Re: grape fruit juice

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By now we're well aware of the fact that our diet plays a crucial role in fighting weight woes. We've also known that certain foods cut fat, boost your metabolism and aid weight loss.

A latest study published in the journal Plos One, brings more good news. It has been found that drinking grapefruit juice not only helps in losing weight but also regulates blood sugar levels.

Celebrities and dieters have long sworn by the miraculous benefits of grapefruit and now scientists have confirmed the same. "There are many active compounds in grapefruit juice, and we don't always understand how all those compounds work," noted Andreas Stahl, Professor of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology at the University of California, Berkeley in the US. (More: Juicing - How to Lose Weight & Become Fit)

The study conducted on mice found that those fed with a high-fat diet gained 18 percent less weight when they drank clarified, no-pulp grapefruit juice compared with a control group of mice that drank water.

"The grapefruit juice lowered blood glucose to the same degree as metformin. That means a natural fruit drink lowered glucose levels as effectively as a prescription drug," said Joseph Napoli from the same university. (More: These Leaves Curb Cravings, Aid Weight Loss)

The mice that ate a high-fat diet and drank diluted grapefruit juice not only gained less weight than their control counterparts, they also had a 13 to 17 percent decrease in blood glucose levels as well as a three-fold decrease in insulin levels. Based on these findings, researchers suggest that grapefruit can play a key role in managing diabetes. (More: What You Should Know Before Starting a Weight Loss Diet)

"These results, based on controlled experiments, warrant further study of the potential health-promoting properties of grapefruit juice," concluded Stahl.

Interesting, the 'Grapefruit Diet' has been very popular short-term fad diet in the United States ever since 1930s. It is also known as the Hollywood Diet. It shot to fame due to the fat burning properties of grapefruit and also because it is low in calories and carbohydrates. The diet includes eating half a grapefruit with every meal for about 10-12 days. It has garnered a host of admirers like Kylie Minogue and Brooke Shields.