Grapefruit could make a heart-healthy addition to your diet. But if you take heart medications, do not include grapefruit in your meal plan. Grapefruit interacts adversely with heart medications -- as well as a long list of other prescription and over-the-counter remedies.
Lower Risk of Heart Disease
Regular grapefruit consumption could lower your risk of heart disease, according to a study led by Dr. Shela Gorinstein and published in the March 2006 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry." Dr. Gorinstein and colleagues at Israel's Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School found that eating grapefruit can lower triglycerides, a type of fat that can clog arteries and lead to heart disease. The 57 women and men in the study ate grapefruit every day for 30 days. All participants experienced a decrease in their triglyceride levels. Red grapefruit had a more dramatic effect than white in reducing triglyceride levels, but both types helped.
Healthy Cardiac Diet
A good cardiac diet restricts intake of cholesterol, saturated fat, trans fat and sugar and increases intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. To reduce dietary cholesterol and saturated fat, choose lean proteins and keep portions small. To reduce trans fat, cook with olive or canola oil instead of shortening or margarine. Choose low-fat milk instead of whole milk and skinless chicken instead of hot dogs. Grapefruit, low in calories and virtually fat-free, fits comfortably in a cardiac diet.
Lycopene
Pink and red grapefruit contains lycopene, an anti-oxidant that may shield you against heart disease. The Mayo Clinic website says that lycopene may reduce cholesterol levels and improve atherosclerosis, which causes a reduction in blood flow. But the Mayo Clinic website says further research is needed to make definitive health claims about lycopene. Lycopene may help explain why red grapefruit helps to lower triglycerides better than white grapefruit.
Serious Drug Interactions
Grapefruit stops the CYP3A4 enzyme from metabolizing medications. This can lead to a dangerous surplus of medication in your body and cause potentially fatal side effects. Do not include grapefruit in your diet if you take prescription heart medications or statins to lower cholesterol. Other medications that react adversely with grapefruit include birth control pills, sedatives and antihistamines. Side effects include blood clots, heart attack and stroke. If you take any type of medication, ask your doctor about whether you can safely include grapefruit your diet.
References
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Red Grapefruit Positively Influences Serium Triglyceride Level in Patients Suffering From Coronary Atherosclerosis: Studies in Vitro and in Humans; Shela Gorinstein et al; March 2006
- "The Daily Telegraph"; Does It Work? Grapefruit; Amy Iggulden; Nov. 15 2005
- MayoClinic.com: Lycopene; April 1 2011
- "The Gazette"; Grapefruit can be toxic when mixed with drugs; Charlie Fidelman; Oct. 26 2005
- MayoClinic.com: Atherosclerosis
- MayoClinic.com: Heart Disease: Heart-Healthy Diet; March 22 2011
