TikTok claims this fruit cures constipation and stomach problems – so is it really a superfood?

A TikTok trend making waves on the social media site says that eating yellow dragon fruit can cure constipation.

Users claim that the spiny, hard-shelled fruit — which is actually part of the cactus family — acts as a natural laxative.

Videos with the hashtag #yellowdragonfruit have been viewed more than 100 million times since February. Users have been shown cutting into the fruit and eating both the internal white part and the seeds.

However, experts have told DailyMail.com that there may not really be anything special about it, and that eating too much of a high-fiber fruit is likely to send you to the bathroom anyway.

Many fruits, including yellow dragon fruit, promote regular bowel movements due to their high fiber content.

Fiber helps to increase and soften the weight and size of stool, making it easier to pass.

This is crucial to speed up the digestion process.

The trend started in February, a user named Halley Kate posted a video about how delicious yellow dragon fruit was. “It was one of the tastiest fruits I’ve ever had in my entire life,” Kate said.

She posted another two days later video saying that the yellow dragon fruit had completely cleared her digestive system.

“I’m telling you there was nothing left in my body,” Kate said. “The seeds contain so much dietary fiber that they act as a natural laxative.”

a lurch the original video got 3.2 million likes with the user eating a yellow dragon fruit and shortly afterwards cutting himself in the bathroom.

Since then, the hashtag #yellowdragonfruit has been viewed more than 110 million times.

Yellow dragon fruit is actually not even a fruit.

It’s a tropical cactus that, according to many TikTok users participating in the trend, tastes like a cross between a kiwi and a pear with a “honey-like flavor.”

“It tastes like a pear and a pineapple when they have a baby,” Kate said.

The rind is inedible, so the inner white portion and seeds are where the nutrients can be found.

While similar to other dragon fruit colors, some users claim that the yellow variety is slightly sweeter.

It is rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, as well as protein, calcium, vitamin A, iron and magnesium. It is also low in calories with only 60 calories per 3.5 ounces.

Most importantly, it is rich in soluble fiber. It contains nearly 5 grams of fiber in every six-ounce serving.

Since the Dietary Guidelines for Americans estimate that more than 90 percent of Americans don’t eat enough fiber, suddenly eating fiber-rich foods can speed up digestion.

The Mayo clinic recommends getting 25 grams of fiber a day if you’re a woman under 50 and 38 if you’re a man under 50. For those over 50, aim for 21-30 grams a day.

Soluble fiber is a type of fiber that absorbs water and turns into a gel in the digestive tract. This makes stool easier to pass, which can be beneficial for someone with constipation.

“Soluble fiber is the fiber associated with relieving/preventing constipation,” Carolyn Williams, PhD, RD, author of Meals that Heal and co-host of the Happy Eating Podcast, told DailyMail.com. “Adequate water and hydration is essential for soluble fiber to do its job.”

Williams also said that the simple sugars, namely fructose, in fruits such as yellow dragon fruit also have a mild laxative effect.

A recent judgement found that both soluble and insoluble fiber, which doesn’t absorb water, can support gut health and weight loss.

However, adding too much fiber at once can wreak havoc on your digestive system, especially in people with irritable bowel syndrome.

“Because of this laxative effect, you don’t want to eat too much in one sitting or you might end up with diarrhea,” Williams said.

It’s best to start slowly and combine fiber from any source with fluids to aid digestion more gradually.

And for those who already get enough fiber, adding extra probably won’t make a difference to your bathroom habits.

Yellow dragon fruit isn’t the only way to increase your fiber intake. For example, a cup of raspberries contains 8 grams of fiber and an artichoke has 6.9 grams.

“Although it is a good source of fiber, it is not a panacea, as most people need at least 25 grams of fiber per day.”

to help with regular bowel movements,” Veronica Rouse, owner of The cardiac dietitian, told DailyMail.com. “I would also recommend consuming a variety of other high-fiber foods, such as vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, to ensure you meet your daily nutritional needs.”

There are also cheaper high fiber options out there. Depending on location, a yellow dragon fruit costs about $7. A pack of raspberries, on the other hand, can be half the price.