Ever wondered why eating grapefruits for breakfast was such a big thing a few years back? Wonder no more. There are a couple of sound reasons why grapefruit may aid weight loss…>Read on
In addition to it being high in fibre and having low glycaemic load (this makes it a very filling citrus) a few scientific studies suggest a more complex correlation with weight loss.
The main scientific study upon which weight loss claims are based was conducted in Scripps clinic in San Diego in 2006 by Dr Ken Fujioka. It demonstrated that when obese individuals were given a grapefruit or a grapefruit juice 3 times a day for 12 weeks they lost considerably more weight compared to a placebo group. Fresh grapefruit was more effective than the juice (1.6 kg vs 1.5kg weight loss). As a reference the placebo demonstrated a 0.3kg weight loss. In addition, 2 hour post-glucose insulin levels and insulin resistance parameters were improved in the group consuming half a fresh grapefruit (Fujioka 2006). Another study demonstrated that pre-loading a breakfast with grapefruit or grapefruit juice has been shown to impact positively on blood lipids in calorie restricted diets (Silver 2011). This has been confirmed by yet another study showing that adding fresh “red grapefruit positively influences serum lipid levels of all fractions, especially serum triglycerides and also serum antioxidant activity.” (Gorinstein 2006)
As in other fields any advice coming from nutritional science must be backed by scientific research; rigorously designed research must be conducted.
Rarely does such research yield anything conclusive with further studies being the usual recommendation. The above information must be weighed against the body of work. To my knowledge the effect of consuming grapefruit on weight loss has not been investigated further since the 2006 study. That study was based on a small sample of 91 obese individuals – hardly representative of general population. You could argue that it is not a good idea to give a recommendation on the bases of such a small study. However I see nothing wrong with encouraging a higher intake of grapefruit on the bases of high fibre and low GL values alone. Eating more grapefruit will add more vitamins and minerals to your diet and with the influence of the above factors may prove to be the missing link in your successful fat loss transformation.
Include grapefruit as part of your daily food regime.
With Healthy Wishes,
Dmitri Tkatchev
Read on:
Introduction to the 31 Day Fitness Kickstart
Day 1 – Water
Day 2 – Protein at breakfast
Day 3 – Meal frequency
Day 4 – Sugar
Day 5 – Lifestyle
Day 6 – Carbohydrates
Day 7 – Sleep
Day 8 – Start easy with Cardio – frequency not the quantity.
Day 9 – Get clever with your fats!
Day 10 – Find or become a role model
Day 11 – Coffee
Day 12 – Exercise improves your appetite response.
Day 13 – Consistency over intensity
Day 14 – Add cinnamon to your diet
Day 15 – Energising morning fix
Day 16 – Active rest
Day 17 – Holistic fitness.
Day 18 – Minimise muscle loss.
Day 19 – Don’t forget steady paced cardio
Day 20 – Eat plenty of fibre
Day 21 – Take up a physically demanding hobby.
Day 22 – Hire a qualified and an experienced Personal Trainer
Day 23 – Eat Cake
Day 24 – Don’t forget that the feeling of hunger is the best cue for when to eat
Day 25 – Tune in to your training
Day 26 – Sort out the calorie density of your meals.
Day 28 – Eat within an hour after your workout!
Day 29 – Stay in the low range of Glycaemic Index and Glycaemic Load
Day 30 – Cycle crunches.
Day 31 – Learn to listen to your body