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Overview: Miracle fruit is the red berry of a West African plant called Synsepalum dulcificum. The berry contains a protein called miraculin that makes sour and acidic foods taste sweet for a short time. Fresh berries, freeze-dried berry powder, and tablets are used for this taste-changing effect, and some people take miracle fruit to cut back on sugar, to help with weight or blood sugar, or to help with taste changes during cancer treatment. The benefits of miracle fruit, other than its short-term effect on taste, are not well defined. It seems to be well tolerated. Before taking miracle fruit, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking, especially if you have diabetes.

Uses

What is miracle fruit used for?

Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) is a red berry that is best known for its ability to change the way food tastes. Some people use it as a sugar substitute or to make low-sugar foods more enjoyable. Its short-term effect on taste is well documented.

Miracle fruit is also used for the following, but evidence in humans is limited, and the benefits for these uses are not well defined.

  • Weight and blood sugar. Miracle fruit is sometimes taken before meals to help lower sugar and calorie intake, and it has been studied in people with diabetes or prediabetes.
  • Taste changes during cancer treatment. Miracle fruit is sometimes used to help with chemotherapy-related taste problems, such as a metallic or unpleasant taste.
  • Antioxidant and general wellness support. Some people also take miracle fruit as an antioxidant and for general wellness.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed miracle fruit for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does miracle fruit work (mechanism of action)?

Miracle fruit is the berry of a plant called Synsepalum dulcificum, also known as the miracle berry plant. The plant is native to tropical West and Central Africa, where different parts of the plant have long been used in traditional medicine. The small red berries are eaten fresh or are dried and made into powders and tablets.

The main active ingredient in the berry is a protein (glycoprotein) called miraculin. Miraculin attaches to the sweet taste receptors on your tongue. When you eat something sour or acidic, miraculin causes those foods to taste sweet for a short time. This is why miracle fruit is called a taste-modifying food. The effect is temporary and wears off on its own.

Miracle fruit berries also contain many other natural chemicals, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, plant sterols, and other plant compounds. In laboratory research, some of these chemicals appear to have antioxidant effects. Laboratory and animal research has also looked at whether chemicals in the plant may affect blood sugar, cholesterol, and other body functions.

The benefits of miracle fruit, other than its short-term effect on taste, are not well defined. Evidence in humans is limited.

Herbal products such as miracle fruit naturally contain many different chemicals, such as miraculin. The amounts of each chemical in a specific miracle fruit product may vary. Different amounts of miraculin may change the effects of miracle fruit on the body. Some miracle fruit dietary supplements are made to contain a certain amount of these substances. There are also some dietary supplements made from miracle fruit that only contain miraculin.

How should I store miracle fruit?

You should store miracle fruit according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of miracle fruit?

Miracle fruit seems to be well tolerated. But there is not enough research to know what the common side effects may be. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Miracle Fruit?

While less common, the most serious side effects of miracle fruit are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Miracle fruit may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking miracle fruit and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Miracle Fruit?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take miracle fruit.

  • Magic berry
  • Miracle berry
  • Miracle berry plant
  • Miracle fruit
  • Miracle fruit plant
  • Miraculin
  • Miraculous berry
  • Sideroxylon dulcificum
  • Sweet berry
  • Synsepalum dulcificum
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific miracle fruit products they stock.

What should I know about Miracle Fruit before using it?

Miracle fruit is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Miracle fruit is available in several forms. Common forms include fresh or frozen berries, freeze-dried berry powder or granules, tablets, and products that contain only the miraculin protein. Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep miracle fruit out of the reach of children.

Herbal products, such as miracle fruit, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific miracle fruit product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year it was harvested, and the way it was processed after being harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

The FDA has not tested miracle fruit products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Miracle Fruit?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Also tell them if you have an upcoming surgery planned. Sharing this information will help your health care provider know if this or other supplements are right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.

  • Diabetes or blood sugar problems
  • An allergy to miracle fruit or other plants

Other Medicines and Supplements. Before taking miracle fruit, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how miracle fruit could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if miracle fruit passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does miracle fruit interact with foods or drinks?

Miracle fruit changes how sour and acidic foods and drinks taste. After you take it, foods such as lemons, vinegar, and pickles may taste sweet for a short time. This is the expected effect of miracle fruit, and it wears off on its own.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect miracle fruit.

Does miracle fruit interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using so they can watch for any potential interactions.

If you take medicines for diabetes or blood sugar control, tell your health care provider before using miracle fruit. Some research suggests miracle fruit may affect blood sugar, although this has not been confirmed in humans.

The interactions between miracle fruit and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with miracle fruit is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking miracle fruit with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much miracle fruit?

If you or someone else has used too much miracle fruit, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Miracle fruit is available as fresh or frozen berries, freeze-dried berry powder or granules, tablets, and products that contain only the miraculin protein. It is usually taken just before a meal or before eating sour or acidic foods, so that those foods taste sweet.

Read the product label closely and speak with a health care provider about how to use miracle fruit safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.