A Ningbo man feared serious illness when his urine turned red, but doctors confirmed it was caused by dragon fruit pigments—color normalized next day.

Social Context

Diet-induced pseudohematuria is widely documented in China’s National Clinical Guideline Database, yet public awareness remains low. Zhejiang health authorities now include food-colorant warnings in routine urinalysis patient handouts—especially targeting younger demographics consuming trendy superfoods.

Safety Tip

Before panic-testing for hematuria, recall recent intake of beets, berries, or dragon fruit—and wait 24–48 hours to observe color resolution before seeking urgent care.