Revisiting the Grapefruit Diet in 2023: What Does the Science Say?
The grapefruit diet became famous after Hollywood actresses claimed they followed it to stay slim. While the version they followed was unsafe because of severe diet restrictions, that does not mean that grapefruits shouldn’t be included in a complete and healthy diet.
Over the years, studies have been done to find if there really is a special relationship between eating grapefruit and weight loss. One study conducted by Ken Fujioka and other researchers suggests that there may indeed be a link.
If you’ve been wondering “Can grapefruit help with weight loss?” then the team at Winter Sweetz is here to help answer that question.
How the Study Was Conducted
The study involved 91 obese patients who were tracked over the course of 12 weeks. At the start of the study, metabolic syndrome parameters were checked and compared to the final results.
Subjects were randomly assigned to four groups with each given a specific amount of grapefruit product and a placebo.
The Results
The results showed that on average each group saw weight loss, though, to different degrees. Additionally, insulin levels were analyzed to understand how it changed two hours after consuming glucose.
While most participants were close to the average weight loss, there were a few instances where the subjects lost over 10 pounds. Below we cover the breakdown of each group.
1. The Control Group
The control group was given seven ounces of apple juice and a placebo capsule. Members of this group lost an average of 0.3 kg or 0.661 pounds.
2. The Grapefruit Capsule Group
The next group was given a grapefruit capsule and seven ounces of apple juice before each meal. They lost an average of 1.1 kg (2.4 lbs) by the end of the study.
3. The Grapefruit Juice Group
The next group drank eight ounces of grapefruit juice and a placebo capsule before meals. They lost 1.5 kg or 3.3 pounds after 12 weeks.
4. The Fresh Grapefruit Group
The final group had half a grapefruit and a placebo capsule before each meal. This group had the most significant weight loss at 1.6 kg or 3.5 pounds. Insulin resistance also improved in this group compared to the beginning of the study.
What Does the Study Mean?
The fresh grapefruit group lost more than the apple juice and placebo group by a statistically significant degree while the groups that consumed other grapefruit products showed smaller but notable benefits.
Perhaps most interesting was how insulin resistance was affected throughout the study. As insulin is linked to how our bodies metabolize fat, smaller insulin spikes after a meal can help your body burn more fat, which can be healthily driven by consuming fruits before a meal.
While the results were impressive, there still needs to be more studies to prove the complete benefits of consuming grapefruits in your diet and to discover the exact mechanisms that make grapefruits so special.
Eat Healthy & Lose More Weight
Grapefruits can be a great addition to a healthy diet that includes a variety of proteins, vegetables, and fruits. Of course, you’ll want to speak directly with your primary physician before making any major diet changes.
If you’re looking to include more grapefruits in your diet, the Texas red grapefruits from Winter Sweetz are unbelievably delicious and can help contribute to healthy weight loss.
If you want the sweetest grapefruit you’ve ever had, look for these one-of-a-kind gems in your local grocery store between November and March. Don’t miss out on your chance to change your opinion on grapefruit.