Does Grapefruit Juice Really Help You Lose Weight

The infamous grapefruit diet promises weight loss if you incorporate the fruit into every meal, which is why grapefruit and its juice are often touted for their ability to help you shed pounds. But is there really a connection between grapefruit juice and weight loss?

First off, using grapefruit juice as your chief tool for weight loss can be dangerous and unsustainable, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Still, there are certain grapefruit juice benefits that make it a good addition to a balanced diet.

Avoid drinking grapefruit juice (or eating grapefruit) if you take medications for cholesterol or blood pressure or take corticosteroids, anti-anxiety meds or antihistamines, as they can interact and cause health issues, according to the FDA.

Homemade Grapefruit Juice Recipe (grapefruit Detox)

Some fad diets claim that the enzymes in grapefruit (and grapefruit juice) burn fat, according to the Cleveland Clinic. There isn't evidence to back this up, and what little research is out there is scant and conflicting. Still, it's possible that grapefruit juice may help with weight loss indirectly.

​​ had 86 adults with obesity eat either fresh grapefruit, grapefruit juice or water before each meal for three months after completing a two-week caloric restriction phase. All three groups lost weight, indicating that eating fruit, hydrating or drinking grapefruit juice before meals may be linked to reduced caloric intake.

​ found that mice on a high-fat diet gained less weight when they drank grapefruit juice compared to water. However, this research only studied what grapefruit juice does for weight loss in mice, so more studies are needed to show this same link in humans.

The People's Pharmacy

Other evidence is conflicting. An older March 2006 study in the ​​​Journal of Medicinal Food​​ gave 96 people with obesity either a placebo, a grapefruit capsule, apple juice, grapefruit juice or half a grapefruit before each meal for three months. The study found that the group who ate fresh grapefruit lost more weight than the other groups.

But this research is older, so new and larger studies are needed to better determine the link (if any) between grapefruit juice and fat loss.

If losing weight is your goal, talk to your doctor about the best diet and exercise plan for you rather than relying on one ingredient to find results, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Grapefruit Juice (recipe & Benefits Of Grapefruit)

While there's no clear link between grapefruit juice and weight loss, the beverage can still be a part of a balanced diet. Here are some of the benefits of 100-percent grapefruit juice:

Grapefruit juice contains vitamins and minerals like calcium and vitamin C, per My Food Data. While these nutrients alone aren't responsible for inducing weight loss, eating a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats can contribute to finding your ideal weight, according to the Mayo Clinic.

And per a May 2014 review in ​​Food & Nutrition Research​, people assigned female at birth (AFAB) who regularly ate grapefruit or drank its juice had higher intakes of vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, fiber and beta-carotene compared to those who didn't.

Risks Of The Grapefruit Diet When You Have Thyroid Disease

​ review, grapefruit juice may be good for cholesterol, too. The research found that those who regularly ate the fruit or drank its juice had higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and lower triglyceride levels.

However, it's important to note that this doesn't mean grapefruit juice causes good cholesterol levels — the study just establishes a link between the two.

And remember, grapefruit can interact with medications for high cholesterol. So if you're taking this type of medicine, steer clear of the fruit despite this potential benefit.

Surprising Side Effects Of Drinking Grapefruit Juice, Say Dietitians — Eat This Not That

It's possible that drinking grapefruit juice before a meal may help keep your blood sugar levels from spiking. For example, the 2014 ​

​ study found the mice that drank grapefruit juice had lower blood sugar and improved insulin tolerance compared to the mice that drank water.

​ research found that grapefruit helped reduce insulin levels and improved insulin resistance — however, these results were observed with those who ate fresh grapefruit, not juice. And this study is older, so new research is needed to better establish the relationship between grapefruit juice and blood sugar levels specifically.

The Grapefruit Diet: Does It Really Work?

Ruby red grapefruit juice comes from a fruit that's more red in color than pink, according to the University of Florida. Per My Food Data, pink and red juice have about the same nutritional content, so ruby red grapefruit benefits and effects on weight loss are the same as those listed above.

Indeed, this citrusy beverage can be a nutritious addition to a well-rounded diet. But grapefruit juice alone is not the recipe for weight loss.

Calorie intake should not fall below 1, 200 per day for people AFAB or 1, 500 per day for people assigned male at birth unless under the supervision of a doctor, per Harvard Health Publishing, because eating too few calories can deprive you of nutrients.Supporters of the diet claim grapefruit can help burn fat, quickly leading to weight loss in as few as 12 days. But there’s limited research to support these claims.

No One Can Decide If Grapefruit Is Dangerous

Summary The grapefruit diet incorporates grapefruit into every meal and promises rapid weight loss due to fat-burning enzymes found in grapefruits. However, there’s no research to support this claim.

Summary Multiple versions of the grapefruit diet exist, but every version is high in protein and low in carbohydrates and calories. Some versions limit you to just 800 calories per day.

Incorporating low calorie, highly nutritious foods like grapefruit into your diet is a smart and healthy choice — not just for weight loss, if that’s your goal, but for your overall health.

The Benefits Of Grapefruit Juice

In addition to protecting your immune system, research shows that grapefruit consumption is associated with higher intake of magnesium, potassium, dietary fiber, and improved diet quality (

Grapefruit’s fiber-rich content may also help you feel fuller and eat fewer calories throughout the day (5), which may help with weight loss.

Summary Grapefruits are low in calories and highly nutritious. That said, more research is needed to support claims that they can help with weight loss.

Juicing For Weight Loss: What Experts Say You Should Know

Twelve days on such a restricted plan may be possible, but eating the same foods and such few calories every day could lead some people to ultimately abandon the plan.

In addition, most salad dressings and meats you can eat on the grapefruit diet — especially the daily morning bacon — are high in saturated fats and cholesterol.

Summary Low calorie diets like the grapefruit diet may result in initial weight loss, but they have their share of health drawbacks. The restrictive diet is also unsustainable, limiting, and confusing.

Grapefruit: Benefits, Facts, And Research

Although claims of some magical fat-burning enzyme in grapefruits aren’t backed by research, studies have found grapefruit to be positively associated with weight loss.

A 2014 study found that body weight, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) were lower among female grapefruit consumers when compared to non-consumers (

Although quick and temporary weight loss is possible on the grapefruit diet, it’s probably due to the fact that you’re consuming less than 1, 000 calories a day (

Could Grapefruit Juice Curb The Effects Of A High Fat Diet?

You may initially lose weight on this diet. But studies show that low calorie diets rarely keep weight off for good (

Summary Studies have found grapefruit can help with weight loss, but weight loss on the grapefruit diet may be due to consuming fewer calories. More current research is needed to determine the connection between grapefruit and weight loss.

By slowing down how your body normally breaks down medications in your gut and liver, grapefruit can increase the side effects of these drugs, increasing your risk for complications.

Powerful Fruits To Lose Weight And Burn Belly Fat Instantly

Summary Grapefruit can be part of a healthy diet, but it can also interfere with certain medications. Ask your doctor before consuming grapefruit when taking medication.

Outside of a couple of small studies, there’s no evidence to suggest there’s any magical power found in grapefruit other than the fact that it’s a low calorie, highly nutritious citrus fruit.