According to new research from the Hebrew University�s Hadassah Medical School, eating a red grapefruit a day can help fight heart disease.
In the first study of its kind, researchers examined the effects of the daily consumption of grapefruit on cholesterol levels, a risk factor for heart disease.
Study participants consisted of 57 men and women who had recently undergone coronary bypass surgery and whose high lipid levels failed to respond significantly to statin drugs.
Participants were divided into three groups, one group received a daily serving of red grapefruit, one received a daily serving of white grapefruit and the third group did not consume any grapefruit at all. All groups consumed regular, balanced meals for thirty days during the study period.
Researchers found that the participants who had consumed either red or white grapefruit experienced a decrease in blood lipid levels. Red grapefruit was found to be more effective in lowering cholesterol levels than the white variety. Participants who did not consume grapefruit did not experience any change in blood lipid levels.
Researchers believe antioxidants are responsible for the decrease in cholesterol levels, explaining the reason red grapefruit was more effective in lowering cholesterol than white, since it contains more antioxidants. Additional studies are planned to further investigate these findings.
In the first study of its kind, researchers examined the effects of the daily consumption of grapefruit on cholesterol levels, a risk factor for heart disease.
Study participants consisted of 57 men and women who had recently undergone coronary bypass surgery and whose high lipid levels failed to respond significantly to statin drugs.
Participants were divided into three groups, one group received a daily serving of red grapefruit, one received a daily serving of white grapefruit and the third group did not consume any grapefruit at all. All groups consumed regular, balanced meals for thirty days during the study period.
Researchers found that the participants who had consumed either red or white grapefruit experienced a decrease in blood lipid levels. Red grapefruit was found to be more effective in lowering cholesterol levels than the white variety. Participants who did not consume grapefruit did not experience any change in blood lipid levels.
Researchers believe antioxidants are responsible for the decrease in cholesterol levels, explaining the reason red grapefruit was more effective in lowering cholesterol than white, since it contains more antioxidants. Additional studies are planned to further investigate these findings.
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