Grapefruit problems/drug interactions

last year

We have a very large grapefruit tree at our new house, and the fruit will start to get ripe fairly soon. However, I wonder whether it is safe for me to eat it or not. This article makes it sound scary.

Also, how do you juice grapefruit? I was concerned that the peeling may have some ill effects, but I have made tonic syrup using grapefruit zest in the past, and it seemed not to affect me - at least not that I could tell.

I was thinking that I would need to use something like my Juiceman Juicer, in which case I would peel the grapefruit and then put grapefruit sections into the feeder chute. However, I would have to find this first, as it has not been unpacked since our move from Los Angeles. Perhaps I could just put grapefruit sections into my orange squeezer and hope that it does not squirt me in the eyes.

Do you have to avoid grapefruit juice? I really like it and I love grapefruit soda. I thought maybe I could mix a small amount of grapefruit juice with sweetener with some carbonated water.

Featured Answer

Islay Corbel

last year

last modified: last year

Certain foods can block molecules, if I understand right.

Plllog, squash is made by cooking the fruit juice with sugar and making a product that will keep. If it's called lemon squash, then it's made with lemons. The most common is orange. You dilute it with water. Kids drink it instead of fizzy drinks. Or at least they used to. Sigh. Squash is very refreshing. I drink it! I found this recipe that made me laugh.

Orange Squash 10 oranges, juice and zest of (which should give you 1 litre of orange juice) 4 lemons, juice and zest of (which should give you 300ml of lemon juice) 500ml water 300g sugar 40g citric acid Zest the oranges and lemons. Organic fruit is the best because their skins haven’t been dipped in wax. Growers do this to make their fruit shiny. Remove the zest with a grater, or otherwise with a small knife. Whether younger kids are particularly dexterous with a small sharp knife would remain your decision. Either way – it’s the colourful outer skin we’re after. You don’t want to take the pith. Bring to simmer 500ml (a pint in proper talk) of water; into which dissolve 300g sugar. If you’ve used organic fruit – you might as well use organic sugar – so when showing off to your neighbours that little Janet and John (Jamillia and Jason I guess these days) have made their own orange squash – you can be even more antagonising by pointing out that it is organic. Add to the sweetened water 40g citric acid – which will give the squash that mouthpuckering sharp acidity – akin with sherbet fountains, acid drops and lemons. Of course you don’t have to add the citric acid – if you want the whole thing to be right and hippy. But kids love chemicals. You’ll get citric acid from the chemist. If your chemist gives you a funny look when buying citric acid (particularly if you buy more than 1 tub) it is because those in the habit of making homemade class A narcotics use ascorbic acid in their illicit manufacturing process. Add the lemon and orange zest and simmer for another 10 minutes. Thereafter cool. When cool – sieve the zest out if you want a clear squash, however, cloudy is very much in vogue. Add to the sweet citric syrup the orange and lemon juice. Pour the squash into sterilised bottles and seal – leave it for a couple of weeks to allow the ingredients to acquaint themselves. Don’t forget to put the obligatory “Homemade Orange Squash” sticky label on, then you can leave it lying around the kitchen when you have your friends over for coffee and really show off. The damned thing is good enough to feature in the August edition of BBC Good Food Monthly. To serve, mix 2 tablespoons of squash into 1 glass of water – although I’ve never met anyone in my entire life stupid enough to measure cordial with a spoon.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (17)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
last modified: last year
The article supplies an answer. "If you drink grapefruit juice, always have your pharmacist check for drug interactions with your medications to rule out an interaction."

