Grapefruit Juice Benefits: The Good & Not So Good

People around the world are turning to juice for their daily fruit and nutrient intake. While juice alone isn’t enough to keep you healthy, it can be a way to incorporate healthy options into your diet. One such example is grapefruit; in juice form, this is a fantastic tropical drink, no denying it. But although it is high in antioxidants, it is also known for its distinctively sweet and sour taste.

So, is this worth it? What are the health benefits of grapefruit juice? Are there any downsides to drinking it? What are best brands are the best to buy? You’ve got questions, and we have the answers!

What Is in Grapefruit Juice?

The grapefruit was created in the 18th century. It is a cross between the pomelo and orange—the nutritional breakdown of an average-sized grapefruit.

• Calories: 52
• Carbs: 13 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Folate: 4% of the RDI
• Magnesium: 3% of the RDI
• Potassium: 5% of the RDI
• Protein: 1 g
• Thiamine: 4% of the RDI
• Vitamin A: 28% of the RDI
• Vitamin C: 64% of the RDI

*Note that RDI stands for “recommended daily intake”, which are recommendations established by the FDA for the average healthy American.

The Health Benefits of Grapefruit

It is a Low-Calorie Juice 

The average glass of grapefruit juice only has around 96 calories. Compared to other fruit juices, this is impressively low.  Orange juice, for instance, has about 110 calories, pineapple juice checks in at 133 calories, and mango juice at around 128 calories.

Although grapefruit juice has a good amount of fiber, minerals, and nutrients, juicing removes a lot of the fiber, leaving you to need to ingest way more of it to feel satiated. If you are going to juice this, it is essential to shoot for moderation when drinking as there is such a thing as indulging too much.

It is Packed with Nutrients and Vitamins

The Vitamin C content of grapefruit juice is extremely impressive. This is likely because the fruit was originally a combination of orange and pomelo, both of which are pretty high in Vitamin C. 

The Vitamin A content is also relatively high at 28%, making grapefruit juice far superior to orange juice in this regard as orange juice only has only 9.9%.

It Contains Powerful Antioxidants Good For The Immune System

With its high Vitamin C content, grapefruit juice is widely known to be great for boosting the immune system. Vitamin C has been shown to have antioxidant properties that protect cells from damage and from bacteria and viruses. By ensuring that you consume the appropriate amounts of Vitamin C, studies suggest that you will be less likely to suffer from the common cold, inflammation, and infection diseases.

Additionally, grapefruit contains Vitamin C, beta-carotene, lycopene, and flavanones. These various antioxidants are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Take, for example, lycopene, which some studies suggest can protect against certain types of cancer.

Lastly, grapefruit contains a small number of B vitamins, zinc, copper, and iron. These vitamins also contribute to a healthy immune system.

Grapefruit Juice May Help You Lose Weight

First grapefruit juice is low in calories and high in water ( ~88% water). You can, therefore, expect plenty of hydration from a glass of this juice and not a lot of calories. Additionally, grapefruits have a lot of electrolyte minerals like potassium that can help rehydrate your body. Potassium is particularly great for replenishing the electrolytes you may have lost through sweating after a hard workout and it is also great for muscle recovery.

While we are not saying that grapefruit alone will help you lose weight. Sustainable and significant weight loss is only possible if part of a healthy and active lifestyle. Swapping out higher-calorie fruit or juice for lower-calorie ones can be an excellent strategy for reducing calories and supporting a successful weight loss regimen.

It is a Heart Healthy Juice  

Grapefruit is linked to lowering LDL cholesterol levels, thus improving blood flow and reducing the risk of heart disease. This relationship is likely thanks to the fruit’s fiber and potassium levels.

Potassium plays a large part in overall heart health. It helps neutralize the effects of sodium in the body, and there’s 5% of your reccomended daily intake of sodium in half a grapefruit. 

Though studies have shown that it doesn’t decrease blood pressure by a lot, any drop can be good, especially for hypertension people.

What are the Downsides of Grapefruit Juice?

Grapefruit juice has many impressive health benefits, but there are a few ways where it can do more harm than good.

Store-Bought Grapefruit Juices Can Make You Gain Weight

While we have covered how grapefruit juice can help you lose weight, some grapefruit juices are heavily sweetened and contain many more calories than you would find with pure grapefruit juice. It would be beneficial to purchase high-quality juice that is 100% juice with no fillers, to avoid weight gain and excessive sugar intake. You can sweeten with sugar alternatives as this will be quite tart.

It Can Give You HeartBurn 

Grapefruit juice is highly acidic and can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to flow back up the esophagus. You may experience symptoms like burning sensations and chest pains if you drink grapefruit juice excessively.

Grapefruit Juice Can Weaken Tooth Enamel 

Grapefruit juice is so acidic that it can also be fairly harmful to your teeth as it causes the protective enamel of your teeth to erode. To combat this medical professionals recommend employing a combination of these strategies: 

1. Use a straw to protect the teeth while drinking.
2. Rinsing your mouth with water or a baking soda solution after drinking

Healthiest Brands Of Grapefruit Juice?

