Uses
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. The effectiveness ratings for GRAPEFRUIT are as follows:
Possibly effective for…
- Obesity. Taking a specific product containing sweet orange, blood orange, and grapefruit extracts seem to decrease body weight and body fat in overweight people. Some research also shows that eating fresh grapefruit daily increases weight loss in overweight people.
Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for…
- Asthma. Some research shows that eating vitamin C-rich citrus fruits, including grapefruit and others, might improve lung function in people with asthma. But other studies have not shown this benefit.
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis). Early research shows that the seed extract can decrease constipation, gas, and stomach discomfort in people with eczema. This benefit may be due to the effect of grapefruit on intestinal bacteria.
- High cholesterol. Early research suggests that taking pectin daily for 16 weeks decreases total cholesterol and the ratio of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good”) cholesterol compared to baseline.
- High levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia). Eating one fruit per day appears to reduce total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in people with high triglyceride levels.
- Lice. Early research shows that applying a shampoo containing extract to the hair of children for 10-20 minutes kills lice. Applying the shampoo again 10 days later helps remove any remaining nits.
- Acne.
- Depression.
- Digestive complaints in people with eczema.
- Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
- Headache.
- Infections.
- Muscle tiredness.
- Preventing cancer.
- Promoting hair growth.
- Psoriasis.
- Stress.
- Toning the skin.
- Vaginal yeast infections.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of grapefruit for these uses.
Side Effects Of Grapefruit
When taken by mouth: Grapefruit is LIKELY SAFE in the amounts normally used as food and POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth as a medicine. But it is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in large amounts.
If you take any medications, check with your healthcare provider before adding grapefruit to your diet or using it as a medicine.
Special precautions & warnings:
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
- Breast cancer: There is concern about the safety of drinking excessive amounts of grapefruit juice. Some research suggests that postmenopausal women who consume a quart or more of juice every day have a 25% to 30% increased chance of developing breast cancer. The juice decreases how estrogen is broken down in the body and might increase estrogen levels in the body. More research is needed to confirm these findings. Until more is known, avoid drinking excessive amounts of juice, especially if you have breast cancer or are at a higher than usual risk for developing breast cancer.
- Diseases of the heart muscle: Consuming grapefruit juice might increase the potential for abnormal heart rhythm. People with these diseases should consume it in moderation.
- Hormone-sensitive cancers and conditions: Consuming large amounts of grapefruit might increase hormone levels and therefore increase the risk of hormone-sensitive conditions. Women with hormone-sensitive conditions should avoid it.
- Irregular heartbeat: Consuming large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice might worsen irregular heartbeat. Don’t use grapefruit if you have this condition.
Warnings & Precautions
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of grapefruit during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
- Breast cancer: There is concern about the safety of drinking excessive amounts of grapefruit juice. Some research suggests that postmenopausal women who consume a quart or more of grapefruit juice every day have a 25% to 30% increased chance of developing breast cancer. Grapefruit juice decreases how estrogen is broken down in the body and might increase estrogen levels in the body. More research is needed to confirm these findings. Until more is known, avoid drinking excessive amounts of grapefruit juice, especially if you have breast cancer or are at a higher than usual risk for developing breast cancer.
- Diseases of the heart muscle: Consuming juice might increase the potential for abnormal heart rhythm. People with these diseases should consume grapefruit juice in moderation.
- Hormone-sensitive cancers and conditions: Consuming large amounts of grapefruit might increase hormone levels and therefore increase the risk of hormone-sensitive conditions. Women with hormone-sensitive conditions should it.
- Irregular heartbeat: Consuming large amounts of grapefruit or juice might worsen irregular heartbeat. Don’t use grapefruit if you have this condition.
Dosage Of Grapefruit
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
For obesity: 450-700 mg of a specific product containing sweet orange, blood orange, and grapefruit extracts twice daily for 12 weeks has been used. Eating half a fruit three times daily, drinking 8 ounces of grapefruit juice three times daily, or taking capsules containing freeze-dried whole grapefruit 500 mg three times before meals for 12 weeks has also been used.
Other
Consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
