Scientifically based or hype? Do you often ask yourself this question when you see a product that is advertised on every corner? If so, then we have research-backed facts about grapefruit seed extract for you, which is said to have many positive effects Let's take a look together in this article at what grapefruit seed extract can really do.
It’s worth reading on!
At the end of the article there is a voucher for our grapefruit seed extract waiting for you!
This is exactly grapefruit seed extract
The name says it all: Grapefruit seed extract (GSE for short) is made from grapefruit ( Citrus × paradisi ), more precisely from the ground seeds and peels of the fruit.
These were originally waste products left over from the processing of grapefruits. Today, the sought-after product is extracted from them with the help of glycerine, for example.
The effect of grapefruit seed extract was discovered quite by chance by Dr. Jakob Harich, who was amazed to see that the seeds of his grapefruits did not rot on the compost heap. As a scientist, his interest was aroused and he investigated the matter.
The effect of grapefruit seed extract has not yet been clearly proven scientifically. Nevertheless, there are enough cases in which grapefruit extract is said to have helped. This makes it interesting to take a closer look.
It is now believed that the main reason for the often praised effectiveness of grapefruit seed extract is the vitamin C it contains as well as secondary plant ingredients, so-called flavonoids. For example, naringin, a chemical compound that is partly responsible for the bitter taste of grapefruit, is said to have lipid-lowering and antioxidant effects. [1]
But let’s first clarify what flavonoids are before we take a closer look at the effects of grapefruit seed extract.
Flavonoids - A brief explanation
As we have just said: flavonoids are secondary plant substances. They belong to the group of so-called polyphenols. Their job is to protect plants from natural predators and at the same time attract insects for pollination. Among other things, they are found in the coloring and flavoring of plants.
Currently, around 8,000 different flavonoids are known. They are generally said to have antioxidant properties, one of the reasons why plants containing flavonoids are used for medicinal purposes. They are also said to be effective against inflammation, free radicals, allergies and fungi.
Foods that contain flavonoids include peppers, chives, cherries, berries, apples and tomatoes.
Grapefruit seed extract - What science says
Taken as a supplement, grapefruit seed extract probably has advantages, but it also has disadvantages. We'll look at both sides.
Abundant antioxidants
Grapefruit seed extract contains a number of antioxidants that can protect the body from oxidative stress and cell damage caused by so-called free radicals. In case you don't know, chronic oxidative stress can lead to a number of serious diseases. [2]
The flavonoids, polyphenols and essential oils contained in grapefruit seed extract are also substances that have antioxidant effects. [3]
A comparative study from 2005 even found that naringin, contained in grapefruit seed extract, could protect the digestive tract of rats against stress and radiation damage. [4] [5]
Antibacterial effect
As Dr. Jakob Harich has already determined, grapefruit seed extract has an antibacterial effect. This has also been shown by various studies that have confirmed its effectiveness against some fungi, viruses and bacteria.
Studies by the University of Texas on cell cultures showed the good effect of grapefruit seed extract in fighting bacteria. [6] [7]
Animal experiments have also shown that the substance has antibacterial effects and could be used against possible fungal infections. [8]
So is grapefruit seed extract a natural antibiotic?
This cannot yet be confirmed. Some scientific papers claim that the antibacterial properties of grapefruit seed extract supplements are solely due to the additives they contain. [9]
Most of the tests were also carried out in vitro, and confirmation of effectiveness in humans is still pending. Therefore, grapefruit seed extract is in no way a substitute for oral medication.
Help with urinary tract infections and stomach problems
Because grapefruit seed extract shows good results in fighting bacteria, researchers are considering whether its supportive use also makes sense in infections and other complaints.
One indication of how grapefruit seed extract can help with stomach problems is its ability to kill the rod bacterium Helicobacter pylori. [10] This bacterium nests in the stomach lining and can be the cause of everything from gastritis to ulcers.
Another study achieved positive results in the treatment of urinary tract infections with grapefruit seed extract. [11]
However, the following also applies here: These results are not representative; further studies are needed to confirm the actual effectiveness.
Help with skin problems
The antimicrobial properties of grapefruit seed extract and its effectiveness against fungal infections make the product a candidate in the fight against skin diseases caused, for example, by certain yeast fungi. [12]
To find out more, in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted on 25 subjects. The result showed that the substances in grapefruit seed extract did not help against all of the bacteria and fungi examined, but did show positive results in the case of an infection caused by Candida fungi. [13]
But here too, further research results must be awaited.
Other possible benefits
Research is currently looking into other areas of application to determine whether grapefruit seed extract could be used as a supportive agent.
In the fight against diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol, grapefruit seed extract was shown in an animal study that intake over 31 days led to weight loss and lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels in the animals. [14]
Another study on rats, in which the blood supply to certain organs was temporarily interrupted, showed something interesting: Giving the animals grapefruit seed extract half an hour beforehand led to a reduction in inflammation and damage to the tissues and organs after the blood supply was restored. [15]
Although these results are promising, the evidence is very thin. Future studies must confirm these results and show to what extent they can be transferred to humans.
Does grapefruit seed extract have any disadvantages?
Grapefruit seed extract is often advertised as a natural product. In many cases, however, the term is misleading, as quite a few of the over-the-counter products contain additives that, in the worst case, can even have a negative impact on your health. [16] [17]
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) issued a warning for grapefruit seed extract in 1998. The reason: some of the tested food supplements contained harmful benzethonium chloride. [18]
But even without these additives, grapefruit seed extract may not only have positive effects on health.
A Brazilian animal study showed that concentrated doses of grapefruit seed extract caused inflammation in rats and had toxic effects on cells such as connective tissue. [19]
But here too, animal studies cannot be transferred one-to-one to humans, so further research is needed.
So what should you do if you want to supplement your diet with grapefruit seed extract?
If you want to take a dietary supplement that contains grapefruit seed extract, you should only choose a high-quality product that is really free of additives and has undergone strict quality tests. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's dosage recommendations to avoid an overdose.
If you are taking medications, you should consult your doctor as grapefruit seed extract may interact with some drugs. [20]
Conclusion: Grapefruit seed extract is promising
Grapefruit seed extract is not a miracle cure and many of the claims made about its alleged effects cannot be confirmed. However, trials have shown promising approaches when it comes to combating certain bacteria, viruses and fungal diseases.
The antioxidant properties of the secondary plant substances contained in grapefruit seed extract are also the subject of further investigations.
In any case, you should make sure that grapefruit seed extract is of high quality, as inferior, contaminated products are widespread and can be harmful to your health.
We at +Viktilabs would like to thank you for reading this far and are giving you a 10% voucher for our grapefruit seed extract .
Simply copy the voucher code GRAPEFRUIT+V10 and enter it at checkout.
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[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29284137/
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25869516/
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15030930/
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15936352/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4355785/
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12165191/
[7] http://www.drrathresearch.org/images/attachments/Infectious%20Diseases/Grapefruit-seed-LD.pdf
[8] https://academic.oup.com/jbcr/article-abstract/24/suppl_2/S139/4734379?redirectedFrom=fulltext
[9] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10399191/
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3957247/
[11] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15865506/
[12] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16886437/
[13] http://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/1990/pdf/1990-v05n03-p155.pdf
[14] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19062465/
[15] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24616645/
[16] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11453769/
[17] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17867553/
[18] https://www.bfr.bund.de/de/pres
beinformation/1998
/16/bgvv_raet_zu_vorsicht_bei_produkte_mit_grapefruitkern extracten-853.html
[19] https://www.medscitechnol.com/download/index/idArt/889242
[20] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1873672/
