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Can Grapefruit Lower Blood Pressure

Tomatoes And Tomato Products

How To Use Grapefruit To Lower Blood Pressure And Insulin Level.

Tomatoes and tomato products are rich in many nutrients, including potassium and the carotenoid pigment lycopene.

Lycopene has been significantly associated with beneficial effects on heart health, and eating foods high in this nutrient, such as tomato products, may help reduce heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure .

A review of 21 studies concluded that consuming tomato and tomato products improves blood pressure and may help reduce your risk of heart disease and heart-disease-related death 30010-2/fulltext” rel=”nofollow”> 26).

Why Grapefruit Is Good For Cholesterol

Grapefruit has more pith and membranes than most citrus fruit. These are rich in pectin, a soluble fibre that reduces cholesterol absorption. The high level of bitter naringenin present also has cholesterol-lowering properties.

Drinking grapefruit juice can lower your circulating LDL-cholesterol as much as taking a plant sterol supplement or using sterol-fortified spreads. Red grapefruit juice has the most powerful effect, and can lower bad LDL-cholesterol by as much as 15% compared with around 7% for juice from blond grapefruit.

How Much Sugar Is In 100g Of Grapefruit

Half of a medium-sized grapefruit contains about 8 grams of sugar, which is about almost the same amount found in one small apple or orange. A large grapefruit can have up to 17 grams of sugar.

The sugar content of grapefruit juice varies depending on the type of grapefruit you’re eating. For instance, pink or red grapefruits have less sugar than white ones do. One cup of 100% pink or red grapefruit juice contains around 8 grams of sugar while one cup of 100% white has around 17 grams which is over 2 times as much.

Half of one grapefruit is considered as one serving and contains:

  • Calories: 52

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Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

Ameer, B., Weintraub, R. A., Johnson, J. V., Yost, R. A., and Rouseff, R. L. Flavanone absorption after naringin, hesperidin, and citrus administration. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1996 60:34-40. View abstract.

Armanini, D., Calo, L., and Semplicini, A. Pseudohyperaldosteronism: pathogenetic mechanisms. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2003 40:295-335. View abstract.

Baekey, P. A., Cerda, J. J., Burgin, C. W., Robbins, F. L., Rice, R. W., and Baumgartner, T. G. Grapefruit pectin inhibits hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in miniature swine. Clin Cardiol 1988 11:597-600. View abstract.

Bailey, D. G., Dresser, G. K., Kreeft, J. H., Munoz, C., Freeman, D. J., and Bend, J. R. Grapefruit-felodipine interaction: effect of unprocessed fruit and probable active ingredients. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2000 68:468-477. View abstract.

Cerda, J. J., Normann, S. J., Sullivan, M. P., Burgin, C. W., Robbins, F. L., Vathada, S., and Leelachaikul, P. Inhibition of atherosclerosis by dietary pectin in microswine with sustained hypercholesterolemia. Circulation 1994 89:1247-1253. View abstract.

Curhan, G. C., Willett, W. C., Rimm, E. B., Spiegelman, D., and Stampfer, M. J. Prospective study of beverage use and the risk of kidney stones. Am J Epidemiol. 2-1-1996 143:240-247. View abstract.

Ferdman, R. M., Ong, P. Y., and Church, J. A. Pectin anaphylaxis and possible association with cashew allergy. Ann.Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2006 97:759-760. View abstract.

A Case Study Of Grapefruit & Nifedipine:

Does Drinking Grapefruit Juice Lower Blood Pressure ...

A study published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Hypertension reports a very similar situation to yours:

The authors explain their protocol & results:

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ingestion of grapefruit juice or grapefruit on the hypotensive effect and plasma concentration of dihydropyridine calcium antagonists, i.e., amlodipine and nifedipine. A 50-year-old man with essential hypertension was studied. Grapefruit juice was taken together with the antihypertensive drug, while one grapefruit was taken before drug ingestion

At 11:00 on day 2, 3 hours after drinking grapefruit juice, the subject felt mild dizziness. The blood pressure was 116/70 mmHg and was markedly lower than the values of 152/92 mmHg on the control day

In the present study, a single intake of grapefruit juice increased the plasma concentration of nifedipine and also decreased blood pressures 3 hours after intake of grapefruit juice

we conclude that ingestion of a relatively large amount of grapefruit juice may cause a decrease in blood pressure in patients who are treated by nifedipine.

We found it quite fascinating that in this case study the patients blood pressure went from 152/92 to 116/70 after consuming grapefruit juice. You reported that your blood pressure went from the 150/90 range to 118/67 in a somewhat similar self-imposed experiment. Although one can never generalize from such a coincidence, the numbers are surprisingly close.

