The grapefruit cleanse is a detoxification diet. Advocates of detoxification diets claim that they make you focused and energized. But there is scant scientific evidence to support these claims, according to the Mayo Clinic website. And your kidneys and liver already filter most toxins from your body. Consult your doctor or nutritionist before starting any detoxification diet to ensure that you are safe from potential risks, such as dehydration and fatigue.
Grapefruit Cleanse
The grapefruit cleanse involves fasting and then adhering to a diet of raw vegetables, herbs, grapefruit, grapefruit juice and water. This means replacing your daily meals with raw vegetables and grapefruit for the duration of the cleanse, which is typically seven to 10 days.
Benefits
As part of a balanced diet, grapefruit is good for you. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can help you lower your cholesterol and lose weight, according to Drugs.com. Grapefruit can have an antibacterial effect on your urinary tract. Grapefruit also contains dietary fiber and d-limonene, a substance that dissolves gallstones and lowers the risk of renal-stone formation. In addition, its vitamin C can boost your immune system.
Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
Like other detoxification diets, the grapefruit cleanse can have side effects, including nausea and dizziness.
Grapefruit can also affect the way your body processes medications. Cholesterol and blood-pressure medications, such as buspirone and simvastatin, and grapefruit should not be eaten together, FamilyDoctor.org advises. A grapefruit cleanse, moreover, might exacerbate the interaction. Talk with your doctor about your medications and how they may interact with grapefruit.
Some variations of the cleans advise colon flushing. This may affect your electrolyte balance, according to the Mayo Clinic. An electrolyte imbalance is dangerous if you have a kidney or heart condition.
Recommended Daily Grapefruit Allowance
If you're trying to lose weight, you're better off eating two whole grapefruits daily, according to Drugs.com. Alternatively, drink about 8 oz. of grapefruit juice three times a day before each meal. Doing this for three months is likely to yield a weight loss, because grapefruit affects the way your digestive system processes fat. Grapefruit also causes a reduction in cholesterol levels, which helps your cardiovascular system.
References
- Drugs.com; Grapefruit; May 2011
- FamilyDoctor.org; Drug-Food Interactions: How Grapefruit Interacts with Certain Drugs; January 2011
- Mayo Clinic; Detox Diets: Do They Work?; Katherine Zeratsky; April 2010
- Mayo Clinic; Colon cleansing: Is it helpful or harmful?; Michael Picco; March 2011
- Mayo Clinic; Gallbladder cleanse: A 'Natural' Remedy for Gallstones?; Michael Picco; February 2010
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