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Is Dragon Fruit Acidic?

Lisa Price
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by Lisa Price

Have you ever tried dragon fruit? It’s a fun-looking fruit with gorgeous crimson skin and tasty pulp.

Also known as pitaya, this fruit has around 50 calories per serving and is high in vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. What a healthy way to satisfy our taste buds, right?

But that’s not all. It’s also rich in fiber and has a pH level between 6 — 7, so it’s good for digestion and heartburn.

So, how acidic is dragon fruit? Well, it’s very close to neutral on the pH scale. Let’s see what that means and learn more about this fruit.

Dragon Fruit
Dragon Fruit

pH Value of Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit has a pH value between 6 — 7.

The pH scale, which ranges from 0 — 14, is used to determine how acidic or basic a substance is. Everything below 7 is acidic, including fruits like strawberries and blueberries, while everything over 7 is alkaline, including most vegetables, herbs, and beans.

Neutral substances with a pH of 7 aren’t acidic or basic. For example, popcorn and bananas are neutral fruits because they score near 7 on the pH scale.

Red, yellow, and white dragon fruit have the same pH range. All varieties range from 6 to 7, so they are mildly acidic or neutral. Compared to red dragon fruits, yellow and white ones contain more antioxidants and minerals, but that doesn’t raise their pH value.

Dragon Fruit and Acid Reflux/GERD

Since dragon fruits are neutral to slightly acidic, it’s fair to claim that eating these fruits won’t cause heartburn or worsen symptoms of acid reflux and GERD.

The upward flow of gastric acid into the esophagus is known as acid reflux. It happens when the lower esophageal sphincter, a muscle between the esophagus and the stomach, is unable to seal properly.

Stomach acid entering the bottom region of the esophagus can cause a burning sensation known as heartburn. When heartburn lingers after meals regularly, it’s diagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

Dragon fruit has a high pH value and contains minerals like calcium and magnesium that increase the pH levels of the blood. 

The fruit is also low in sugar and can be digested without triggering the production of excessive stomach acid.

Moreover, one cup of this tropical fruit contains 7 g of fiber. Fiber absorbs fluids in the digestive tract, preventing stomach acid from rising to the esophagus. Thanks to these qualities, it doesn’t cause acid reflux.

How Much Dragon Fruit Is Safe to Eat During Acid Reflux and Gerd?

The daily recommended amount of dragon fruit for adults is 25 grams per serving.

A ripe fruit is a little soft on the outside. If it’s too hard, you may want to wait for it to ripen. Once it’s ripened, you can eat the insides and discard the skin, much like an avocado. Alternately, you can cut it in half and use a spoon to eat the pulp.

Can Dragon Fruit Contribute to a Healthy, Alkaline Diet?

Eating Dragon Fruit
Eating Dragon Fruit

When paired with alkaline foods, dragon fruit can add to a healthy diet designed to help you avoid acid reflux.

If you’re attempting to incorporate more dragon fruit into your diet, start with smoothies, juices, and salads — but be careful not to combine it with highly acidic foods that can cause heartburn.

If you want to make a smoothie, mix dragon fruit with cucumber, flaxseed, chia seeds, and banana. For a thicker consistency, you can add yogurt and milk. Feel free to add other high pH fruits like mangoes and watermelon if you want more variety and a richer taste.

Looking for a refreshing drink? Mix watermelon, dragon fruit, and water, and make an alkaline morning drink.

With the right ingredients, a fruit salad can also contribute to balanced pH levels in our bodies. You can pair dragon fruit with lettuce leaves, honeydew, watermelon, avocado, and bananas to make a delicious and non-acidic salad.

You can even add coconut yogurt on top. Yogurt is an excellent addition to smoothies and fruit salads since it contains probiotics that assist regular digestive function.

Dragon Fruit Acidic Effect on Teeth

Dragon fruit is low in sugar and acid content, so eating moderate amounts isn’t bad for your teeth.

Just be careful not to combine it with acidic fruits and beverages. Acids in food and drink contribute to enamel degradation.

Conclusion

Thanks to their neutral to mild acidity, all kinds of dragon fruit are safe to consume even when you’re experiencing acid reflux. They’re abundant in fiber and other healthy antioxidants that are good for the digestive system.

Dragon fruit won’t harm your teeth since it’s low on sugar and acid.

To eat a healthy alkaline diet, combine these fruits with other acid-reflux-friendly ingredients in smoothies, juices, and salads. Simply remember to stick to a regular consumption of 25 grams per serving.


About Lisa Price
Lisa Price
Lisa is Food Champ's resident fitness enthusiast and nutrition expert. She holds a nutrition degree in her home state of Florida and works for a large health system to ensure sound nutrition and dietetics information is passed on to all members.
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