Study shows benefits of grapefruit juice for vascular system

The latest: A recent analysis on blood samples from a subset of women in the study found that the consumption of 100% grapefruit juice affected the expression of certain genes and proteins associated with beneficial effects on inflammation, immunity, cell interaction and vascular function, per the Florida Department of Citrus.

🍊 Why it matters: That's good news for Florida grapefruit growers, and for women with increased arterial stiffness, which has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke.

Details: 48 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 65 drank either 100% grapefruit juice or a control drink that was matched in sugars, calories and most vitamins and minerals, but contained no naringin, the primary polyphenol in grapefruit juice.

• They drank the beverages for six months, then took a two-month break, then drank the opposite beverage for six months.

The bottom line: The arteries in the women who drank the grapefruit juice were less stiff compared to the control drink group, linking the juice to positive effects on vessel health.