What is the grapefruit diet and can it lose weight?

Like clothing and hairstyle trends, fashionable diets come and go, just return in new changes a few years later. The grapefruit diet is perhaps one of the most famous diets that somehow returns to the mainstream.

Maybe you’re watching your mom or grandmother devotionally eat grapefruit with one of the tablespoons before each meal to lose weight. Or maybe you have a friend who drinks a glass of grapefruit juice every morning.

Although science has not proven that the grapefruit diet is effective, people continue to rely on this slightly sour citrus as a weight loss strategy.

What is the grapefruit diet?

Grapefruit diet appears in some form The 1930s And recognize that you only eat half of the grapefruit before each meal. Other changes in the grapefruit diet will also allow you to drink grapefruit juice instead of (or besides) eating the fruit itself. Then more restrictive changes require you to do this and Add 800 calories per day while reducing most carbohydrates.

Why grapefruit? Proponents believe that its enzymes can help you burn fat and magically help you lose weight. Some people (on an always reliable internet) even claim that it can help you lose 10 pounds in less than two weeks.

What do you eat on your grapefruit diet?

As long as you eat half of the grapefruit in advance, you can eat almost everything on your grapefruit diet. As far as diet is concerned, this is very easy to follow whether it works or not!

But, if you insist Low carb version In this diet, you need to eat grapefruit and Cut off carbohydrate For example:

• sugar
• rice
• pasta
• potato
• bread

However, there are no super specific guidelines when it comes to this part of the diet.

Can a grapefruit diet help you lose weight?

So far, researchers have found no specific evidence that a grapefruit diet can help you lose weight. Most of the results are relevant.

In a study Louisiana State University researchersobese adults are given half fresh grapefruit, eight ounces of grapefruit juice, grapefruit capsules or placebo. The group that consumed half grapefruit before each meal or drank eight ounces of grapefruit juice lost about 3.5 pounds in 12 weeks. The capsule group lost only 2.4 pounds, and there was little change in the placebo group.

Although the grapefruit population saw some promising results, the researchers eventually concluded that “the mechanism of this weight loss is not yet clear.”

Another study by British researchers Compare grapefruit, grapefruit juice or water 12 weeks before meals. All three pre-meal options helped study participants lose weight, and there was no significant difference in these three regimens, meaning citrus was comparable to water.

To confirm these results, Journal research metabolism It was concluded that eating half of grapefruit before each meal did not result in weight loss compared to placebo.

The only study found Direct The link between eating grapefruit juice or extract and weight loss already exists mouse. Unfortunately (in this particular case), humans are not rodents.

Why do people think grapefruit helps lose weight?

Denis Faye said: “Grapefruit is a big deal.

In fact, you can replace grapefruit with other foods and see similar results. “It’s like there’s one salad Or vegetables Soup Before meals. “The nutrition consultant said Keri GansRDN, author of “Small Changes in Diet”. All are low-energy foods that can fill you up before the main course.

“But I don’t buy grapefruits that have special substances (which can help you burn fat),” Faye said.

Disadvantages of the Grapefruit Diet

“I believe in diversity, not eating the same thing over and over again,” Faye said. “There are healthy, low-calorie foods for you to eat less.” yes Weight loss strategies, but you still have to make informed choices. If you eat grapefruit and go for fast food, you won’t miraculously lose weight. ”

People taking statins or blood pressure drugs (such as calcium channel blockers) should also avoid the grapefruit diet, as these drugs can have Negative interaction with grapefruit.

Health Benefits of Grapefruit

In addition to losing weight, grapefruit does have some health benefits. Half grapefruit Mainly water, it contains 37 calories and 1.4 grams of fiber. It also offers 45 mg Vitamin C (half Recommended daily value For men, 60% for women), this helps support A healthy immune system.

takeout

While grapefruit is certainly part of a balanced diet, don’t think that just eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice will burn belly fat and be slim. efficient Lose weight and lose weightyou need to stick to the tried and true eating habits of regular exercise – including grapefruit.