Pink grapefruit juice supplies 1087 I.U. of vitamin A, while the white provides a minimal 25 I.U.

With the exception of vitamin B12, the juice swells with B vitamins with 10 mg of thiamin, .05 mg of riboflavin, and .49 to .57 mg of niacin. Folic acid content is about 25.7 mcg, while vitamin C ranges from 72 to 93.9 mg.

Juice a grapefruit or eat a fresh grapefruit for energy! They're full of thiamin, which helps convert food into energy you need. Eating a grapefruit daily can help metabolize the food you eat into energy your body can use. Niacin also is used for DNA repair.

Calcium content varies from 17.2 to 22.3 mg, and potassium offers 378 to 400 mg. Iron and zinc are present with zinc providing 12 to 22 mg and iron at .05 mg.

Grapefruit Juice May Boost Bone Health

A new study is underway to see if drinking fresh squeezed grapefruit juice every day can help prevent osteoporosis. Scientists are optimistic because a recent study in the journal "Nutrition" found that rats fed grapefruit pulp had greater bone density and a slower rate of bone loss than those wthat weren't. The high antioxidant level in the fruit may be the key, although no one knows for sure.

But chemicals in grapefruit juice and grapefruit pulp interfere with the enzymes that break down (metabolize) various drugs in the digestive system - including certain calcium channel blockers and cholesterol-lowering drugs. There is an enzyme in the wall of the intestine called P-450 that breaks down some medications. The result can be excessively high levels of these drugs in the blood and an increased risk of potentially serious side effects. (Source: Mayo Clinic)

Here's a sampling of drugs that could have potentially serious interactions with grapefruit:

• Amiodarone (Cordarone) - A drug used to treat and prevent abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
• Buspirone (BuSpar), sertraline (Zoloft) - Antidepressants
• Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol) - An anti-seizure medication
• Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), tacrolimus (Prograf) - Immunosuppressant drugs
• Felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Procardia), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular) - Calcium channel blockers used to treat high blood pressure
• Saquinavir An HIV medication
• Simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor), atorvastatin (Lipitor) - Statins used to treat high cholesterol

What Can Happen?

When grapefruit juice inhibits this enzyme, the drug becomes more powerful than intended. This is especially important for patients taking a calcium channel blocker for high blood pressure. Some have complained of weakness, and dizziness, presumably due to an excessive drop in pressure.

You should also avoid taking antihistamines with grapefruit juice. You may end up oversedated and develop a heart-rhythm disturbance. Statins, the cholesterol-lowering drugs, become 15 times more potent! The effect can vary, depending on the drug. To be safe, do not take any medications with grapefruit juice.

See also:  Grapefruit Food Facts, Grapefruit Fact Sheet, Fab Foods: Grapefruit

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See also:
Sparkling Grapefruit Pie Healthy Recipe
Grapefruit Fizz
Grapefruit-Shrimp Stir Fry Healthy Recipe
Grapefruit Poppy Seed Dressing
Grapefruit Salsa Recipe

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