Ingestion of grapefruit lowers elevated hematocrits in human subjects.

AuthorsRobbins RC, et al. Show all Journal
Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1988;58(4):414-7.

Affiliation
Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville.

Abstract
This study was based on in vitro observations that naringin isolated from grapefruit induced red cell aggregation and evidence that clumped red cells are removed from the circulation by phagocytosis. The effect on hematocrits of adding grapefruit to the daily diet was determined using 36 human subjects (12 F, 24 M) over a 42-day study. The hematocrits ranged from 36.5 to 55.8% at the start and 38.8% to 49.2% at the end of the study. There was a differential effect on the hematocrit. The largest decreases occurred at the highest hematocrits and the effect decreased on the intermediate hematocrits; however, the low hematocrits increased. There was no significant difference between ingesting 1/2 or 1 grapefruit per day but a decrease in hematocrit due to ingestion of grapefruit was statistically significant at the p less than 0.01 level.

PMID 3243695 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Source: Ingestion of Grapefruit Lowers Elevated Hematocrits in Human Subjects - PubMed