Who should avoid eating grapefruit?
Although grapefruit is mostly water, it is a very healthy food, containing high levels of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
Health benefits of grapefruit
Grapefruit, like other fruits, provides a good source of fiber, which can help support cardiovascular and gut health, maintain healthier cholesterol levels, and control weight.
With its low calorie content, grapefruit can be a perfect choice when you're trying to lose weight. Additionally, it's packed with antioxidants and phytocompounds that have potential cancer-fighting properties, according toAmerican Institute for Cancer Research.
Eating citrus fruits like lemons, grapefruits, and oranges has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer (including pancreatic, stomach, gastrointestinal, and upper respiratory cancers) in several studies. This research suggests that adding a few servings of citrus fruits to your diet each week may reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Grapefruit offers many health benefits. Photo: Toan Vu
Grapefruit is rich in antioxidants such as lycopene, which has anti-cancer properties and may reduce some side effects of cancer treatments. It has also been shown to increase blood flow to the brain.
In laboratory studies, grapefruit has been shown to contain numerous nutrients and phytocompounds that may offer protection against cancer. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. In laboratory studies, it protects cell DNA by trapping free radicals, thus replicating the antioxidant capacity of vitamin E.
Vitamin C—an antioxidant found in many fruits and vegetables such as grapefruit, oranges, bell peppers, and broccoli—helps prevent the formation of cancer-causing nitrogen compounds. Diets rich in vitamin C have been linked to a reduced risk of stomach, colon, esophageal, bladder, breast, and cervical cancer.
Grapefruit also has another benefit that other citrus fruits don't: a high content of vitamin A, or beta-carotene. One orange provides about 4% of your vitamin A needs, while an entire grapefruit can provide more than 50% of your requirement. Vitamin A is important for eye health and, like vitamin C, supports the immune system, helping to protect against inflammation.
Additionally, one grapefruit provides about 10% of your daily potassium needs, along with 8% of your thiamine and folate needs.
Who needs to be careful when eating?grapefruit?
Johns Hopkins Medicine praises grapefruit as a healthy food rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. According to the organization, this fruit with many segments is rich in fiber, which helps reduce inflammation and regulate blood pressure.
Grapefruit is very good for the gut because its fiber content also promotes the growth of good bacteria. This fruit also helps control bad cholesterol. Furthermore, eating it regularly can aid in weight loss because it helps the body feel full for longer.
However, some groups should avoid eating grapefruit. Specifically, people with digestive or stomach problems may be sensitive to the acid in grapefruit and other acidic foods, such as vinegar or tomato sauce.
Generally speaking, if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eating highly acidic foods can worsen your symptoms. But this isn't a strict rule.
Therefore, listen to your body and pay attention to how you feel after eating certain foods. If you find that grapefruit or any other food causes you trouble, you should try cutting it out of your diet.
If you have conditions like gastritis or ulcers, you may need to avoid grapefruit and other acidic foods, caffeine, and spices, especially if you are severely ill, as these foods can irritate the stomach.
Tooth enamel erosion is another concern with grapefruit and other citrus fruits. However, for most people, removing grapefruit from their diet is unnecessary unless you have enamel problems or sensitive teeth. You would have to consume a lot of acidic foods over time to damage your teeth.
If you are taking medication, please consult your doctor before consuming grapefruit. (Illustration: Adobestock)
Grapefruit and medicine
Grapefruit can inhibit an enzyme that helps your body break down certain medications. If this enzyme is blocked, too much medication can remain and build up in your bloodstream, causing dangerously high levels.
Some medications whose metabolism may be affected by grapefruit include atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin (cholesterol-lowering drugs), fexofenadine (an allergy medication), nifedipine (a blood pressure medication), and cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant).
However, even within drug groups, there can be differences. One pill might interact with grapefruit, and another pill, or a similar medication for the same condition, might not. Therefore, it's best to consult your doctor if you have any doubts.
Similarly, according toMayo ClinicThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires certain medications to include a warning about consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking the medication.
Commonly prescribed medications that may interact with grapefruit include those for treating infections, lowering cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart problems, seasonal allergies, seizures, motion sickness, erectile dysfunction, and coughs.
To be safe, always talk to your doctor when you receive a new prescription.