ALLERGY RESOURCES

COMPREHENSIVE ALLERGY RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE - THE TOP 14 ALLERGENS AND BEYOND

COMPREHENSIVE ALLERGY RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE - THE TOP 14 ALLERGENS AND BEYOND
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DRAGON FRUIT ALLERGY


Key Allergens

Dragon fruits are fruits from plants in the Cactaceae, family of plants which include many species of cacti. The fruits from cacti are also sometimes called pitaya

The seeds in the fruit are the most likely culprits for causing allergic reactions.

Dragon fruits contain profilin proteins and Lipid Transfer Proteins.


Food Intolerances

Food is low in salicylates Food is low in FODMAP

Dragon fruits are a low FODMAP food. FODMAP stands for Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Foods high in FODMAPs can cause symptoms of food intolerance, affecting the gastro intestinal system and this can be mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.

Dragon fruits are also low in salicylates. Salicylates have the potential to cause worsening of asthma, swelling, itching and hives as well as food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.

You can read more about Food Intolerances on the dedicated Food Intolerance Page.

Associated Syndromes

Allergy to profilin proteins can be linked to Celery Mugwort Spice Syndrome. This is where a person is sensitised to profilin in plant pollens and subsequently gets oral allergy type symptoms to eating foods which contain the same protein.

People with multiple allergies to foods can sometimes link it to LTP (Lipid Transfer Protein) Syndrome. The symptoms of this condition are usually more severe than CMS Syndrome and can include anaphylaxis.


Cross Reactivity

Other foods which contain profilins can include apple, banana, carrot, date, eggplant, fig, grape, hazelnut, kiwi, lychee, mango, mustard, onion, parsley, rice, soya, strawberries and walnuts.

Lipid Transfer Proteins are found in apricot, blueberry, cherry, fig, green beans, kale, lettuce, orange, peach, raspberries and tomato.

Note these food lists are not exhaustive, you can find the most up to date information on the Cross Reactivity Tool.




Resources

Websites

Science Direct - Hylocereus

Science Direct - Pitaya

FODMAP Every Day - Dragon Fruit

Low Sal Life - Dragon Fruit


Articles and Journals

Red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) as a source of betalains and phenolic compounds: Ultrasound extraction, microencapsulation, and evaluation of stability, 2024

High pan-allergen content in mango and peach in Taiwan, 2023

Identification of Allergens in White- and Red-Fleshed Pitaya (Selenicereus undatus and Selenicereus costaricensis) Seeds Using Bottom-Up Proteomics Coupled with Immunoinformatics, 2022

The Biochemical Basis and Clinical Evidence of Food Allergy Due to Lipid Transfer Proteins: A Comprehensive Review, 2014

Anaphylactic shock due to kiwifruit, 2012

Anaphylactic reaction to (mixed) fruit juice containing dragon fruit, 2009

Allergy to red pitaya, 2008



Let me know if you found any of these interesting or useful. If you spot an article or research that you think is interesting you can message me or tag me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter - links at the bottom of the page.


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