As to juicing, I imagine it would be the same as juicing oranges. But it is healthier to eat the whole fruit than just the juice. That way you get all the fibre and don't get the same spike in blood sugar.
Lars thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
jrb451
last year
My statin prevents me from consuming grapefruit in any form. :-(
Lars thanked jrb451
Related Discussions
Cost of Diabetes Drugs Skyrockets for Americans
Q
Comments (9)
This thread, as short as it is, is a perfect example of why I rarely post in the Herbalism forum these days. To see two extremists exchanging insults is NOT my idea of the sort of thing that should be happening in a forum intended to be informative. Certainly, there is no place for politics here either! However, it's nothing short of scandalous that a country as wealthy as the US should have so little concern for the health and well-being of its people. I can be smug about it, you see, because I live in Australia where diabetics are very well looked after with all products heavily subsidised by the government. But on the issue of conventional medicine versus herbal medicine for diabetes, let me try to inject a little balance. First, Brendan, you need to arrive at some sort of definition for 'a herb'. Opinions vary, but broadly speaking, if a plant, or part of a plant, has any uses to humans for the following purposes, it can be classified as 'a herb': medicinal, nutritional, cosmetic, pesticidal, culinary. Many herbs have multiple uses, and many of those uses are outside these 'categories'. Think of flax, for instance, which produces seeds which have medicinal, nutritional and culinary uses - but other parts of the plant can be used for making cloth. Some herbs are used to produce dyes, or poisons (eg for killing fish making them easy to catch), or to produce musical instruments or building materials. So the term 'herb' is a very broad umbrella indeed. The berries you refer to are not only used for culinary purposes, but they have also been well researched and proven to have beneficial medicinal effects. Let's face it, every doctor knows the medicinal function of certain components in foods (herbs) - vitamins, minerals etc. These are undeniable! These medicinal benefits were known long, long before the word 'vitamin' was invented! Back to the question of herbs to treat diabetes. There are quite a few herbs which can regulate blood sugar levels, and/or help prevent macular degeneration, and/or boost the ability of insulin to metabolise glucose, and/or counter insulin shock, and/or increase production of insulin (in short - to help restore normal bodily function in people with diabetes in various ways). Some of these herbs are listed below: Ginkgo biloba, watercress, banana, cucumber, dandelion, sage, starfruit, agrimony, parsley, blueberries, mandarines, grapeseed oil, mango, lychees, spinach, fenugreek, paprika. The difficulty with using herbal treatments for any condition, especially a difficult one like diabetes, is finding the effective dosage for each individual patient while keeping in mind the multiple uses of any herbs included in the treatment regime. As with conventional medicine, care must be taken to consider unwanted side-effects, contraindications, interactions etc. The greatest benefit of conventional medication is the comparative ease of giving beneficial dosages. It's also much easier to administer, and to monitor a drug, than a combination of herbs. The difficulty for some diabetic patients, as Oakleif pointed out, is that the cost of conventional medicines is beyond the reach of 'ordinary' people in many cases; whereas many of the herbs useful for diabetics can be grown in any garden, or purchased at the supermarket at a reasonable and affordable cost. It is sad that so many people cannot afford vital medications; and that herbal medicine is such an imprecise science. Here we have two methods of treatment - surely they can go hand in hand with each other, even when dealing with such a serious condition as diabetes? You see, many medical practitioners are unaware that many (perhaps as much as 85%, but don't quote me on that figure) of the drugs they prescribe are derived from, or synthesised copies of components of, herbs (plants). And many people who insist that 'natural' medicines are the only safe way to go do not realise that the plants they are using contain many of the same chemical components that are in conventional medications. THAT's what I think 'separating the wheat from the chaff' really means!
...See More
Problem with MIL-very long
Q
Comments (33)
I noticed that you said that if she had Alzheimer's it would have shown up by now. Actually, it and other dementias can show up at any time. Also, dementia can be caused by many things other than Alz. As to wildchild's "no no no," if you feel that in your area the psychiatrists usually handle all the psych issues and that the family doctors would have little/no experience with psych issues, then i have to agree with her. on the other hand, if it's like here (and it doesn't sound like it is as drastic as here since she was able to get an appointment with a psychiatrist once in the past) and the family practice doctors are familiar with psych illnesses, I have to strongly disagree with her. You're going to have to use your judgment, and maybe your SIL has as opinion too. (Just to give you some idea of what would happen here if the family docs didn't treat psych illnesses...I know someone who was in the