Grapefruit provides significant amounts of vitamins A and C and is relatively low in calories and low on the glycemic index, making it a nutritious fruit option for diabetics. Eating grapefruit can also help you better control your blood sugar levels, but if you take certain medications, it is best to choose a different fruit due to possible drug interactions. Carbohydrate content Half a large grapefruit has 53 calories and 13.4 grams of carbohydrates, including 1.8 grams of fiber. If you monitor your blood sugar by counting carbohydrates, this counts as one serving of carbohydrates. Diabetics can typically consume between 45 and 75 grams of carbohydrates per meal, or three to five servings of carbohydrates. Glycemic index The glycemic index estimates the effect of a carbohydrate-containing food on blood sugar levels. Foods with a low glycemic index of less than 55 are not likely to cause large increases in blood sugar levels, while those with a high glycemic index of 76 or higher may cause spikes in blood sugar levels after eating them. Grapefruit has a low GI of 25, so it is not likely to have a significant effect on blood sugar as long as you watch your portion sizes. Research Findings Eating half a grapefruit before each meal can help you control your blood sugar levels and lose a small amount of weight, according to a study published in the “Journal of Medicinal Food” in March 2006. Fresh grapefruit helped improve insulin resistance, as well as insulin levels two hours after eating. Grapefruit juice was also beneficial for weight loss, but not for improving insulin resistance. Other Considerations Stick with fresh grapefruit instead of grapefruit juice, which is higher in calories and carbohydrates. Each 8-ounce glass has 94 calories and 22.1 grams of carbohydrates. Check with your doctor before increasing your grapefruit consumption, because this fruit can interact with many medications, making them more or less effective, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It may also interact with the diabetes drug metformin, making a side effect called lactic acidosis more likely, according to a study published in “Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology” in November 2009.
What are the effects of grapefruit on diabetes?
