The Journal: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

The Study: Scientists at Hebrew University in Jerusalem divided 57 men and women who had recently undergone coronary bypass surgery and whose blood cholesterol remained high despite treatment with statin drugs into three groups. One group ate a single serving of red grapefruit every day; another ate a serving of white grapefruit and the third group had none. Otherwise, all three groups ate an ordinary balanced diet. At the end of 30 days, the researchers found that the grapefruit eaters—especially those eating red grapefruit—had significant decreases in cholesterol, while the abstainers did not.

What it Means: Combining grapefruit and statins to treat stubbornly high cholesterol levels is an experimental remedy that should be done only under close medical supervision. Grapefruit contains antioxidant chemicals, which may be responsible in part for the effect. But grapefruit also increases the body's absorption of statins, which is why the drugs usually come with warnings not to eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice. Too high a level of statins in the blood can lead to serious muscle damage.

From our Archive:
09/13/2004: Why Some Statins Work Better
07/26/2004: How Low Can You Go?