Grapefruit is considered healthy because it contains many vitamins, phytochemicals and fiber. However, grapefruit can also be dangerous – especially in combination with certain medications.

Like all citrus fruits, grapefruits are very healthy because of their high vitamin C content. The grapefruit has a lot to offer and also provides many other important nutrients. That is why the fruit is also considered the queen of citrus fruits. However, fresh grapefruit and grapefruit juice can also become a serious health hazard. We explain what makes grapefruit so healthy and what you should definitely pay attention to when eating.

Grapefruit is healthy – thanks to these ingredients

Grapefruit has a particularly high content of vitamin C. The so-called ascorbic acid is important for the immune system and the development of connective tissue, among other things.

In addition, grapefruit also provides folic acid (vitamin B9), the vitamin A precursor beta-carotene and some other B vitamins in smaller quantities. The citrus fruit also contains the minerals potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphate. The watery fruit has almost no calories and fat – but a lot of fiber pectin.

The many secondary plant substances also make grapefruit so healthy: carotenoids have an antioxidant, immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effect. They should also be able to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, age-related eye diseases and possibly even cancer.

Not healthy: Grapefruit interacting with drugs

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice affect the effects of 85 drugs.
Serious side effects can occur with about half of the drugs. Stomach bleeding, kidney or heart damage and even deaths have been observed.
Mode of action: Grapefruits inhibit the body’s own enzyme CYP3A4. This occurs mainly in the liver and the intestinal wall and is responsible for the breakdown of many drugs. By inhibiting the enzyme, the drugs are broken down less quickly. Many medications have a stronger effect, some weaker.
The drugs affected include antihypertensive drugs, heart pills, sleeping pills and sexual enhancers.
Even a single grapefruit or a glass of grapefruit juice can cause significant interactions. Even 24 hours apart, grapefruits can affect the effectiveness of medications.
For example, grapefruits can lead to pain and muscle weakness in combination with cholesterol-lowering drugs, heart pills to palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath, or water-repellents to high water loss and dehydration, according to the BR.

In addition, grapefruit can also interact with birth control pills. Accordingly, the pill does not lose its effectiveness, but can lead to side effects such as breast tenderness and an increased risk of thrombosis.

Eat grapefruits healthily: Recommended intake

Based on the results, the scientists from the study mentioned advise against consuming grapefruit and grapefruit juice at all if you are taking medication.

The researchers also point out that there is still a need for research on drug interactions. It is quite possible that other drug interactions will become known in the future. Therefore, as a precaution, if you are taking prescription medication, you should minimize the consumption of grapefruit or consult your doctor.

Incidentally, the “dangerous” plant substance naringin is also found in grapefruit and in the bitter or Seville oranges, which are often used for jam. The same consumption recommendations apply to these types of fruit. According to the BR, oranges and orange juice are harmless, as is apple juice.

If you are not taking any medication, you do not need to worry about unwanted side effects: Then you can enjoy the healthy grapefruit and self-squeezed grapefruit juice and benefit from the good ingredients.

Grapefruit is well known for its distinctive citrusy flavor and incredible aroma, which makes this exotic fruit so popular in fresh juice bases.

1. First of all, grapefruit appeared in Malaysia and Indonesia.
2. Among the varieties of grapefruit, shades are golden, pink, white, and red.
3. About 75% of all fruit is juice. One medium grapefruit can yield about 2/3 cup juice.
4. Peeled fruit can retain up to 98% of vitamin C for a whole week.
5. Known for its yellow-pink-white undertones, this citrus can taste sweet or sour. It is low in calories, which helps in the fight against excess weight, and at the same time, it is a lot of benefits.
6. Grapefruit contains 78% of the daily value of vitamin C, which helps the body maintain a high immune system. At the same time, vitamins A, E, and B6 improve the condition of the skin and the functioning of internal organs.
7. If you are trying to lose weight, then adding grapefruit to your diet is a great solution. This fruit helps speed up the metabolic process in the body, due to which fat is burned even during sleep and rest. Dietary fiber, which is extremely rich in grapefruit, also brings additional benefits to digestion.
8. Regular consumption of grapefruit reduces the risk of problems with the digestive and excretory organs, and for women, this citrus also plays an important role in the prevention of breast cancer.
9. The smell of grapefruit alone is enough to relax and forget about stress. Researchers have found that citrus scent has an awakening effect on our senses. Scientists call this effect the therapeutic power of plants.
10. The sour taste you get when tasting grapefruit is caused by the plant flavonoid naringenin, which is extremely beneficial in eliminating kidney masses.
11. Eating at least 1 grapefruit a day can help prevent bleeding problems and the same antioxidants that citrus is rich in can help wounds heal faster.
12. Evergreen grapefruit trees grow on average up to six meters, although some can grow up to fifteen meters.
13. The leaves of a grapefruit tree are dark green in color, rather thin and elongated. The flowers are snow-white with four petals.
14. The grapefruit has a yellow-orange peel. The fruit is in the shape of a flattened spheroid with a diameter of 10 to 15 centimeters (4-6 inches). One grapefruit tree can produce over 1,500 pounds of fruit.
15. We recommend adding this amazing citrus fruit to your diet, the use of which can be the healthiest habit in your diet.