Can grapefruit juice help you lose weight and burn fat?

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 What is the deal with grapefruit juice? Lately, I have been hearing a lot of people talking about drinking grapefruit juice and how it helps you burn fat.

What are the benefits of grapefruit juice and what fruits or fruit juices go well to mask the tartness of grapefruit? – Mel



It sounds like the Grapefruit Diet from the 1970’s is making a comeback.  Grapefruit is a lower sugar fruit that is high in fiber, contains beneficial antioxidants and phytochemicals. It is also filling and blunts your appetite, and it is shown to have positive effects in weight loss, cancer-prevention and immunity.  The white pith—that white layer that you see covering the sections of a grapefruit after removing the peel—is chock full of nutrients, so eating the whole fruit is preferable vs. only consuming the juice.   As for the tartness and taste; try cutting the fruit in half with a sprinkle of Stevia paired with berries. – Debbie J., MS, RD




  1. Victor Atchison

    If you are a diabetic some of the medication you take restricts you from eating grapefruit or the juice so make sure you read your labels.

    • Thanks for noting the importance of checking your medications to be sure there aren’t any drug-nutrient interactions! It’s always best to check with your doctor or pharmacist for clarification if you don’t know for sure.

  2. I tend to drink a lot of orange juice and I do think it helps me with my appetite. Why would grapefruit be better than orange juice ?

    • Debbie J., MS, RD

      Small volumes of fruit juice have been used to pique the appetite of cancer patients, so you’re lucky OJ helps manage yours!

      Unsweetened grapefruit juice has less sugar than orange juice of the same volume. You could always dilute the OJ. Both have great benefits like high potassium (associated with lower blood pressure) and Vitamin C, an antioxidant.

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