Like most fruit juices, white grapefruit juice has a high sugar and carbohydrate content. Because of the high sugar and low fiber content of fruit juice, the Harvard School of Public Health recommends consuming fruit juice in moderation and choosing whole fruits whenever possible.
Total Carbohydrates
A 90-calorie, 8 oz serving of white grapefruit juice contains about 21 g of carbohydrates. By comparison, a 60-calorie serving of grapefruit, or about half a medium grapefruit, contains only 15 g of carbohydrates. White grapefruit juice has fewer grams of carbohydrates per serving than red grapefruit juice, however. A 110-calorie, 8 oz serving of red grapefruit juice contains about 26 g of carbohydrates.
Sugar
White grapefruit juice has about 17 g of sugar per 8 oz, serving, while red grapefruit juice has about 26 g of sugar per 8 oz serving. By comparison, a serving of grapefruit contains only 11 g of sugar.
Fiber
White grapefruit juice provides no dietary fiber. A serving of grapefruit, on the other hand, provides 2 g of fiber. Adults should get 20 to 30 g of fiber per day, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Fiber, a non-digestible carbohydrate, promotes healthy bowel function and provides a feeling of fullness with fewer calories, helping you to control your appetite and manage your weight.
Nutrients
A serving of white grapefruit juice can provide 100 percent of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C. White grapefruit juice provides few other nutrients, however. An 8 oz serving provides 2 percent of your recommended daily intake of calcium and no vitamin A or iron. A serving of grapefruit, on the other hand, provides 35 percent of your recommended daily intake of vitamin A as well as 100 percent of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Neither whole grapefruit nor grapefruit juice contains fat or cholesterol.
Warning
Grapefruit juice and other grapefruit products can have negative interactions with certain prescription medications. Enzymes in grapefruit products can increase the potency of certain medications, with potentially dangerous effects. Pomelos and Seville oranges can have similar effects, according to the Mayo Clinic website. Prescription medications that may have dangerous interactions with grapefruit juice include antidepressants, antihistamines, statins, immunosuppressants, calcium channel blockers and anti-anxiety, anti-arrhythmia, anti-retroviral and anti-seizure medicines.
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