks great in color and appearance. Some pitaya flesh is even red, or even purple, which is particularly beautiful. Although the flesh of red-heart pitaya is very beautiful, you will find that your stool will be red after eating it. This does not affect your health. It is just the betaine in pitaya that is causing the problem.

Why does eating red dragon fruit cause red urine and stool?

The red-fleshed pitaya has an additional ingredient called "betacyanin" compared to the white-fleshed pitaya. It generally has a beautiful purple-red color and is not sensitive to acids and alkalis. Since "beetroot red" cannot be completely digested and absorbed by the human body and is not completely metabolized, some of it will dissolve in water and cause urine discoloration. The remaining insoluble pigment will cause stool discoloration. This is not hematuria or bloody stool, so don't worry.

Betalain: Betalain was named after the beetroot in which it was first discovered. It can be dissolved in water and is not resistant to high temperatures. Betacyanin is purple-red in acidic and neutral environments, and turns into betacyanin and appears yellow in alkaline environments.

Eating dragon fruit and having red urine and feces does not affect health

Many foods have the ability to change the color of urine and feces, such as red amaranth and purple sweet potato. This is mainly due to the natural pigments contained in the food. It has no effect on health. The color of the urine and feces will return to normal after the pigments are excreted in two days. Like anthocyanin, it is also a pigment, but it is good for the human body. It can help us prevent cancer and anti-aging, and enhance our immunity. It is a natural pigment that is beneficial to the human body.

Generally speaking, if the food we eat is not completely digested and absorbed, and if its color is not changed by digestive juices or other body fluids, then waste of that color will be excreted. It's the same principle as if you eat too much watermelon at once, your poop will be red.

Stop eating dragon fruit and observe the color of urine and feces

If you are still worried, you can stop eating dragon fruit after digestion is complete, and then check after a while to see if your stool is still red. If your stool is no longer red after you stop eating dragon fruit, it means that it is caused by the red flesh dragon fruit. As long as it is caused by pitaya, it should be fine and there is no need to worry.

Tips

Why do many people think that red-fleshed pitaya contains anthocyanins? This is probably because anthocyanins are so widely distributed. Most of the colorful colors of fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc. are actually related to anthocyanins.

Common foods containing anthocyanins include: mulberries, grapes, apples, plums, purple cabbage, amaranth, bayberry, etc.