People often look for fruits good for steroids, hoping that the right foods can support their health or reduce side effects. Fruit is a valuable part of a healthy diet, and some choices can help with specific side effects, particularly for people taking prescribed corticosteroids such as prednisone. However, no fruit can prevent or reverse the effects of steroids, and some marketing claims about fruit and steroid use are not supported by evidence.
This article explains how fruit fits into the diet of people taking corticosteroids or anabolic steroids, which choices make the most sense, and which claims to be wary of.
Two types of steroids, different considerations
“Steroids” can refer to two very different types of medication. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are prescribed to reduce inflammation in conditions such as asthma, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are related to testosterone and are used medically for low testosterone, and non-medically to build muscle. Our guide to the key facts about steroids explains the difference.
Their side effects differ, so the dietary considerations differ too.
What fruits are good when taking prednisone?
Corticosteroids such as prednisone can raise blood sugar, increase appetite, cause the body to retain sodium and fluid, lower potassium levels, and, with long-term use, weaken bones. Diet cannot prevent these effects, but sensible choices can help manage some of them.
Fruits rich in potassium
Prednisone can lower potassium levels, particularly at higher doses or with longer use. Potassium-rich fruits include bananas, oranges, apricots, kiwi, melon, and avocados. These are usually a good choice, unless a doctor has advised limiting potassium.
Whole fruit rather than juice
Because corticosteroids can raise blood sugar, whole fruit is generally a better choice than fruit juice. The fiber in whole fruit slows the release of sugar into the blood, while juice delivers sugar quickly. This matters particularly for people with diabetes or prediabetes, whose blood sugar may need closer monitoring while taking steroids.
Fruit to help with appetite
Increased appetite and weight gain are common with corticosteroids. Fruit is filling, relatively low in energy, and rich in water and fiber, so it can be a useful swap for higher-calorie snacks.
Bone health
Long-term corticosteroid use can reduce bone density. Fruit contributes to a healthy diet, but calcium and vitamin D, from foods such as dairy products or fortified alternatives, are the main dietary priorities for bone health. A doctor may recommend supplements or other treatment for people on long-term corticosteroids.
Corticosteroids can also cause sleep problems and restlessness, which caffeine can make worse, as covered in our article on caffeine and prednisone.
Can fruit protect against anabolic steroid side effects?
No. Anabolic steroids can lower HDL cholesterol, raise blood pressure, affect the liver, and suppress natural testosterone production. No fruit or other food has been shown to prevent these effects.
What a diet rich in fruit can do is support heart health generally. Diets high in fruit, vegetables, and low-fat dairy and lower in sodium, such as the DASH diet, have been shown in controlled trials to lower blood pressure (Appel et al., 1997). This is a healthy pattern for anyone, but it cannot offset the cardiovascular effects of anabolic steroid use, described in our article on steroids and blood pressure.
Common claims to be wary of
Some claims about fruit and steroid use go beyond the evidence:
“Fruits support liver detox during a cycle.” There is no evidence that any fruit protects the liver from the effects of oral anabolic steroids.
“Antioxidant-rich fruits speed recovery.” Fruit is part of a healthy diet, but there is little evidence that particular fruits meaningfully speed muscle recovery.
“Certain fruits balance hormones or boost testosterone.” Normal amounts of fruit do not meaningfully change testosterone or other hormone levels.
“Pomegranate increases nutrient delivery to muscles.” Some research has studied pomegranate and blood flow, but there is no good evidence that it improves muscle growth.
Concentrated supplements marketed with similar claims can also carry their own risks, as explained in our article on vitamins and minerals for steroid users.
Fruit cautions to know
Grapefruit can interact with many medications by affecting how they are broken down in the body. Anyone taking prescription medications should ask a pharmacist whether grapefruit is safe with their medicines.
High-potassium fruits may need to be limited by people with kidney disease or those taking certain blood pressure medications or potassium-sparing diuretics, because potassium levels can become too high.
Fruit juice and dried fruit are concentrated sources of sugar and are best eaten in moderation, especially by people whose blood sugar is affected by corticosteroids.
How much fruit should you eat?
For most adults, dietary guidelines recommend around two servings of fruit a day as part of a varied diet that also includes vegetables, whole grains, protein foods, and dairy or fortified alternatives. Choosing a variety of fruits, mostly whole rather than juiced, provides a range of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
The bottom line
There are fruits good for steroids in the sense that fruit can be a healthy part of the diet for anyone taking them. For people on prescribed corticosteroids such as prednisone, potassium-rich whole fruit, rather than juice, can help with some common side effects such as low potassium, raised blood sugar, and increased appetite.
For anabolic steroid users, fruit supports general heart health, but no fruit can prevent effects such as lower HDL cholesterol, raised blood pressure, or liver strain. Anyone with questions about diet while taking steroids, or about food and medication interactions, should speak with a doctor, pharmacist, or dietitian.
References
Appel LJ, Moore TJ, Obarzanek E, et al. A clinical trial of the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure. New England Journal of Medicine. 1997;336(16):1117–1124.
