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Citrus Facts from the Florida Department of Citrus

Nutrition facts about Grapefruit and Oranges

Grapefruit

       -   Iron Deficiency -- 77% of American women under the age of 50 are iron deficient. Consuming citrus foods like grapefruit and grapefruit juice can help combat anemia.  This is great news for young women, female athletes and vegetarians - all susceptible to iron deficiencies.

       -   Healthy Hearts -- Florida Grapefruit is the first fresh produce item to receive the American Heart Association heart-check mark, designating foods low in sodium, cholesterol and fat.

       -   Cholesterol -- The high level of pectin fiber found in citrus fruits like grapefruit may also help to lower cholesterol.

       -   Disease Prevention -- One half of one medium grapefruit gives you 110 percent of the current recommended daily values of vitamin C you need each day.  Vitamin C is an important anti-oxidant, blocking "free radicals" that damage cells.  One half on a Florida grapefruit also has more dietary fiber (six grams) than many other popular fruits, including bananas, apples and strawberries.  Recent research has suggested it may help to prevent chronic heart diseases like heart disease and cancer.

       -   Losing Weight -- Americans trying to lose weight should consume fruits and vegetables with high fiber and water content - like grapefruit. Half of a grapefruit contains only 60 calories and actually takes the "edge" off your appetite to avoid overeating.

       -   Potassium -- A deficiency of potassium is sometimes caused by dehydration of diuretics such as coffee or tea.  To overcome this loss, physicians recommend eating more foods that supply potassium like grapefruit, which has 230 mgs., and equals 7% of the recommended daily value.

       -   Cold Season -- Research suggests that Vitamin C may shorten the duration and/or lessen the severity of colds.

Oranges

       -   Vitamin C -- Oranges are an excellent source of Vitamin C. Vitamin C may diminish the risk of heart disease, the development of certain cancers, prevent the buildup of "bad" cholesterol, reduce the risk of cataracts and aid in the body's overall natural healing process.

       -   Potassium -- One medium orange contains 260 milligrams of potassium - 15% of what the FDA recommends per day.  Potassium plays a key role in lowering blood pressure, which decreases the risk of both heart attacks and strokes, while also regulating heart rhythm, providing energy for the body, which is necessary for the body's growth and maintenance.

       -   Folate -- Oranges are a good source of folate.  This nutrient helps to prevent neural tube birth defects, may help reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease and cancer, and guards against anemia.

       -   Fiber -- Eating a medium-size orange provides 28% of the recommended daily value for dietary fiber.  Oranges are an excellent source, providing more fiber than any of the top 20 consumed fruits or vegetables. Soluble dietary fiber may help lower cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease, and protect against colon cancer.  

The Facts About Grapefruit & Drug Interactions

When a food or beverage changes the way a medicine affects the body, this is known as a food-drug interaction.  Food-drug interactions are not uncommon.  There are hundreds of food prodcuts - including broccoli, coffee and dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese - that have the potential to interact with certain drugs.  Grapefruit and grapefruit juice were added to the list in the late 1980s.  It was then scientists discovered that grapefruit contains natural substances that can affect the way certain prescription medications are broken down (metabolized) by the human body.

In the mid-1990s, mainstream media began to focus on the fact that grapefruit can interact with certain drugs.  Shortly thereafter, coverage of the issue intensified significantly, and generally focused more on grapefruit juice than on fresh grapefruit.

Unfortunately, due to inaccurate and/or incomplete reporting on the topic, healthcare professionals and consumers were exposed to a considerable amount of misinformation regarding the nature and scope of these potential interactions.  In fact, some reports in national media outlets went as far as to suggest that it is unsafe to take any pill with grapefruit juice.

This gross misrepresentation of the facts created confusion with consumers and healthcare professionals.  As a result, many consumers have unnecessarily deprived themselves of the many health, taste and nutrition benefits of grapefruit juice.

While research on the topic of drug interactions with grapefruit juice is ongoing, the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) has been working with leading scientific experts since 2001 to communicate the facts about grapefruit juice-drug interactions with the goal of correcting public misperceptions and creating better patient counsel.  Scientists and clinical researchers agree on the following basic facts:

   *  While some prescription medications may interact with grapefruit juice, most do not.

   *  For patients taking medications known to interact with grapefruit juice, there generally are non-interacting alternative medications that offer safe treatment with no need to discontinue drinking grapefruit juice.  For example, cholesterol-lowering "statin" drugs simvastatin (Zocor) and lovastatin (Mevacor) may interact, while pravastatin (Pravachol) and fluvastatin (Lescol) have an insignificant effect and, therefore, are safe to take with grapefruit juice.

   *  It is safe to consume grapefruit juice while taking any over-the-counter medication.

   *  Patients should consult with their pharmacist or doctor if they have any questions about their prescription medication(s).

The FDOC is commited to getting the public accurate information regarding grapefruit juice and its interaction with ceertaian drugs.  If you have any questions on this issue, please feel free to e-mail the FDOC at

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