Glucose: LowNOVA 1

Nutritional Information for Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit (pitaya) is a tropical fruit providing around 60 kcal per 100g with moderate sugar content (9g) and good fibre (3g). From a SpikeSaver perspective, it has a low glycaemic index of approximately 48, meaning it produces a relatively gentle blood sugar response for a fruit. It is NOVA 1 when fresh. Note: Tesco does not consistently stock fresh dragon fruit — the batch data primarily returned smoothie and drink products containing dragon fruit as an ingredient rather than the whole fruit itself. Nutritional values below are based on USDA reference data for fresh dragon fruit.

Nutrition per 100g

NutrientPer 100gPer serving
Energy60 kcal / 251 kJ120 kcal
Protein1.2g2.4g
Carbohydrates13g26g
of which sugars9g
Fat0.4g0.8g
of which saturated0.1g
Fibre3g
Salt0.01g

Serving size: 1 medium dragon fruit (~200g flesh) · Source: USDA FoodData Central; Tesco product page, October 2025

Glucose impact

Low

Glucose risk

Dragon fruit has a glycaemic index of approximately 48, which is low. Its 3g of fibre per 100g helps slow sugar absorption. With 9g of sugar per 100g, it sits in the moderate range for fruit — lower than mango (~14g) or grapes (~16g), but higher than berries (~5-6g). The high water content (around 85%) also helps moderate the glucose response.

Processing level

NOVA 1 (unprocessed)

Fresh whole dragon fruit is an unprocessed single-ingredient food — just fruit. No additives, no preservatives, no flavourings. However, Tesco primarily stocks dragon fruit as an ingredient in processed drinks and smoothies, which are NOVA 3-4. If you can find fresh dragon fruit, it remains NOVA 1.

Dragon Fruit at Tesco

Source: USDA FoodData Central; Tesco product page, October 2025

£5.20*NOVA 4 (ultra-processed)

*Prices were correct at the time of collection and may have since changed. Check Tesco.com for current pricing.

What to watch for when shopping

Fresh dragon fruit may not always be stocked at Tesco — availability is seasonal and inconsistent. Most dragon fruit products found in Tesco's range are drinks and smoothies where dragon fruit is a minor flavouring ingredient, not the main food. These products are NOVA 3-4 with added sugars, flavourings, or sweeteners. If you want actual dragon fruit, check the exotic fruit section or consider frozen dragon fruit chunks (sometimes available). The nutritional values for fresh dragon fruit in this page are based on USDA reference data. Dragon fruit seeds contain small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.

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