psych hospital as an outpatient for a week for suicidal ideation (without plan) and under my supervision while not at the hospital. She was seen by the psychiatrist while in the hospital and had her meds adjusted by him. Upon discharge though, she was returned to the care of her family doc who had been managing her meds before. And BTW, I'm pretty sure it wasn't his inappropriate management that landed her in the hospital--I think she was snowing him and the same would have happened with a shrink. As a nurse, I know that her doctor asks the right questions.) So, I just want to try to clarify why I made the suggestion that I did and also to point out that "no no no" is not the right suggestion everywhere either. It may be the right suggestion where she is if there are plenty of shrinks, and thus the family docs there don't have a lot of knowledge/experience with psych illness. It's a judgment call. Unfortunately, a lot of people aren't in a good position to make that kind of judgment. If anyone knows a good psychiatrist who would be interested in living in a rural area of Virginia, please have him/her e-mail me for more information about the area. (It's a wonderful place to live, unless you need a psychiatrist:-) ) I don't think that someone who's been hospitalized _should_ go back into the care of a family doctor, but that's what the patient load of the psychiatrists we have here is like. Sorry to go on so long. I just have to put this out there more for other people who might read it and might live in an area like where I live. And although my opinion is strong, I'm not completely disagreeing with wildchild either. Sarah
...See More
Kitten Litter Box Problems
Q
Comments (12)
The vet did an exam as well as tests on a urine sample. He poops outside the box too, which points more to a behavior issue. We did switch them back to the regular litter. That helped some but didn't solve the problem. Sometimes he pees in the litter box and poops outside of it. Sometimes he does the reverse. The other boys are all neutered. One of the girls is spayed. The youngest girl isn't spayed yet. She's only five months and has just now reached the four lb. weight that our vet wanted her at prior to spaying. I haven't seen any signs of territorial issues. They grew up together even before we brought them home. They play together and groom each other. We actually don't usually see when he does this or we'd redirect him to the box. Thinking back on the times we've actually seen it, some of the other cats may have been nearby, but not every time. A couple of days ago he was alone with DH in the bathroom and peed on the floor. We have been working with him and will continue to do so. We're doing our best to resolve this issue. This has become pretty stressful for my DH and he is having some health problems of his own right now. We've agreed that we'll try everything to get him retrained and to help him. It isn't easy to try and retrain him when it mostly happens either at night or during the day when we're at work. This morning I saw him hovering near the box in the hall, so I put him in and scratched his paw. He jumped out. I put him back. He jumped out again and started scratching at the floor, which is what he always does prior. I placed him back in the box and scratched his paw again. He looked up at me as if he was confused so I scratched it again. And then he used it. Last night we saw him climb into the box and pee, though we did find poop in the floor when we got home. We found nothing this morning first thing. Later we found a puddle on the kitchen floor, which definitely happened after we woke up because I checked when when we first got up. The amitriptyline certainly wasn't a first consideration. Actually it wasn't the first suggestion the vet made either. But if all else fails we are willing to try it. It is not, though, a downer. It's actually an antidepressant and anxiety relief medication.
...See More
Carrie Fisher was still taking drugs?
Q
Comments (64)
Actually, Arkansas, "drunk" is exactly what you said: I'm not believing the people that claim they can drink and not get drunk....how is that supposed to work? My experience has been like that of d_gw. A drink with dinner might make me feel absolutely nothing - not even that slight flush that is the first telltale sign (for me) that I'm consuming alcohol. On other evenings, if I'm tired or overwrought in any way, one drink could have a completely different effect. Our bodies react differently to alcohol depending upon any number of factors. I have also noticed that some people have very different reactions to caffeine. Our English friends, for instance, made a habit of having one last cup of tea before bedtime every night - and this, often close to midnight. I would've been awake, bouncing off the walls all night long if I did that. (And it happened on more than one occasion, when I was staying with them and didn't want to turn down their offer of a "cuppa" because it was such a part of their normal routine.) It seemed to have absolutely no affect on their sleep whatsoever.
...See More
plllog
last year
Grapefuits are generally very juicy, so any kind of juicer, press or reamer will work. I have a large reamer which would work for grapefruit or even pomelo, but a standard orange size hand reamer will work if you just aim it around and squeeze against the sides. I would have said to ask your doctor, but Floral is right (and it was in the article) that the pharmacist is your best bet.

