Grapefruit Good for Weight, Metabolic Syndrome

LA JOLLA, Calif.Consumption of grapefruit may help obese individuals lose weight and control blood sugar, according to a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food (9, 1:49-54, 2006). Researchers from Scripps Clinic and Pennington Biomedical Research Center randomly assigned 91 obese patients to receive either placebo capsules plus 7 oz. (207 mL) of apple juice, grapefruit capsules plus 7 oz. (207 mL) of apple juice, 8 oz. (237 mL) of grapefruit juice plus placebo capsules, or half of a fresh grapefruit plus placebo capsules three times daily before each meal, for 12 weeks.
Half of a fresh grapefruit eaten before meals was associated with significant weight loss compared to placebo; the fresh fruit group lost 1.6 kg after 12 weeks, while the placebo group lost 0.3 kg. Further, the grapefruit juice group lost 1.5 kg, and the grapefruit capsule group lost 1.1 kg, and a secondary analysis of individuals with the metabolic syndrome in the four treatment groups demonstrated a significantly greater weight loss in the grapefruit, grapefruit capsule and grapefruit juice groups compared with placebo. There was also a significant reduction in postprandial insulin levels after two hours, and insulin resistance was improved compared with placebo in those who consumed fresh grapefruit. The researchers concluded although the mechanism behind grapefruit-induced weight loss is unknown, it would appear reasonable to include grapefruit in a weight-reduction diet.