Grapefruit is a tart, juicy citrus fruit packed with both flavor and nutrition. Due to a belief that grapefruit has special metabolism-boosting properties, some weight-loss diets incorporate large amounts of this fruit as a way to help you slim down. Although there is little evidence to support the idea that grapefruit raises your metabolism, this high-fiber, low-calorie food may help you shed pounds for other reasons.
Research
Research examining the effects of grapefruit on metabolism is limited, but one weight-loss study suggests grapefruit may play a role in helping you slim down. A paper published in the spring 2006 issue of the "Journal of Medicinal Food" found that study subjects eating either fresh grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice before each meal lost significantly more weight than those in the placebo group, and also lost more weight than those drinking apple juice before their meals. However, the weight loss may have been due to lower calorie intake or increased physical activity, so the effects of grapefruit itself are still inconclusive.
Benefits
Regardless of whether grapefruit increases your metabolism, this fruit may still be helpful for shrinking your waistline. Grapefruit provides abundant nutrition in a low-calorie package, with half a fruit containing only 60 calories and providing 100 percent of your daily requirement for vitamin C, 35 percent of your requirement for vitamin A and 4 percent of your requirement for calcium. In addition, grapefruit is a rich source of fiber, which can assist in weight loss by making you feel satiated during and after your meal.
Considerations
Although grapefruit is a nutritious addition to your diet, including weight-loss regimens, diversity is key to getting a full range of vitamins and minerals each day. Avoid weight-loss plans that rely on grapefruit to the exclusion of other foods, that eliminate entire food groups or that severely restrict your calorie intake, as such diets may be unsustainable and can lead to deficiencies over time.
Warning
If you take a prescription medication, consult your physician or pharmacist before incorporating grapefruit into your diet. As the Mayo Clinic explains, grapefruit contains certain chemicals that can affect how your body metabolizes medications, sometimes increasing the drug's potency and leading to an unintentional overdose. Medications that may have interactions with grapefruit include statins, anti-seizure medications, immunosuppressants, antidepressants, anti-retroviral medications, calcium channel blockers, anti-seizure medications, antihistamines, anti-anxiety medications and anti-arrhythmia medications.
References
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; The Effects of Grapefruit on Weight and Insulin Resistance: Relationship to the Metabolic Syndrome; Ken Fujioka, et al.; Spring 2006
- Fruits and Veggies, More Matters; Grapefruit Nutrition, Selection, Storage
- MayoClinic.com: Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet
- MayoClinic.com: Grapefruit Juice: Beware of Dangerous Medication Interactions
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