Grapefruit as villain. What a turn-up!
The evidence is strong–grapefruit juice may cause some prescribed drugs to malfunction– in some cases with life threatening effect.
This beautiful oversized “orange”–colored like a lemon.
So sweet–and comes with white or pink interiors.
My parents had half a one each for breakfast, carefully separated into segments with a serrated knife.
The serrated knife with the annoying curve at the end–annoying if you wanted to use it for any other purpose–but satisfying if you hit the joins just right and made a good job of segment separation.
These ’50’s grapefruit put me off! They were white and sour! Sugar required.
A long gap to the haven/heaven of pink grapefruit.
It makes a sweet and comforting wake-up drink.
For years we’d squeeze the juice–half a fruit each–into mugs in the morning and fill up with boiling water.
But a trip to Florida opened my eyes to the authentic grapefruit experience.
We were in Orlando at Meredith’s parents home.
At the front of the house there were two grapefruit trees–one with white fruit, one pink.
The grapefruit hung from them like enormous coloured canonballs–how could the trees support the weight?!
I was doubtful of the white fruit until I cut one in half and squeezed a little juice into a glass and sipped.
My mouth is watering now with the memory.
That’s how it will have to stay–a glorious memory.
This benign giant of a fruit is no longer benign for some like me who take a daily dose of drugs–hard to accept!
A slice of lemon in hot water with have to suffice.
Robin Ellis 
do you have a link to a reputable source about the grapefruit/drugs interaction? would be good to post that too
The link–on this is sad, is to the “Well” section of The New York Times
thanks…i hadn’t realized that the three key words were linked… susan
I have one link, this link Discuss Grapefruit Juice Benefits For Your Health:
http://www.getall.us/2012/12/grapefruit-juice-benefits.html
Hope Useful for Your Reference …
Here, you get a warning on your prescription bottle that tells you that you cannot eat grapefruit. Cholesteral-lowering medicines especially, are dangerous. I was glad when I was able to stop taking them so that I could go back to eating grapefruit.
Grapefruit should also be avoided by breast cancer patients.
Thanks for reminding me Mr. Ellis! I too take a few drugs for diabetes, and although in most cases I despise grapefruit, it’s worth keeping in mind that not all fruits and veggies are included in an effective diabetic diet! Michael
Dear Robin, I know the feeling.Yes indeed grapefruit is sadly dangerous for some people who take (like me) a heartpill for the bloodpresure(I have no cholestral).I used to like grapefruit so much a severe punishment for me.
I haven’t been able to eat grapefruit for years…statins react with them. Also warfarin, I believe…sad, because there’s nothing like that bitter/sweet tang. Oh well! Good that you’re raising awareness, yet again!
Oh Robin how sad that is morning refresher is off limits,The beast strike’s again I too can remember dad when home on leave tucking into this delight,mum never liked them. Thank you for making us aware of the dangers
Sadly I havn’t had pink grapfruit in a few years because of this!
DRAT!
I am heartbroken, it is my staple every day and now I know I must abstain… not OK….
Yes Robin – its a shame. I was sad to hear it when it was spoken about, docs and pharmacists, in
SE England some years ago. There are other foods to be avoided, my mum on warfarin has a list that will impact with the meds.
I also heard that pineapple and orange juice can affect drug absorption? Worth checking via the ‘wonder web’ we all rely on these days ;). It’s so important to share these facts as like you do many folk are probably blissfully unaware of the issues.
I had the best orange juice I have ever tasted in Ft Lauderdale this year – I was there with work for an all too brief spell. Was my first trip to the US – smashing!
Keep
Up the good work.
Best regards. Stella
I’m only on one med, and wouldn’t you know, I’m not allowed grapefruit either. It is frustrating!!! You are not alone…..
No Stella- NOT PINEAPPLES AND ORANGES TOO??
My favourite fruits are all citrus. My favourite fruit of all is pineapple. I take BP medications. They need to invent something to counteract this side effect. I totally agree that people need to know about this interaction. Dangerous stuff.
I wonder if you are taking statins?
There is a groundswell of controversy about them.
Many physiotherapists and others are very opposed to them as they cause muscle weakness – the last thing one wants as one is getting older.
I know this from Bob’s experience.
They mainly have two functions – one to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and the other to smooth the endothelial cells in the arteries in order to prevent further cardiovascular events.
However, did you know that you can take the natural form of ‘statin’ with less/no side effects? It is called ‘Red rice yeast’ and is available in most good health food shops. It is at least as effective as commercial statins.
Bob has been on it for over two years and has had no further ‘problems’.
(At least in the UK, the NHS will not tell you about it as they are sewn up by the drug companies in a move to try to get everyone over 55 addicted to statins.)
Dr.Oz a while ago had a good example what grapefruit juice does after you take heart pills, it really gave a lot of fright but yes it’s true.If you take severe medicines for blood presure don’t take grape fruit.
Thanks for the heads up, Robin! I had heard this a few years back, but never from my doctors(!). I also love a grapefruit half for breakfast, but haven’t had one in a very long time. I’d like to know more about the interaction–it is all day, or just if you take your meds with it or near when you ate it? Hmmm…I do like to break up a grapefruit in with my fresh fruit salad. Wonder if I need to avoid it completely? Best to you and Meredith for the holidays. We’re back enjoying the hot New Zealand summer.
My father has the same problem. He used to love having grapefruit for breakfast but, sadly, it is now “banned” from his menu. 😦
I think you’ll also find that cranberry and Warfarin don’t mix
Here’s the list of drugs and their interactivity with grapefruit: http://www.cmaj.ca/content/suppl/2012/11/26/cmaj.120951.DC1/grape-bailey-1-at.pdf
Thanks Meredith!
Grapefruit is a no no while simvastatin (for high colesterol). Alcohol and metformin are out too.