Grapefruits Juice effects
Grapefruit (Scientific name: Citrus paradisi) tastes bitter but healthy and the bitterness can be reduced with sugar.
However, just like other foods and drugs, the nutrients and components are likely going to interact with other foods or drugs and in some certain health conditions if not taken based on guidelines from ideal medical personnel.
Is grapefruit juice good for you and is it OK to eat grapefruit every day?
This is one of the common questions asked by those who love to take this fruit but there’s no ‘Almighty’ answer to this question.
There’s always a side effect of taking too much of any fruit at a time and grapefruit (GF) is not an exception.
Drinking too much grapefruit juice may cause stomach aches and diarrhea, and in most people, it could result in lips burning as the lips become numb and tingle after eating too many grapefruits in some cases.
Are there Side effects of Taking Grapefruit juice?
Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) has no specific side effects but allergic reactions may occur.
If you’ve been diagnosed and warned against taking grapefruit extracts, then you should abstain from taking its products.
Grapefruits allergy
Some common symptoms of allergic reactions to GSE and side effects are tingling in the mouth, lips, throat, or stomach, swelling of the body, especially in the face and hands, nausea, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, rash, and others.
In some other cases, milk has reacted in some people when taken after taking Citrus paradisi, also known as pomelo in ages past.
If you’re on other medications, you should visit your doctor and ask if you could take grape fruit extracts without resulting in problems during this time since some drugs interact with grapefruits.
Grapefruits Drug interactions
Medications like Ibuprofen, Antidepressants, Metoprolol, Anticoagulants, Antibiotics, Lisinopril, and Scopolamine should not be taken with grapefruit without a doctor’s consent.
Grapefruit extracts have been discovered to have a significant amount of benzethonium chloride, an antiseptic substance that has proven to react with anticoagulants (Coumadin-warfarin for example) and can increase the risk of bleeding in men.
Grapefruit also has side effects with medications prepared for blood thinners and blood pressure and to avoid unhealthy interactions with these drugs, you’re always advised not to take GSE.
Coumadin warfarin is on the list of foods that interfere with warfarin, so, you can not eat grapefruit while taking it since it reduces the warfarin metabolism rate in the body and can cause harmful effects in the body.
Grape seed extracts contain ingredients that can disrupt the activities of enzymes in the body.
When this happens, it slows the metabolism rate and can spike high concentrations of substances that need to be digested in the body quickly. This is the fact behind the interference with drugs.
Another important thing to take note of is that grape seed extracts are produced industrially and contain additives that also speak of their side effects status.
Organically, grape seed extracts contain chemicals and preservatives like Triclosan and Methylparaben which are both hormone disruptors and could increase the level of toxins in the body.
Grapefruit seed extracts could also react to the sensitive part of your body (skin) and irritate.
Not only can it burn the lips, but it can also harm the eyes if it comes in contact. GSE should not be in contact with your nose and ears as well.
Grapefruit and weight loss
If you’re not in a special population, not allergic to Grapefruits, and not on any medication, taking one or two fruits per day is good, especially in the morning and at night, to lose weight or for other health benefits.
However, taking more than 3 may be considered too much because it’s highly rich in vitamin C, contains enzymes that burn fats, and lowers blood cholesterol and blood glucose.
You can lose much weight if taking much and much vitamin C could cause headaches.
Taking Grape fruits during pregnancy
It’s advisable to inform your doctor before taking grapefruit extracts if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
It’s a good health practice to ask your doctors about food you can take once you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and always call the attention of your doctor if you need to take drugs, intact, you should always abstain from self-medications.