Grapefruit Diets
What is the Grape fruit diet all about?
Sometimes labeled as a "fad diet," since it focuses on only one type of food, the grapefruit diet has been around since the 1980s. It has caught on quite well considering that it is a simple plan involving an ordinary fruit generally available. Variants of the fruit, like juice, can also be taken. The fruit itself is fat-free, low-calorie -- only up to 800 calories a day -- and rich in vitamins like vitamin A and C, and potassium.
How does it work?
The diet plan works on the theory that half a grapefruit every meal is enough to induce weight loss because the fruit contains enzymes, which help to break down fat. The diet burns fat by speeding up your metabolism.
It is a short-term diet plan, usually ranging only up to two weeks. Should it be considered longer than two weeks, then you have to take two days off before continuing. Grapefruit diet menus are available on the internet. The fruit can be taken with some protein foods and little meat. Dieters are also advised to take from 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. A typical breakfast includes half a grapefruit, eggs, some bacon, black coffee or tea. Lunch or dinner could include half a grapefruit, salad and any meat.
Another theory of the grapefruit diet is that the fruit itself decreases insulin levels, which aid in faster metabolism. Grapefruit (pectin) diet tablets are also available, but are quite expensive given that they should be taken regularly -- up to 3 tablets a day for two-three months.
Fad or Myth?
Since the diet plan seems too simple and good to be truth, it has been described as a �myth.�
However, recent but still inconclusive studies have shown that including grapefruit in your diet is not bad, though it still depends on your health condition.
Scripps Clinic study
A recent study by the Nutrition and Medical Research Center at Scripps Clinic (http://scrippsclinic.com) in San Diego , USA shows that control groups whose members have taken grapefruit have shown significant weight loss.
On the insulin theory, researchers �speculate that the chemical properties of grapefruit reduce insulin levels and encourage weight loss� ( http://scrippsclinic.com/news/article_fulltext.cfm?ID=211 ). Insulin helps speed up break down of fat.
However, even the Scripps researchers themselves are careful about their conclusions. Instead, they recommend more research on the subject matter. Grapefruit's fat-burning capability also has no known scientific claim.
An article in the The Pharmaceutical Journal (source: The Pharmaceutical Journal, Vol. 269, July 27, 2002, available at http://www.pjonline.com/pdf/cpd/pj_20020727_slimming2.pdf states that this fat-burning claim is misleading because it is the diet's low calorie ingredient -- the grapefruit itself -- which contributes to weight loss. Furthermore, this kind of low calorie diet should only be taken under medical supervision.
With Medication:
Grapefruit and its variants, like juice, in particular, are known to cause adverse effects on a person taking medication.
An article from the Swedish Hospital website (http://www.swedish.org/16460.cfm) lists some drugs which interact with grapefruit and can be affected by it.
The menu's low calorie content can cause weakness and dizziness for some
http://www.thedietchannel.com/Grapefruit-diet.htm . Hence, the diet plan is not recommended for sick people.
Weight loss is attributed to loss of body fluids. This, plus the inclusion of caffeinated and cocktail drinks (mixed with grapefruit juice), may lead to dehydration. A good website to visit about the ongoing debates is http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/grapefruit_diet.htm.
It provides links to conflicting points of view about the diet plan. It has links to the Scripps Clinic press release and provides warnings about consequences of the plan.
Conclusion:
Like other fad diets, experts and health professionals warn that focusing on only one type of food can be dangerous. Because of the monotonous content, diet plans like this deprive your body of all the required nutrients.
Those who lose weight from fad diets are believed not to gain benefits from properties of the food involved but on the "near-starvation method". Because the diet plan involves only one type of food, dieters eat less or do not eat at all.
Fad diets, in general, are not believed to be sustainable ( University of Pittsburgh : http://patienteducation.upmc.com/Pdf/FadDiets.pdf). They are short-term solutions that canprepare you for a change in eating habits, hopefully to lead to healthy eating habits.
Furthermore, the lack of scientific evidence to support the plan's claims should be enough warning.
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