What is Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice Good For?

When many people think of grapefruit they automatically think of the bitter taste; while the fruit may taste bitter the rewards it has to offer your body are very sweet. Ruby Red grapefruit has been shown to fight the common cold as well as prevent some forms of cancer. Ruby Red grapefruit is a high source of Vitamin C; eating half of a grapefruit will provide you with 40 milligrams of Vitamin C per serving. Vitamin C is important in developing a healthy immune system and your body's ability to fight off illness.

While almost everyone is aware of the high levels of Vitamin C contained in grapefruit what they may not be aware of is that Ruby Red grapefruit is an excellent source of pectin which is a soluble form of fiber that has been shown to reduce cholesterol. Ruby Red grapefruit lowers LDL, or bad cholesterol as it is commonly referred to as well as triglyceride levels. That is not the only health benefit of eating Ruby Red grapefruit; it is also responsible for lowering the chances of a person developing colon and lung cancer. Scientists have proven that Ruby Red grapefruit is successful in reducing enzymes that have been shown to cause those types of cancers.

As if those health benefits weren't enough to convince you to add Ruby Red grapefruit to your diet there are plenty of additional benefits as well. Drinking one liter of grapefruit juice per day has been shown to increase your urinary pH value which, in turn, lowers your risk of developing kidney stones. If you suffer from high blood pressure you may want to start drinking 8 ounces of Ruby Red grapefruit juice per day. A regular 8 ounce serving of juice will provide you with 11 percent of the recommended daily value of potassium. Potassium is important to maintaining a balance between electrolytes and fluid in your body's cells. Potassium is also a key factor in promoting heart health and reducing your risk of developing high blood pressure.

If you're looking for ways to boost your metabolism, look no further. Ruby Red grapefruit is low in sodium and high in enzymes that burn fat help flush excess water from your system. Ruby Red grapefruit has a high water content that, when combined with the niacin it contains will help boost your metabolism. Ruby Red grapefruit also increases the production of enzymes in your liver that help eliminate toxins from your body. These are some of the reasons that Ruby Red grapefruit has grown in popularity. Eating or drinking the recommended servings each day will greatly improve your current level of health and make you look forward to your next serving of Ruby Red grapefruit.

Registered nutritionist, Nicola Shubrook, outlines the health benefits of grapefruit, from its rich vitamin content to its protective plant compounds, and investigates claims it aids weight loss, lowers cholesterol and more.

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What is grapefruit?

Grapefruit is part of the citrus family and grows in clusters on trees, like grapes – this is said to be where the name originates. Grapefruits come in a variety of colours including yellow, pink and red, and they have a variety of flavours, from sweet to sour.

Discover our full range of health benefit guides and check out some of our best grapefruit recipes, from our sweet potato pancakes with orange and grapefruit, to our turkey steaks with citrus and ginger sauce.

Nutritional profile of grapefruit

An 80g serving of fresh grapefruit provides:

• 24 kcals/101 KJ
• 0.6g protein
• 0.1g fat
• 5.4g carbohydrates
• 1.4g fibre
• 160mg potassium
• 29mg vit C

Half a fresh grapefruit, or 80g of tinned grapefruit, counts as one five-a-day portion and 150ml of unsweetened grapefruit juice also counts, but only once due to its high sugar content.

Discover more ways to reach your five-a-day.

Top 5 health benefits of grapefruit

1. Rich in antioxidants

Grapefruit provides a number of beneficial and protective nutrients and plant compounds which have antioxidant properties. This means they help protect cells from the potential damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals.

In particular, they’re a good source of beta-carotene, which is converted in the body to vitamin A, and is thought to reduce the risk of chronic conditions including macular degeneration. Grapefruit is also a useful source of lycopene, which is associated with a reduced risk of cancer.

2. May support heart health

In 2012, the American Heart Association published a report that suggested that a diet high in certain flavonoids, compounds found in citrus fruits including grapefruit, may lower a woman’s risk of stroke. However, more research is needed to understand exactly why this is.

Grapefruit is rich in potassium and fibre, as well as protective antioxidants which may help manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Human studies have demonstrated the beneficial role grapefruit, and specifically red grapefruit, may play in helping to improve cholesterol levels, particularly in those suffering with atherosclerosis.

3. May help with weight loss

While low in calories and high in fibre, eating grapefruit is unlikely to deliver the dramatic weight loss touted in some fad diets; however, there is some evidence to suggest that consuming grapefruit may be of some assistance. A 12-week Japanese study looked at the effects of grapefruit versus a placebo, and there was a significant reduction in weight, as well as blood glucose levels, in those participants who consumed half a grapefruit before meals.

4. May aid blood sugar management

Animal studies have examined the beneficial role grapefruit juice may play in reducing blood glucose levels and improving insulin resistance. This is further supported by a higher fruit and green vegetable intake being associated with a significantly reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

5. May promote better brain function

There is some promising research into the role of flavonoids in the diet and improvements in memory and cognition, as well as the prevention of neurodegenerative conditions. However, it is too early to say whether grapefruit, in particular, has a significant impact on brain health.

Can grapefruit affect prescription medications?

The NHS advises that fresh grapefruit or grapefruit juice should not be consumed with certain medications, as it has been shown to reduce their breakdown and elimination, which can result in increased blood levels of the drug. These include, but are not limited to, statins, calcium channel blockers, immunosuppressants, certain cancer medications and Entocort, which is used to treat Crohn’s disease. Always check with your GP if you're taking a prescription medication before consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice.

Read more from the NHS about how grapefruit can affect medicine.

Healthy grapefruit recipes

Grapefruit, orange & apricot salad
Prawn, pomegranate & grapefruit salad
Turkey steaks with citrus & ginger sauce
Prawn & pink grapefruit noodle salad
Lettuce rolls

This page was last updated on 23 August 2021 by Kerry Torrens.

Kerry Torrens is a qualified Nutritionist (MBANT) with a post graduate diploma in Personalised Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy. She is a member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and a member of the Guild of Food Writers. Over the last 15 years she has been a contributing author to a number of nutritional and cookery publications including BBC Good Food.

Nicola Shubrook is a nutritional therapist and works with both private clients and the corporate sector. She is an accredited member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT) and the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). Find out more at urbanwellness.co.uk.

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All health content on bbcgoodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other healthcare professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local healthcare provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.

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