Does Unsweetened Grapefruit Juice Help Burn Fat?

Grapefruits are a refreshing, tangy citrus fruit that many people enjoy as a breakfast option to help fulfill the USDA's recommended 7 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. With just 120 calories and zero grams of fat, grapefruits and their unsweetened juices have also become staples in some weight-loss plans. It is important to consult with your physician, however, before changing or beginning any new nutritional regime.

Effects

Drinking 8 oz. of grapefruit juice is equivalent to eating half of the fruit itself, and the delicious beverage is low in sodium, high in potassium and just might aid in the body's fat-burning process. A study completed by the Scripps Clinic and led by Dr. Ken Fujioka researched the weight-loss and metabolic effects of grapefruit during a 12-week trial with roughly 100 men and women. Those who drank grapefruit juice three times a day lost an average of 3.3 lbs., while the control group who did not consume any grapefruit lost on average only a half a pound. The results were published in the "Journal of Medicinal Food" in 2006.

Insulin Response

Fujoika's study also indicated a physiological link between insulin in the body and grapefruit. Lowered insulin levels can assist the body in burning fat more efficiently, and the Scripps Clinic study also noted that grapefruit stabilized blood sugar levels. Two-hour post-glucose testing showed a decrease in insulin levels in both the group that consumed grapefruit and the group that consumed 8 oz. of grapefruit juice. Medical News Today reported that Fujoika thinks that grapefruit is an important tool in improving overall health and wellness, especially for those with metabolic conditions. He said that whether it is grapefruit's ability to reduce satiety or its effects on insulin reduction, it does appear to assist weight loss.

Hydration

Grapefruits are comprised of almost 90 percent water. Consuming grapefruit, therefore, adds to your necessary water intake, helps the body stay hydrated, maintains proper electrolyte balance to avoid water retention and also keeps your metabolism active. Drinking grapefruit juice will also allow for hydration, and faster absorption in the body. The body takes an average of two hours to break down and absorb foodstuffs, but a healthy digestive system can absorb the nutrients in juice in an average of 30 minutes. Hydration is also important for liver and kidney function. If the body becomes dehydrated, the liver has to step in to assist the kidneys, taking a break from its one of its primary duties, which is to metabolize fatty acids and turn them into glucose that the body uses for energy.

Considerations

Grapefruits can interact with medications you ingest, because they contain properties that block medications from breaking down and being absorbed in the intestines. This can cause medications to build up in the bloodstream and potentially become toxic. Check with your doctor to make sure adding grapefruit juice to your diet is safe.