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Will Grapefruit Lower Blood Pressure

You shouldnt count on grapefruit as a substitute for your medication. Although you have seen how grapefruit increases the effectiveness of your nifedipine, side effects could be more common. Please discuss your grapefruit tactic with your doctor.

Learn more about grapefruit interactions with many other drugs by downloading our FREE Guide to Grapefruit Interactionsat this link.

What Is The Dash Diet

Of course, heart-healthy eating isnt just about avoiding these five foodsor any others. For better blood pressure control, its important to think about your eating habits as a whole.

One of the best overall diets for bringing blood pressure down is called the DASH diet . It contains less sodium, added sugar and saturated fat than the typical American diet. And its high in nutrients and fiber.

To start doing things the DASH way, try to:

  • Build your diet around fruits, veggies and whole grains.
  • Switch to low-fat or fat-free dairy products.
  • Choose lean proteinssuch as fish, poultry and beansand limit red meats.
  • Opt for healthy fats, such as olive or canola oil.
  • Enjoy unsalted nuts, seeds and legumes.
  • Check food labels for saturated fat, trans fats, sodium and sugarand choose the foods with the lowest amounts.

Your doctor can tell you if the DASH diet is right for youand give you tips on other heart-healthy ways to control your blood pressure.

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Even The Pith Is Good For You

When you peel away the outer layer of a grapefruit, you may be tempted to pick off the white flesh that is between you and the juicy fruit, and throw it away. This stuff is called pith. Don’t do it.

“That is very rich in antioxidants and nutrients and also soluble fiber which is going to help you feel fuller and impact your glucose reactions,” says Delbridge.

While the pith of grapefruit can have more of a bitter taste than say, oranges, it’s worth eating along with the fruit . Fiber is a good thing, and can help lower blood sugar, cholesterol, and possibly even colon cancer risk.

Grapefruit Can Lower Blood Pressure

7 fruits that LOWER blood pressure (HYPERTENSION)

“Grapefruit has got some data that it decreases systolic blood pressure, not by a lotit’s usually about five pointsbut there’s definitely good data,” says Chiasson. And for the 70 million Americans who have hypertension, any drop in blood pressure is a good drop.

The effect on blood pressure may be due to grapefruit’s high potassium levels. Potassium neutralizes the negative effects of sodium.

But again, don’t eat grapefruit if you are already taking a blood-pressure lowering drug. Certain ones, such as Procardia and Adalat CC , can be dangerous when combined with grapefruit, according to the FDA.

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Grapefruit May Help Control Blood Sugar

Grapefruit also has a low glycemic index , around 25, which means it doesn’t raise blood sugar as quickly or as much as high-GI foods like white bagel or even a banana or watermelon .

A 2006 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, found that people who ate grapefruit before a meal had a lower spike in insulin two hours later than those taking a placebo, and fresh grapefruit was associated with less insulin resistance. All 91 patients in the 12-week study were obese, but they did not necessarily have type 2 diabetes.

While the results are promising in those without diabetes, blood-sugar reactions to food can vary widely, so if you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, test your blood sugar after eating grapefruit to make sure it can be part of your healthy eating plan.

Grapefruit May Even Help Prevent Cancer

A large study conducted in Japan found that people who ate citrus throughout the week had a lower risk of developing cancer, especially prostate and pancreatic, compared with the total group of participants.

The effect was amplified among those who also drank a lot green tea.

The authors speculate that compounds in citrus fruits reduce inflammation and stop cancer cells from multiplying. They may also help repair damaged DNA, which contributes to the development of tumors.

The fiber in grapefruit may also help prevent colorectal cancer while fruits high in vitamin C and beta-carotene, which is in pink and red grapefruit, may lower the risk of esophageal cancer.

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Other Fruits That Have Similar Side Effects

Furanocoumarins, the compound in grapefruit thats responsible for drug reactions, is also present in few other fruits belonging to the citrus family. If you have been asked to avoid grapefruit, its best to also avoid seville oranges , tangelos , limes, and pomelos.18

Grapefruits are a great food to add to your diet. They are rich in vitamin A and C, potassium, and a host of other beneficial compounds like lycopene and naringin .1920 As long as youre careful about not mixing them with certain types of medications, you dont really have to worry about the side effects.

References

Chew The Foods Properly And For Longer Time

Grapefruit

Because the nitrate foods you chew gets mixed up with the saliva before making its way down to your stomach for further digestion, it only makes sense to ensure you chew thoroughly so that the surface area for proper digestion is increased. When you chew food slowly and properly, food is better digested.

Remember, the end goal of consuming nitrate foods is to get the needed nitric oxide so we can get our blood pressure lowered and controlled. So, when we chew our foods properly, theres a higher chance our saliva mixes properly with the food and its digested to nitrites which makes peeps it for further conversion to nitric oxide in the stomach.

