Grapefruits - A rich source of antioxidants

The American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry published an interesting study carried out by a team of researchers from the Hebrew University School of Pharmacy. Conducted on patients with heart disease, the 30-day study found that those who were given the equivalent of one grapefruit a day significantly reduced their cholesterol level in comparison to those who did not eat grapefruit at all. Since chronic high blood cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, the study suggests that consuming one grapefruit a day could help keep heart disease at bay.

The researchers went further by comparing the cholesterol level of patients who were fed red grapefruit versus those who ate white grapefruit. Surprisingly, patients who ate the red fruit tested lower for cholesterol. Thus, red grapefruit appears to be more effective at reducing cholesterol in the blood.

Grapefruit in general is rich in the antioxidant vitamin C as well as fiber. However, what that gives red grapefruit its pulp color is another powerful antioxidant called lycopene. Both these antioxidants probably help the body more effectively at fighting the oxidative process that is responsible for hardening cholesterol that eventually choke the blood vessels.

But before you hit the grocery store to snap up grapefruits, take note that the fruit is known to react with certain medications; sometimes the reaction can be quite adverse. Therefore, anyone who is on medication should consult with their doctor or pharmacist to determine whether their medicine will react with grapefruit products. Once again, grapefruit or drugs, no matter how effective each could be in lowering cholesterol, cannot replace the perennial benefits of a regular exercise regime combined with a well-balanced low-fat diet.