Current:Home > ScamsDoes grapefruit lower blood pressure? Here’s everything you need to know.-LoTradeCoin
Does grapefruit lower blood pressure? Here’s everything you need to know.
View Date:2024-12-24 00:26:16
The refreshingly tart flavors of grapefruit can often be overlooked when compared to the fruit’s other citrus cousins, but in the summer, grapefruit can be a wonderful addition to salads, smoothies, or even simply enjoyed by itself.
Widely regarded as a superfood, grapefruit’s health benefits are backed by science. Evidence suggests that eating grapefruit can boost your intake of essential vitamins and minerals — it may even help fight cancer.
In recent years, studies have also concluded that eating grapefruit can help moderate blood pressure and promote heart health. But how exactly does this work? We spoke with a registered dietitian to find out everything you need to know.
What are the health benefits of grapefruit?
While you should always find ways to incorporate fruit into your diet, “there's a couple things about grapefruit that does make it more unique,” says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES, a registered dietitian, author of “2-Day Diabetes Diet,” and creator of The Blood Sugar Fix.
Grapefruit is packed with potassium, fiber, and the antioxidant vitamin C — essential nutrients that support your immune and cardiovascular systems. The fruit’s low position on the glycemic index scale, and corresponding impact on blood sugar, also makes it a nutritious food to eat if you’ve been diagnosed with type two diabetes, Palinski-Wade says.
Does grapefruit lower blood pressure?
Yes - if you’re struggling with hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, definitely consider incorporating grapefruit into your diet. Eating high-potassium fruits, including grapefruit, has been linked to reducing blood pressure, per Healthline. When ingested, potassium gets to work by relaxing your blood vessel walls, improving muscle function and allowing for your body to better receive nutrients, according to Harvard Health.
While studies have shown there are many fruits that can help moderate blood pressure, in particular to grapefruit, “the sweet red and the pink varieties seem to have even a greater impact,” says Palinski-Wade.
Grapefruit’s high fiber content may also contribute to lowering blood pressure, by way of weight management. “If you're [eating] grapefruit regularly, and it's rich in a broader and efficient fiber, it's going to help you feel more satisfied,” potentially reducing calorie intake, and helping you lose weight, explains Palinski-Wade. “By reducing even a small amount of body weight, we do see a benefit to blood pressure.”
Can you eat grapefruit while taking blood pressure medication?
According to studies, there are over 85 medications that may present dangerous side effects if consumed alongside grapefruit. Of these medications, some are commonly-prescribed to treat blood pressure.
More:What are seed oils? What you need to know about the food group deemed the 'hateful eight'
Interactions between grapefruit and these medications occur in the digestive system. When a medication enters your intestine, it’s typically broken down with the help of the enzyme CYP3A4. Grapefruit can disrupt this process, causing the drug to enter your bloodstream at a higher concentration than intended. Occasionally, the opposite effect can occur, and your body can block the drug from being absorbed into your bloodstream, resulting in these medications not functioning as intended, per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Therefore, to mitigate these adverse effects, if you take medication to treat high blood pressure (or any medication for that matter), it’s essential that you consult your prescribing doctor or pharmacist before eating grapefruit.
veryGood! (85)
Related
- Satire publication The Onion acquires Alex Jones' Infowars at auction
- Cuba says human trafficking ring found trying to recruit Cubans to fight for Russia in Ukraine war
- The Andy Warhol Supreme Court case and what it means for the future of art
- Carl Nassib, first openly gay player to play in NFL games, announces his retirement
- South Carolina does not set a date for the next execution after requests for a holiday pause
- Chuck E. Cheese to give away 500 free parties to kids on Sept. 7, ahead of most popular birthday
- Raiders DE Chandler Jones away from team for 'private matter' after Instagram posts
- A cyclone has killed over 20 people in Brazil, with more flooding expected
- Mississippi woman pleads guilty to stealing Social Security funds
- Kelly Osbourne Shares Insight into Her Motherhood Journey With Baby Boy Sidney
Ranking
- Don't Miss Cameron Diaz's Return to the Big Screen Alongside Jamie Foxx in Back in Action Trailer
- 2 tourists die in same waters off Outer Banks within 24 hours
- China’s premier is on a charm offensive as ASEAN summit protests Beijing’s aggression at sea
- 2 men plead guilty to vandalizing power substations in Washington state on Christmas Day
- Taylor Swift Politely Corrects Security’s Etiquette at Travis Kelce’s Chiefs Game
- Hit in DNA database exonerates man 47 years after wrongful rape conviction
- India’s prime minister uses the G20 summit to advertise his global reach and court voters at home
- Poccoin Cryptocurrency Exchange Platform - The New King of the Cryptocurrency
Recommendation
-
Father, 5 children hurt in propane tank explosion while getting toys: 'Devastating accident'
-
Greek ferry captain, 3 seamen charged over death of tardy passenger pushed into sea by crew member
-
How Megan Fox's Bold Red Hair Transformation Matches Her Fiery Personality
-
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Give Glimpse Into Their Summer Vacation With Their Kids—and Cole Sprouse
-
Florida Man Arrested for Cold Case Double Murder Almost 50 Years Later
-
How Pippa Middleton and James Matthews Built Their Impressive Billion-Dollar Empire
-
Gadget guru or digitally distracted? Which of these 5 tech personalities are you?
-
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints Moms for Liberty co-founder to state Commission on Ethics