In Israel they have (had?) a common drink that is called grapefruit juice but is more like a filtered lemonade (American definition, I believe in the UK it's called "lemon squash"). It's totally smooth, a little more body than water, sweetened but not sugary, very grapefruity,. This was the very most refreshing drink--more even than water--on very hot days. I can't find any kind of recipe for it, but it would be a perfect thing where you live. I hope you're cleared to enjoy your grapefruits!
Lars thanked plllog
Lars
Original Author
last year
Grapefruit will not fit in my orange squeezer, and so I cannot juice grapefruit the same way that I juice oranges. However, if I remove the peeling, I should be able to get it in.

I was also wondering if there is a problem with the peeling because that is mentioned in the article that I found.

I've been drinking Shasta grapefruit soda, but I think it does not have a large amount of grapefruit juice in it, although it does have some. Grapefruit is my favorite flavor of soda.
Islay Corbel
last year
You don't say what drugs you are taking. Grapefruit is proscribed for many drugs. My brother can't eat them. If in doubt ask your doc.
Lars thanked Islay Corbel
fawnridge (Ricky)
last year
When I first started taking statins to control my cholesterol, I was told to avoid grapefruit. However, with multiple trips to Jamaica each year and my love for this beverage, I drink no more than two a week when I'm in Negril. So far, I've not had a negative reaction, probably due to the small amount of actual grapefruit juice in each bottle. If you're really craving the taste of grapefruit, I suggest trying a bottle to see how it affects you.
Lars thanked fawnridge (Ricky)
Lars
Original Author
last year
Ting is probably very similar to Shasta grapefruit soda. It does not appear to bother me, as I do not drink a whole can of it at a time. I also drink Piñafiel Toronjada soda, especially when I am in Mexico, but it might not actually have grapefruit juice in it, although it tastes like it does - even more so that Shasta, which does contain grapefruit juice.

One of the drugs I am taking is Atorvastatin, which I believe is not supposed to be taken with grapefruit. I also take Allegra, which is one of the drugs on the list.
nancyjane_gardener
last year
I don't understand the thing with meds and grapefruit, but I would certainly contact you Doctor or pharmacist first!
Lars thanked nancyjane_gardener
arkansas girl
last year
I had no idea of this! I am not on any RX meds so I don't really think about it. I also just read that cabbage can affect the function of the Thyroid! I had no idea about that either! There are a couple people that I know that I am definitely going to inform them about the grapefruit drug interaction issue because they are on RX meds!
Lars thanked arkansas girl
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
last modified: last year
Islay, I got the questions when buying citric acid for elderflower cordial. I described the recipe to the chemist and they believed me. Grey hair is brilliant cover for all sorts of potentially nefarious activities.

As to the grapefruit thing. Just ask a pharmacist. There's really no need to puzzle over it. Although the doctor or dispensing chemist should have told you. My mother was on warfarin and had been clearly told by her GP and the pharmacist.
Lars thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
plllog
last year
last modified: last year
If it's prescription medicine, there's usually a sticky label on the bottle that has the standard cautions, including the grapefruit, but since Lars was wondering about the small amount of juice in the soda pop, it seems like the pharmacist would have the best answer. That is, the actual doctor of pharmacy, not the clerks. :)

IC, thank-you for that! What a hoot! But she says it at the end (I'm assuming "she"), when she calls it a cordial. We have those. I just hear Brits all the time explaining that to them, "lemonade" is what we call "lemon soda" (though ours are usually lemon-lime). Said Brits then go on to say that what we call "lemonade" is "lemon squash" to them. Obviously, if this recipe is real beside being so funny, they obviously don't know how lemonade is made!