So, the longer our food stays in our mouth during chewing, the greater the chance to get more nitric oxide from the nitrate food, and hence, we can get our blood pressure reduced.

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Find Out If You Should Avoid Grapefruit Or Other Juices

  • Ask your doctor or pharmacist if grapefruit juice interacts with your medication.
  • Read the medication guide or patient information sheet that comes with your prescription drug to find out if grapefruit juice affects your drug.
  • Read the Drug Facts label on your OTC drug, which will say whether you shouldnt have grapefruit or other fruit juices with it.
  • If you must avoid grapefruit juice with your medicine, check the labels of fruit juices or drinks flavored with fruit juice to see whether they are made with grapefruit juice.
  • Seville oranges , pomelos, and tangelos might have the same effect as grapefruit juice. Do not eat those fruits if your medicine interacts with grapefruit juice.

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What Type Of Food Can Lower High Blood Pressure

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What Should I Do If My Blood Pressure Is 160 Over 100

7 Ways To Lower High Blood Pressure For Anxiety Sufferers!

Your doctor If your blood pressure is higher than 160/100 mmHg, then three visits are enough. If your blood pressure is higher than 140/90 mmHg, then five visits are needed before a diagnosis can be made. If either your systolic or diastolic blood pressure stays high, then the diagnosis of hypertension can be made.

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Grapefruit And Channel Blockers

Calcium causes the heart and arteries to contract with more power, but blocking it allows blood vessels to relax and widen, reducing blood pressure levels. That’s where calcium channel blockers come in. These drugs prevent calcium from entering the cells of your heart and arteries, according to the Mayo Clinic.

These drugs are also used to treat certain kinds of irregular heartbeats and crushing chest pain known as angina. Examples of calcium channel blockers include amlodipine , diltiazem , felodipine , isradipine, nicardipine , nifedipine , nisoldipine and verapamil .

However, the problem with grapefruit and grapefruit juice is that they can increase the amount of calcium channel blockers in your bloodstream, which in turn raises your risk for side effects, explains NYU Langone cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, MD, medical director of the Joan H. Tisch Center for Women’s Health in New York City.

In essence, she says, “grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the effectiveness of calcium channel blockers, which is dangerous because your blood pressure may go too low.”

The Mayo Clinic adds that grapefruit juice can interact with calcium channel blockers and affect your heart rate and blood pressure, causing symptoms such as headaches and dizziness.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can also have the opposite effect on some drugs and decrease their effectiveness, the FDA adds.

Read more:The Effects of Eating Too Much Grapefruit

What About Safety And Cbd Drug Interactions

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, CBD is possibly safe when taken as directed by mouth or sprayed under the tongue up to a dose of 300 milligrams per day over 6 months. Higher doses, up to 1500 mg per day have been taken safely for up to four weeks.

The most common side effects of CBD are drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, irritability, agitation, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. In rare cases, CBD may cause liver damage. CBD is not considered safe during pregnancy or breast feeding. If you have liver disease, ask your doctor if CBD is safe. Same thing if you have Parkinsons disease, CBD may increase PD tremors.

Medications that are broken down in the liver may be affected by CBD. The enzyme in the liver that breaks down medications is called Cytochrome P450 , and CBD may slow down the process.

CBD is a known inhibitor of CYP450 enzymes. Researchers estimated that approximately 60 percent of clinically prescribed drugs are metabolized by CYP450 enzymes. This means that CBD can block or delay the metabolization of many prescription drugs, says Peki.

Another common inhibitor of CYP450 is grapefruit juice. It can have the same effects as CBD, thats why you get a grapefruit juice warning on many drugs. Here is a partial list of drugs that are broken down in the liver by CYP450. Any of these drugs could have stronger or longer effects and more side effects if taken along with CBD:

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Could Increase Probability Of Kidney Stones

The debate is still on about whether grapefruit can cause kidney stones or help reduce the risk. Kidney stones are formed when dissolved minerals form crystals along the inner lining of the kidneys. These crystals are usually made up of calcium oxalate but may also contain other compound deposits.

A 6-year study done on men between the age of 40 and 75 years found that having 8 ounces of grapefruit juice every day increased the risk of kidney stones by about 37%.13 However, a short-term study found that having grapefruit juice regularly helped in flushing out citrates, calcium, and magnesium, thus reducing the risk of stone formation.14

Considering both studies, if you have a history of kidney stones or medical conditions which increase the risk of stone formation, its best to have grapefruit in moderation and not make it a part of your daily diet. Medical conditions that increase the probability of kidney stones include15:

  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Gout

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