Grape juice vs Grapefruit juice (heart medication)

[GABaracus]

Now I know not to drink or eat grapefruit, but is regular grapes okay? Also if it’s in a 100 percent pressed fruit juice or something, can I still drink it?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Grapefruit juice decreases the activity of the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzymes that are responsible for breaking down many drugs and toxins.

Grapefruit contains compounds known as furanocoumarins that block the CYP3A4 enzymes. When grapefruit juice is consumed, the enzyme’s ability to break down the drug for elimination is decreased.

Blood levels of the drug may rise, resulting in a risk for new or worsened side effects.

Grape juice does not cause problems but beware of drinking too much as it it loaded with fructose and, hence, calories. Fresh grapes are better than juice as the skins contain fibre.

[GABaracus in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you. Don’t worry, I’m only drinking whole fruit juice and 100 percent pressed.

I also just bought a new juicer to make my own drinks. I will simply be sticking in fruits and juicing them. Not adding anything at all, outside of the fruits themselves.

[NorthantsSteve in reply to GABaracus]

Just be careful with amounts though. As Michael says fresh fruit contains sugars and it’s dead easy (I speak from personal experience) to raise your blood sugar levels with them.

[GABaracus in reply to NorthantsSteve]

I’ve only been having 3 fruits a day “tops” and nothing too large.

[Hidden in reply to MichaelJH]

Quoting from memory I believe the study which raised concerns over grapefruit juice involved test subjects consuming 2 litres of grapefruit juice, the occasional glass might not be problematic. The coumarin substances present in grapefruit are also found in pomegranate juice, which cardiac patients frequently consume. I believe grapes are Ok to consume. Not all statins are metabolised by the CYP3A4 enzyme, for example pravastatin and fluvastatin, so grapefruit juice would not be an issue with these.

[gilreid1]

God I hope grape 🍇 juice is ok the amount of red wine I enjoy 😉

[Qualipop]

They may have similar names but grapes and grapefruit are not remotely related.

[GABaracus in reply to Qualipop]

That’s good to know!