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There are a few reasons why some people may need to avoid eating grapefruit.
Medication interactions
For some people, consuming grapefruit and its juice may lead to medication interactions (33Trusted Source).
This is because it contains substances that inhibit cytochrome P450, an enzyme your body uses to metabolize certain medications.
If you eat grapefruit while taking these medications, your body may not be able to break them down. This could cause an overdose and other adverse effects (34Trusted Source).
The medications most likely to interact with grapefruit include:
immunosuppressants
benzodiazepines
most calcium channel blockers
indinavir
carbamazepine
some statins
If you are taking any of these medications, talk with your doctor before adding grapefruit to your diet.
Tooth enamel erosion
In some instances, eating grapefruit may lead to tooth enamel erosion.
Citric acid, which is found in citrus fruits, is a common cause of enamel erosion, especially if you consume it in excess.
If you have particularly sensitive teeth, you may need to avoid acidic fruits. However, there are some things you can do to preserve your tooth enamel while still enjoying grapefruit:
Never suck on grapefruit or other acidic fruits, and avoid putting them directly against your teeth.
Rinse your mouth with water after eating the fruit and wait 30 minutes to brush your teeth.
Eat cheese with the fruit. This helps neutralize the acidity in your mouth and increase saliva production.
The bottom line
Grapefruit is one of the healthiest fruits on the planet. It’s rich in important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
On the whole, grapefruit is delicious and incredibly easy to add to your diet.
Updated on Mar 29, 2022
James Eckburg