The best brands of grapefruit juice are those that contain pure juice and no added sugars. Here are a few of our favorites in no particular order:

• ‍Ocean Spray 100% Pink Grapefruit Juice: This drink is 100% juice, but it’s not 100% grapefruit. It is made of three different juices – grapefruit, white grape, and carrot. Also, these juices are from concentrates and have some added sugars. If you are a purist or plan to drink grapefruit juice every day, this is not the brand for you.‍
• Simply Grapefruit (Not from concentrate): This 100% pure grapefruit juice is all-natural and pulp-free. It is for juice drinkers who prefer their beverages pulp-free and smooth. It isn’t very pleasant, but it has a syrupy sweetness that makes it a little more palatable.‍
• Trader Joe’s 100% Florida Grapefruit Juice: This brand claims to be 100% pure. It’s filled with pulp, which may not be as pleasant to taste, but is certainly far more beneficial from a health perspective. This brand is pretty sweet, so be careful on how many glasses you guzzle down per day.‍
• Tropicana Pure Premium: Tropicana is a well-known and reliable brand. It has a grapefruit juice variant that is 100% pure and reasonably healthy. Most fans of this juice are impressed by its flavor and how similar it tastes to the real thing.

Even though there are many great brands, nothing beats 100% freshly squeezed juice straight from the fruit itself. Juice can do more harm than good when it’s store-bought. You can invest in a juicer and try to make your grapefruit juice at home.

Grapefruit juice is reasonably easy to make. As a tip, try to buy grapefruits that are red and pink. These variations mean they have a higher lycopene level and higher antioxidants. That high lycopene content gives the fruit its hued, reddish color. You can also add a touch of your favorite zero-calorie sweetener, and enjoy!

Other FAQs

Still have some unanswered questions about grapefruit juice? Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this drink.

Does Grapefruit Help with Kidney Stones? 

While studies aren’t entirely conclusive, it seems that grapefruits can reduce the risk of kidney stones. Kidney stones develop when waste builds up in the kidneys and become crystallized. There is citric acid in grapefruit juice, which has been shown to help flush out any calcium in the kidneys. 

Does Grapefruit Juice Burn Belly Fat?

Grapefruits have been known as a weight loss fruit and even inspired the grapefruit diet. But there are still conflicting researches on whether grapefruits burn belly fat. A study done in 2006 during 12 weeks saw obese participants lose 5 kilograms. However, a more recent study in 2012 found a different result with healthy people as participants. Healthy people who ate grapefruit as part of a balanced diet did not lose more weight than the overweight participants.

Is it okay to drink grapefruit juice everyday?

If you plan to consume grapefruit juice every day, you should make sure you select this juice in its most natural form that doesn’t contain added sugars. This will help avoid weight gain and blood sugar spikes. Try to limit your intake to 6 ounces a day to ensure you are not drinking too much.

What Is The Best Time To Drink This Juice?

There is no best time to drink this juice, but many advise you to drink it between meals. The rationale is that by turning this your glass of grapefruit juice into a snack makes you less inclined to munch on something else. Drinking grapefruit with the pulp can make you feel full stave out hunger pangs until it is time for the next meal.

Can Grapefruit Juice Improve Sleep? 

Grapefruit juice has the antioxidant lycopene, which can improve sleep. Its anti-inflammatory qualities also work overtime while you’re sleeping to restore your body.

Can you drink too much grapefruit juice?

As with most things, there is always a point where you can have “too much.” With grapefruit juice, it’s probably best to stick to one or two glasses a day. After a couple of drinks, you may begin to experience some adverse side effects such as acid erosion, heartburn, and weight gain.

How Can The Taste Of Grapefruit Juice Be Improved?

Grapefruits and grapefruit juice are pretty sour, and not everyone enjoys the taste. If you want to include grapefruit juice in your routine, but you aren’t sure about the flavor, try diluting it with water or sparkling water for a little added fizz. A zero-calorie sweetener can help sweeten grapefruit juice without adding extra calories.

Can You Drink Grapefruit Juice With Medicine?

‍Grapefruit juice can interact with some medications. It can increase or decrease the effectiveness of the drug you are taking. If you are on any prescription medication, consult your doctor before drinking grapefruit juice.

What Medications Should I Avoid With Grapefruit?

Different people could have varying effects on an interaction between medications and grapefruit juice. Be sure to talk to your doctor before drinking this juice with your medicine. That said, the FDA has released some of the drugs to avoid:

• Medicines that help lower cholesterol: Zocor (simvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin).
• Medications for high blood pressure: Procardia and Adalat CC (both nifedipine).
• Organ-transplant rejection drugs: Sandimmune and Neoral (both cyclosporine).
• Anti-anxiety medicines: Buspirone.
• Corticosteroids for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis: Entocort EC and Uceris (both budesonide).
• Drugs for abnormal heart rhythms: Pacerone and Nexterone (both amiodarone).
• Antihistamines: Allegra (fexofenadine).

Can Grapefruit Help With Arthritis?

Yes! The antioxidants in citrus fruits like grapefruits and orange help joint pain typical with arthritis. The high vitamin C content in grapefruit juice can give you lots of nutrients and help ease pressure on your joints. Before drinking grapefruit juice, consult with your doctor for the possible effects of your medication with the juice.

Final Thoughts

Grapefruit juice is filled with excellent nutrients that give you plenty of health benefits. Its high vitamin C content gives you some nutrients, and because it is loaded with antioxidants, it has anti-inflammatory benefits. Depending on the diet and when used in moderation, this juice can complement weight loss as it is low in calories.

Do you drink grapefruit juice regularly? Let us know your experiences below