Studies Show Grapefruit Fights Battle of the Bulge and More

[Guest guest]

Studies Show Grapefruit Fights Battle of the Bulge and

More; Three Published Reports Coincide with National

Nutrition Month®

Business Wire

03-03-06

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif., Mar 03, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

From weight loss to heart health to disease

protection, three recent studies confirm the multiple

health benefits of grapefruit. With March designated

as National Nutrition Month®, it's an opportune time

to highlight the benefits of the tangy nutrient-packed

fruit, which unlike some citrus fruits is available

year round.

Human Study Confirms Grapefruit Promotes Weight Loss

A study published in the March 2006 issue of the

Journal of Medicinal Foods supports the long-held

belief that grapefruit is useful in the battle of the

bulge. Dr. Ken Fujioka from Scripps Clinic in San

Diego conducted a 12-week study of 100 obese men and

women and found that consuming one half grapefruit

before meals resulted in an average weight loss of 3.6

pounds with some participants losing up to 10 pounds.

Individuals who ate the grapefruit had significantly

lower levels of insulin in their blood, which the

researchers speculate resulted in the weight loss. The

smaller the amount of insulin in the blood after a

meal, the more efficiently the body uses food for

energy rather than storing it as fat. The researchers

further speculated that a natural plant compound in

grapefruit, not the fiber content, was responsible for

the weight loss since those who consumed grapefruit

juice also lost weight despite the lack of fiber.

Grapefruit Lowers Cholesterol Levels

Researchers in Israel found that red and white

grapefruit contain powerful antioxidants that may help

reduce the risk of heart disease. Published in the

February 2006 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and

Food Chemistry(1) scientists found that serving heart

bypass patients the equivalent of one grapefruit a day

significantly reduced cholesterol levels. The study

included 57 patients, both men and women, who recently

had coronary bypass surgery and failed to respond to

cholesterol-lowering medication. Red grapefruit was

especially effective, reducing cholesterol by 15

percent and triglycerides (a type of fat that

increases the risk of heart disease) by 17 percent.

Compound in Grapefruit May Protect Against Prostate

Cancer

A laboratory study conducted by researchers at UCLA

and Zhongshan University in China discovered that

naringenin -- a beneficial plant compound in

grapefruit and oranges -- helped repair damaged

genetic material (DNA) in human prostate cancer cells.

DNA repair is an important factor in cancer prevention

since it stops cancer cells from multiplying. The

research was published in the February 2006 issue of

the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry(2). Scientists

noted that DNA repair by naringenin might contribute

to the cancer-fighting effects associated with a diet

high in fruits and vegetables.

At only 60 calories, one half a grapefruit is an

excellent source of Vitamin C and fiber and also

offers Vitamin A, potassium and folate. Grapefruit and

other citrus fruits are included in the dietary

programs of some of the world's leading nutrition

organizations including USDA's Dietary Guidelines for

Americans, the Produce for Better Health (PBH)

Foundation's 5 A Day Program, American Heart

Association, American Cancer Society and the National

Cancer Institute.

About Sunkist Growers

As one of the world's oldest and largest citrus

marketing cooperatives, Sunkist Growers is owned by

more than 6,000 citrus growers in California and

Arizona, most of whom are small family farmers

harvesting oranges, lemons and grapefruit. For more

citrus information, nutrition tips and healthy

recipes, visit www.sunkist.com.

(1) Gorinstein S, Caspi A, Libman I, et al. Red

Grapefruit Positively Influences Serum Tryglyceride

Level in Patients Suffering from

Coronary Atherosclerosis: Studies in Vitro and in

Humans. J. Agric Food Chem. ASAP Web Article released

Feb. 3, 2006. (2) Gao K, Henning SM, Niu Y, et al. The

citrus flavonoid naringenin stimulates DNA repair in

prostate cancer cells. J of Nutr Biochem

2006;17(2):89-95.

SOURCE: Sunkist Nutrition Bureau

CONTACT: Integrated Marketing Works for Sunkist

Nutrition Bureau Randolph or Liz Wilkins,

949-833-3822 Srandolph@...

Lwilkins@...

__________________________________________________