The Effects of Grapefruit on Weight and Insulin Resistance

Grapefruit-oriented diets have been at the forefront of mainstream dieting for decades. There have been diets that include grapefruit since the ’30s. Even though in the past there wasn’t enough evidence about the benefits of this fruit, experts now claim there is sufficient evidence that proves how useful this food can be. Since there is a diabetes crisis all over the world, this is big news. Scientists claim that consuming enough grapefruit juice can work as efficiently as Metformin. Metformin is a common drug used for managing diabetes. Turns out that this is not just a simple diet that took the attention of some Hollywood celebrities. In fact, there is more to it.

The Experiment

Experts conducted research on mice. They divided the specimens into groups. One of the groups received the compound called naringin found in grapefruit juice. The other group got metformin. The two groups were fed 10%-60% of fat daily for 100 days. Scientists monitored the metabolism and overall health of the mice. The end result was astonishing – the grapefruit compound managed to reduce the blood glucose. In other words, this juice proved almost as effective as metformin. This research proves that a 100% natural drink can produce almost the same results as an artificially produced drug. To balance out the sourness of the grapefruit, some of the mice were fed with saccharin. Taking calories into consideration, researchers added the same amounts of everything in every group so it’s all completely identical. The group that consumed grapefruit managed to decrease their blood glucose levels by a shocking 17 percent! They were also more sensitive to insulin, which is crucial for people with diabetes. Since we are constantly being bombarded with strange, new diets that don’t even sound promising anymore, it sure is hard to believe that something like this would actually work. But, science claims this diet can prove useful. Consult with a professional before undergoing any kind of new treatment, especially if you’re already on medications. If you don't consume grapefruit properly, it could have a negative influence on your system. Plus, it can interact with diabetes medications. Update: Research shows that grapefruit can interact with many medications, including blood cholesterol meds, anti-depressants, hypertension medication, and the most popular diabetes drug - metformin. A 2009  study shows that grapefruit juice increases metformin buildup in the liver and lactic acid levels in diabetic rats. Even though more research is necessary to know the effects of this juice on humans, it is still best to consult with a professional before you decide to implement it in your diet. So, if you have diabetes and take diabetes medications, make sure to consult with your doctor or nutritionist to know how much or how little grapefruit juice you can consume.