Grapefruit and Weight Loss

Researchers conducted a three-month study on 100 obese adults who were divided into three groups to see if eating grapefruit had an affect on weight loss. The first group ate half a grapefruit with each meal, three times a day, and lost 3.6 pounds on average. The second group of participants, who ate a similar diet without the grapefruit, lost only 0.5 pounds on average, and the third group drank grapefruit juice and lost 3.3 pounds on average. Individually, some participants who ate the grapefruit lost as much as 10 pounds, researchers say.

Results of the study also showed that the grapefruit group had reduced levels of insulin and glucose, which might be linked to weight loss. They believe the phytonutritients found in grapefruit affect the way the body deals with sugar and makes it less likely to be bound up to fat. This may help the body to use food for energy more efficiently and reduce the amount as stored fat, they explain. Because of this finding, researchers say eating grapefruit may help protect obese people from diabetes. (Telegraph.co.uk January 29, 20040

Dr. Robery O Young's research indicates that grapefruit helps to buffer excess acidity from the the foods we eat and the energy we consume and thus helps to lower acidic blood sugars. The body will only retain fat as a protection against acids in our lifestyle and diet that are not being eliminated through urination, perspiration, respiration or defication.

Grapefruits also contain a flavonoid naringine that helps to increase hematocrit or blood iron to normal levels in cases of anemia. Naringine is also effective in preventing cancer. Furthermore, narigine improves blood circulation, while pectin (a soluble vegetable fiber) unclogs arteries. The bitter flavor comes from limonene, a limonoid that gives grapefruit its proven anticarcinogenic properties.