The Benefits Of Drinking Grapefruit Juice

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Fruit and Veggies Matter website, most grapefruits come from Florida. While the white, pink and ruby red varieties of grapefruit all offer health benefits, the CDC claims that ruby red grapefruits offer the most vitamins and nutrients. No matter what kind of grapefruit juice you pick, you'll be giving your body a dose of antioxidants and essential vitamins.

Nutrients

According to a 2007 study conducted by Gail Rampersaud from the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, pink grapefruit juice provides the body with more nutrients per calorie than all other common fruit juices, such as pineapple, grape and apple juice. Just one 8 oz. glass of pink grapefruit juice provides a whole day's recommended amount of vitamin C, says Rampersaud. Grapefruit juice also contains potassium, thiamin, folate, magnesium and carotenoids that can convert to vitamin A inside the body.

Antioxidants

Grapefruit juice contains disease-fighting antioxidant vitamins that help protect your body's cells from damage and disease. Antioxidants such as lycopene, which gives grapefruits their reddish color, help keep your body's immune system healthy, says the American Dietetic Association. Antioxidants also might help reduce the risk of certain cancers and other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease.

Heart Benefits

A 2006 study published in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" found that consuming one fresh red grapefruit per day helped reduce both cholesterol and triglycerides in study participants with heart disease. "The beneficial effects of eating grapefruit seem to be due in part to pectin, a type of fiber that is found in grapefruits," said Healthnotes chief science editor Alan R. Gaby, MD. While only red grapefruit lowered triglycerides, both red and yellow grapefruits were found to lower total cholesterol as well as LDL cholesterol levels.

Weight Loss

According to a study conducted by the Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center at the Scripps Clinic in San Diego, California, drinking grapefruit juice might aid in weight loss. The study, conducted in 2004, found that participants who drank grapefruit juice three times daily lost an average of 3.3 lbs. over the course of 12 weeks. The study's researchers speculate that grapefruit reduces insulin levels, which encourages weight loss. "Our study shows grapefruit can play a vital role in overall health and wellness, and in battling America's ever-growing obesity epidemic," said Ken Fujioka, principal researcher at the Scripps Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center.

Warning

The CDC warns that drinking grapefruit juice might interfere with certain prescription medications, such as midazolam, cyclosporin, lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin and thyroid medications. Grapefruit juice also might increase the levels of some prescription antihistamines, which in extreme cases could lead to fatal heart arrhythmia. If you currently take any medication, including antihistamines, check with your doctor to ensure that drinking grapefruit juice won't negatively affect your health.