As Americans struggle to control their weight and improve their health, alternatives such as grapefruit offer some promise as a way to improve cardiovascular health. As a dietary addition, grapefruit offers a healthy source of vitamin C, dietary fiber and vitamin A. It has a low glycemic index, or GI, so it will not cause your blood sugar to skyrocket. Medical evidence has shown that it may also provide health benefits regarding cholesterol control. As with any dietary supplement, you should approach adding grapefruit to your diet with some caution, especially if you are currently under treatment for high cholesterol.
Risks of High Cholesterol
High cholesterol carries serious health risks that are exacerbated by the fact that high cholesterol has few noticeable symptoms. You may not realize that you have an increased risk of heart disease and sudden death due to high cholesterol. Consuming a diet high in saturated fats and trans fats increases your risk. You can lower your cholesterol with lifestyle changes, including exercise and a healthy diet. Grapefruit may also offer an alternative approach to lowering cholesterol.
Grapefruit and LDL
Grapefruit may help control your cholesterol by lowering your LDL, or bad, cholesterol. LDL causes your blood vessels to constrict, which can increase the risk of life-threatening clot due to the added pressure. A 2005 study by the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School in Israel considered the effects of red grapefruit on plasma lipid or fat levels in rats. Researchers found that red grapefruit lowered lipid levels and showed better antioxidant activity. The study also concluded that grapefruit was a suitable addition to a disease-prevention diet.
Grapefruit and Triglycerides
Triglycerides are another type of fat that can increase your risks of developing atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, although the exact mechanism is not known. A 2006 study by the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School in Israel considered the effects of red and blonde grapefruits on humans with high triglyceride levels. After 30 days, total cholesterol levels dropped by 7.6 to 15.5 percent, and LDL dropped by 10.7 to 20.3 percent. Triglyceride levels also posted drops between 5.6 and 17.2 percent. Researchers observed the greatest decreases in participants consuming red grapefruit.
Guidelines for Use
Because of its effects on cholesterol, grapefruit may not be safe for all individuals, especially those currently taking cholesterol-lowering medications. Consuming grapefruit may interfere with the metabolism of some drugs, causing you to retain higher levels in your body. With some medications, this can pose serious health consequences. Drugs that have known interactions with grapefruit include the antihistamine Fexofenadine, some calcium channel blockers, and statin drugs, including Lipitor and Zocor. If you are on any prescription medication, discuss adding grapefruit to your diet with your doctor before making a change.
References
- University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics: Glycemic Index
- National Institutes of Health; High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need To Know; June 2005
- "Journal of Human Hyperte/nsion"; Effects of LDL Cholesterol on Vascular Function; C. Rosendorff; March 2002
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Changes in Plasma Lipid and Antioxidant Activity in Rats as a Result of Naringin and Red Grapefruit Supplementation; S. Gorinstein, et al.; April 2005
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Red Grapefruit Positively Influences Serum Triglyceride Level in Patients Suffering from Coronary Atherosclerosis: Studies In Vitro and in Humans; S. Gorinstein, et al.; March 2006
- MayoClinic.com; Grapefruit Juice: Beware of Dangerous Medication Interactions; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; November 2010
