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Botanical

Grapefruit

Grapefruit, Citrus paradisi, is a citrus fruit. Supplements often use grapefruit seed extract.

Also listed as Citrus paradisi, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Grapefruit Seed, Grapefruit Extract

CardiovascularLongevityImmune SupportOrgan FunctionWeight Management

What it is studied for

The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.

Cholesterol balanceCardiovascularModerateBNo linked study
Oxidative stressLongevityModerateBNo linked study
Immune SupportSmallCNo linked study
InflammationSmallCNo linked study
Liver healthOrgan FunctionSmallCNo linked study
Weight lossWeight ManagementSmallCNo linked study
All 8 rated effectsGrouped by health goal, with the publications behind each rating

What does grapefruit offer?

Grapefruit supplies vitamin C and potassium. Both the fruit and its juice can change how certain medicines work, so being an ordinary food does not remove the interaction risk. 1

What this page covers

This profile covers grapefruit as fruit and juice. It does not evaluate grapefruit seed extract, isolated pectin, liver-health claims or infection prevention.

Why people take it

Immune Support16.8%
Essential Health14.5%
Detox12.5%
Energy11.6%
Gut Health9.6%
Cognition6.9%

SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.

Questions people ask

Is whole grapefruit safer than juice with medicines?

The FDA warning covers both fruit and juice. The answer depends on the specific medicine. 1

Is grapefruit a proven weight-loss food?

Three small randomized trials did not show a statistically significant weight-loss advantage. 2

Is a few hours between juice and medicine enough?

Not reliably. Health Canada notes that an interaction can persist for three days or more. 3

Sources

  2. The effect of grapefruits on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2017