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- Mayo Clinic: Grapefruit Juice: Beware of Dangerous Medication Interactions
- Mayo Clinic: Lycopene; April 1 2011
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How Is Grapefruit Related to Heart Disease?
Grapefruit relates to heart disease in two surprisingly opposing ways. Eating or drinking grapefruit reportedly aids in the prevention of heart disease 1. However, if you are taking heart medications to prevent heart disease, grapefruit can become a danger to your health.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Triglycerides Reductions
A 2006 study conducted by Shela Gorinstein of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem showed that consuming a grapefruit every day could lower your risk of developing heart disease 1. Ms. Gorinstein’s study consisted of 57 women and men who had high blood pressure. They ate a grapefruit daily and all experienced a reduction in their triglycerides, a form of cholesterol that can lead to heart disease. Those who ate red grapefruit experienced the most significant results; however, white grapefruits also proved to have had cholesterol-lowering abilities.
- A 2006 study conducted by Shela Gorinstein of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem showed that consuming a grapefruit every day could lower your risk of developing heart disease 1.
- Those who ate red grapefruit experienced the most significant results; however, white grapefruits also proved to have had cholesterol-lowering abilities.
Lycopene
Does Drinking Grapefruit Juice Lower Blood Pressure?
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Consuming pink grapefruit may also shield you from heart disease because it contains lycopene, advises Jane Wilson, a British Dietetic Association nutritionist. Lycopene is an antioxidant and, according to Mayo Clinic, it is possible that it will prove helpful if you have high cholesterol or atherosclerosis, but there is not yet any solid proof of this claim. It is important to note that figuring whether the lycopene in pink grapefruits can help your heart shouldn’t be your top priority if you take heart medications. If you are taking heart medications, you should steer clear of grapefruit altogether, no matter how beneficial it may be to those not on any drugs.
- Consuming pink grapefruit may also shield you from heart disease because it contains lycopene, advises Jane Wilson, a British Dietetic Association nutritionist.
- Lycopene is an antioxidant and, according to Mayo Clinic, it is possible that it will prove helpful if you have high cholesterol or atherosclerosis, but there is not yet any solid proof of this claim.
Negative Reaction with Heart Medications
Nancy Chaytor, a Canadian nurse practitioner, warns that a “single glass of grapefruit juice can increase the level of a drug in your blood.” Chaytor cautions against consuming grapefruit if you are on any drugs relating to your heart. This is because grapefruit elevates the level of heart medications in your system by stopping your body from metabolizing heart medications. Because of this, you can end up with an extreme excess of heart medication in your system, making your dosage monumentally higher than what your doctor prescribed. The results of this can be fatal.
- Nancy Chaytor, a Canadian nurse practitioner, warns that a “single glass of grapefruit juice can increase the level of a drug in your blood.” This is because grapefruit elevates the level of heart medications in your system by stopping your body from metabolizing heart medications.
Other Drug Interactions
The Effects of Grapefruit on Synthroid
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The New York Times warns against consuming grapefruit with the following medications: Sular, Desyrel, Serzone, Seroquel, Buspar, Halcion, Versed, Valium, Plendil, Cardene, Procardia, Lipitor, Baycol, Tegretol, Sonata, Seldane, Hismanal, Claritin, Nimotop, Sular, DynaCirc, Zaleplon, DynaCirc, Viagra, Propulsid, Invirase, Norvir, Nimotop, Plendil, Cardene, Depo-Medro, Sandimmune, Prograf, Procardia, Viracept, Agenerase, Ortho-Cept, Methylprednisolone, Zocor, Mevacor, Rapamune and Cordarone. There may be many more drugs that grapefruit reacts negatively with, so consult your doctor before mixing drugs and grapefruit. Side effects include heart attacks and strokes.
Related Articles
References
- "The Evening Standard"; Have a Heart, Have a Red Grapefruit; Mark Prigg; Feb. 9 2006
- Mayo Clinic: Grapefruit Juice: Beware of Dangerous Medication Interactions
- "The Daily Telegraph"; Does It Work? Grapefruit; Amy Iggulden; Nov. 15 2005
- “The New York Times”; Experts Reveal the Secret Powers of Grapefruit Juice; Nicholas Bakalar; March 21 2006
- Grapefruit, raw, pink and red, all areas. USDA FoodData Central. Updated April 2019.
- Vitamin C - Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Office Of Dietary Supplements. Updated July 2019
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- Vitamin A Fact Sheet for Professionals. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. February 14, 2020
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- Chen P, Zhang W, Wang X, Zhao K, Negi D, Zhou L, et al. Lycopene and risk of prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2015;94(33):e1260. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000001260
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- Dow CA, Going SB, Chow H-HS, Patil BS, Thomson CA. The effects of daily consumption of grapefruit on body weight, lipids, and blood pressure in healthy, overweight adults. Metabolism. 2012;61(7):1026-1035. doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2011.12.004
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- Bourrier T, Pereira C. Allergy to citrus juice. Clin Transl Allergy. 2013;3(Suppl 3):P153. Published 2013 Jul 25. doi:10.1186/2045-7022-3-S3-P153
- Grapefruit Juice and Some Drugs Don't Mix. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Consumer Updates. Updated July 2017.
- Grapefruit juice and statins. Harvard Medical School - Healthbeat. Harvard Health Publishing. Updated September 2019.
- Bailey DG, Dresser G, Arnold JM. Grapefruit-medication interactions: Forbidden fruit or avoidable consequences?. CMAJ. 2013;185(4):309-16. doi:10.1503/cmaj.120951
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- Murphy MM, Barraj LM, Rampersaud GC. Consumption of grapefruit is associated with higher nutrient intakes and diet quality among adults, and more favorable anthropometrics in women, NHANES 2003-2008. Food Nutr Res. 2014;58:10.3402/fnr.v58.22179. doi:10.3402/fnr.v58.22179
Writer Bio
Kathryn Gilhuly is a wellness coach based in San Diego. She helps doctors, nurses and other professionals implement lifestyle changes that focus on a healthy diet and exercise. Gilhuly holds a Master of Science in health, nutrition and exercise from North Dakota State University.