Lemonade is freshly squeezed lemon juice, pulp and all, sugar (or whatever sweetener floats your boat) to taste, and water. The Kitchn (via Google) says: "standard ratio of 1 cup of lemon juice to 1 cup of sugar added to 1 1/2 quarts of cold water for perfectly sweet lemonade" which is way too sweet for me! Most people don't measure. They just mix, taste and adjust. Some have difficulties with the sugar and make it with simple syrup instead. Some don't like pulp and strain it out. Once you have lemonade you can adulterate it the way that's done with iced tea (or you can go halfsies with tea and call it "Arnold Palmer"): E.g., pureed peaches instead of sugar, cherries floating (sinking, really) in it (with pits unless they're candied), herbs, etc. But there's nothing like plain ol' lemonade, not too sweet. But the Israeli grapefruit juice drink is even more refreshing.

Of course, this is a thing for where lemons grow in the garden, and come cheap in large bags at the store. I think our friends in the UK have bemoaned the price of lemons there. Making a cordial that depends on acid powder for tartness, rather than the actual lemons, is another clue that lemons are expensive there.
Lars thanked plllog
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
last modified: last year
The citric acid is a preservative, not a flavouring. Without it the cordial would ferment. My elderflower cordial contains plenty of lemons as well as the acid. It keeps well for a year. It will not go off even after two years but the flavour deteriorates. Lemons are not particularly expensive ime. You can currently get 6 small ones for £1.50. Just over $2.00.

Nobody really makes squash at home. You buy it in the supermarket. Those who make fresh lemonade make it you describe. But the same name is also applied to various sodas too.
Lars thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
Islay Corbel
last year
Here, we have citron pressé. This is a lemon squeezed into a glass. They give you a tiny bit of sugar and a jug of water. It strips your teeth! But, if you can get it down, very refreshing LOL
plllog
last year
last modified: last year
OTOH, citric acid gives a nice lemony hint in cookies, which I've tasted but not made. Nice that it can preserve the cordial.

IC, that's basically DIY lemonade!
Alice in MD
last year
My husband has taken a cancer drug for more than 15 years and hasn't had a drop of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (which he loves) because of the warning that it would not work well with the drug. Here are several sources of information about grapefruit and drug interactions:

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/grapefruit-juice-and-some-drugs-dont-mix

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/grapefruit-and-medication-a-cautionary-note

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3589309/

https://www.uclahealth.org/sites/default/files/documents/expandedlistofmedications.pdf

https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/store/health-guides/grapefruit-interactions
Lars thanked Alice in MD
Lars
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
I talked to a pharmacist yesterday and told him that I take Atorvastatin in the evening, and he told me that it would be okay to eat grapefruit in the morning.

Here's what WebMD has to say about it:

<Do not drink large amounts of grapefruit juice (1.2 liters or more) while taking atorvastatin. Large amounts of grapefruit juice can increase your risk of developing serious muscle problems. >

So it appears that the small amounts of grapefuit I would consume will be okay.

Grapefruit problems/drug interactions

Islay Corbel

Comments (17)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

jrb451

Related Discussions

plllog

Lars
Original Author

Islay Corbel

fawnridge (Ricky)

Lars
Original Author

nancyjane_gardener

arkansas girl

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

plllog

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

Islay Corbel

plllog

Alice in MD

Lars
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Grapefruit problems/drug interactions

Comments (17)

Related Discussions

LarsOriginal Author

LarsOriginal Author

LarsOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Lars
Original Author

Lars
Original Author

Lars
Original Author