Does Grapefruit Help To Lose Weight?

Weight loss schemes abound, and diets centered around individual foods or food groups can arouse suspicion in the eyes of experts or at the very least result in nutritional deficiencies in consumers. Grapefruits have been made a focus of at least one fad diet, but there may be some science to this. According to a study published in the "Journal of Medicinal Food" in spring 2006, eating grapefruit before meals is associated with weight loss, although the exact mechanism is unknown. Before starting a new diet, consult your health specialist.

Research on Grapefruit

Grapefruit's effect on weight loss has not been extensively studied. However, an experiment conducted by the Scripps Clinic's Department of Endocrinology examined the effects of grapefruit on body weight in obese individuals. After 12 weeks, those who consumed grapefruit three times a day before each meal lost a significant amount of weight compared with those given a placebo. Whether taking grapefruit in the form of juice, a capsule or half a fruit, individuals lost an average of more than 1 kg, equivalent to ½ lb.

Grapefruit's Benefit a Mystery

Subjects who ate grapefruit lost the most weight, or an average of 1.6 kg, while subjects taking grapefruit in capsule form lost the least, or 1.1 kg. Researchers were unable to identify the mechanism by which grapefruit helps you lose weight but recommended including grapefruit as part of a weight-loss regimen. A quick survey of grapefruit's nutritional content may offer a clue into these mysterious mechanisms.

Glycemic Index

The glycemic index, or GI, is a measurement of a food's affect on blood sugar levels. Foods with high GIs cause a greater increase in blood sugar after a meal than low-GI foods. This results in the release of insulin, a major factor in weight gain and water retention, according to Walter Willett, M.D., author of "Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy." Grapefruits have a GI of 25, with values under 55 considered low. Eating grapefruit with other foods may reduce the total GI score of the meal and prevent weight gain.

Fiber

You have probably heard of fiber's role in weight loss, and MayoClinic.com states that fiber can aid weight loss efforts. Fiber is calorie free, and because it adds bulk to a meal, can make you feel fuller faster and for longer periods than meals that are fiber deficient. Half a grapefruit contains 2 g of fiber, and at 40 calories, it is a low-calorie food.