Grapefruit Diet

Ever consider doing the grapefruit diet? Who wouldn’t try a diet that promises a 10-pound weight loss in 12 days? Indeed, a few decades ago it seemed everyone was trying it. Years later, the grapefruit diet has made a comeback with many versions circulating the landscape of the dieting world today.

The Theory

In the 1970’s, the grapefruit diet ignited a whole new idea about weight loss. Although nobody has claimed its purported fame, the diet allegedly works due to an enzyme inherent to the fruit that acts as a “fat-burner”. Likewise, this enzyme is found only in grapefruit, which is most likely, the only truth to the diet.

How the Grapefruit Diet Works

The original plan instructs consuming half of a grapefruit or 4 ounces of grapefruit juice with each meal. Meals are not to be skipped and a bedtime snack is allowed. For the most part, suggested meal plans include meats, vegetables and eggs with a total of approximately 800 calories per day. No exercise is required.

The newest version, also known as The Grapefruit Solution (2004), strongly recommends an intensive exercise regime in conjunction with the grapefruit dosage at each meal. Grapefruit capsules are available for those who cringe at the thought of eating grapefruit or its juice. This latest adaptation of the diet also advises healthy, balanced, reduced-calorie meal plans. Dieters also have the option to follow any one of the popular fad diets such as Atkins or South Beach.

Why It Works

The grapefruit diet, like most weight loss plans, limits food choices and total calories consumed each day. As a result, weight loss is likely to occur. By itself, eating grapefruit at each meal is not the magic behind a slimmer waistline. Research has not shown the grapefruit enzyme to hold any fat-burning properties to cause weight reduction.

Some studies have shown a reduction of insulin levels with the consumption of grapefruit. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels and fat metabolism on the cellular level. Hence, a small amount of truth to grapefruit's ability to promote weight loss continues to be under investigation among researchers.

Safety

Grapefruit is a powerhouse when it comes to packing in vitamin C and beta-carotene. Both of these components have been proven to fight diseases, mainly cancer, by acting as antioxidants. Hence, grapefruit consumption is not a harmful act and may prevent major health conditions.

The restrictive calorie regime attests to its unhealthiness. Any eating plan promoting less than 1200 calories is not safe or healthy. Additionally, the 1200 calories need to be acquired from all the food groups to ensure adequate functioning of the body’s systems.

Major Health Hazard

Grapefruit has been shown to interfere with certain medication absorption in the intestines. The fruit contains a compound that blocks the enzyme responsible for the natural breakdown and absorption of many prescription medications. The result is a potentially toxic level of the medication in the blood system that can lead to serious side effects. For this reason, it is critical to talk with your primary care physician before embarking on any diet.