Although it’s not a cure or replacement for medications, grapefruit contains nutrients that can help lower your blood pressure. If you eat grapefruit every morning, you might be able to reduce high blood pressure and maintain a healthy blood pressure.
Three main nutrients in grapefruit can help lower your blood pressure:
- Potassium: It helps your body get rid of extra sodium, which is a mineral that can raise blood pressure. One medium grapefruit contains about 356 milligrams of potassium, which isn’t a huge amount but still contributes to the generally recommended daily potassium intake of 2,600 milligrams for women and 3,400 milligrams for men. Research shows that getting more potassium in your diet can lower blood pressure, especially if you already have hypertension (high blood pressure).
- Flavonoids: These are natural plant compounds that may help protect your heart and blood vessels. Pink and red grapefruits are particularly rich in flavonoids. Research suggests that people who eat more flavonoid-rich foods tend to have a lower risk of stroke and heart disease.
- Antioxidants: These include vitamin C, lycopene, and beta carotene. Vitamin C has been linked to small improvements in blood pressure. Lycopene is the same compound that gives tomatoes their red color, and research has linked higher lycopene intake to a lower risk of stroke. Beta carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A, appears helpful for heart health, though supplements haven’t shown the same benefit.
While grapefruit may offer some support for healthy blood pressure, it works best alongside other healthful habits, like limiting salt, staying active, and managing stress.
There’s no recommended amount of grapefruit to eat to lower blood pressure. In one small study, people ate half a grapefruit three times a day (about 1.5 grapefruits daily) for six weeks and saw their systolic blood pressure (the top number) drop by about three points from their starting numbers. However, results were varied and inconsistent.
Grapefruit can cause issues for some people because of its interactions with certain medications. Compounds in grapefruit can interfere with enzymes in your gut that help break down medications, which may cause higher levels of medication to build up in your bloodstream. This can increase the risk of side effects or make a medication work differently than intended.
Medications commonly affected include:
- Some cholesterol-lowering drugs, like Lipitor (atorvastatin)
- Certain blood pressure medications like Procardia or Adalat CC (nifedipine)
- Some medications used for heart rhythm problems, like Cordarone (amiodarone)
Not every medication in these categories interacts with grapefruit, but when it does, the interaction can be serious.
If you take any prescription medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding grapefruit to your diet. And if grapefruit isn’t a good option for you, plenty of other fruits can support healthy blood pressure.
