Fact Check: Can Eating 1 grapefruit a day for 9 months clear plaque in Arteries?

A Pinterest user claims that Eating 1 grapefruit a day for 9 months can clear plaque in Arteries. This claim is Misleading.

Claim

A Pinterest user claims that Eating 1 grapefruit a day for 9 months can clear plaque in Arteries. In the post by Christine Slattery titled "The Hidden Truth," the user claims that eating 1 grapefruit a day for 9 months can clear plaque in one's Arteries. The post can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim made by the Pinterest user is Misleading. While Grapefruits has some evidence in case of helping to reduce atherosclerosis ( buildup of plaque on arteries) and support cardiovascular health but eating 1 grapefruit for 9 months cannot completely clear plaque in arteries. The claim exaggerates the role of grapefruit in heart health by suggesting that it can directly clear plaques, which is not supported by evidence. However, grapefruit can have some positive cardiovascular effects, like improving cholesterol or reducing inflammation, which might reduce plaque risk over time.

What is plaque in arteries?

Plaque refers to sticky fatty deposits that accumulate within the arteries. Plaque buildup can be dangerous. A fragment of plaque can dislodge and travel through the bloodstream until it becomes lodged in a narrower vessel. The plaque narrowing in the arteries can trigger blood clot formation along the vessel’s inner lining. 

Plaque gradually builds up inside the arterial walls, leading to a condition known as atherosclerosis. 

As per NIH, "Atherosclerosis develops slowly as cholesterol, fat, blood cells and other substances in your blood form plaque. When the plaque builds up, it causes your arteries to narrow. This reduces the supply of oxygen-rich blood to tissues of vital organs in the body."

Atherosclerosis can impact most arteries in the body, including those in the heart, brain, arms, legs, pelvis, and kidneys, with different names based on the affected area. Coronary artery disease (CAD) involves the heart, peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects the limbs, carotid artery disease targets neck arteries, renal artery stenosis affects kidney arteries, vertebral artery disease involves arteries to the back of the brain, and mesenteric artery ischemia impacts intestinal arteries. Reduced blood flow can cause symptoms like angina, while plaque rupture may result in clots that block arteries, leading to serious complications such as heart attacks, strokes, vascular dementia, and even death.

About Grapefruits

Grapefruits are highly nutritious and low in calories, making them beneficial for overall health. They are rich in essential nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin A, niacin, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin, and thiamine. These nutrients contribute to improved immunity, skin health, and heart function. Grapefruits also offer carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats, providing energy while supporting metabolic functions. Regular consumption of grapefruit or its juice may aid in weight management and may reduce the risk of diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Additionally, its high fiber content promotes better digestion and helps control blood sugar levels.

Can Eating 1 grapefruit a day for 9 months clear plaque in Arteries?

Grapeseeds provide various nutritional advantages, being abundant in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Research suggests that grapeseeds may support cardiovascular health and lower atherosclerosis risk. However, no scientific evidence or medical consensus supports the claim that consuming one grapefruit daily for nine months can clear arterial plaque.

A study conducted by J.J. Cerda et. al. discovered that grapefruit pectin reduced the severity of atherosclerosis in both the aorta and coronary arteries. The findings suggest that grapefruit pectin could positively impact atherosclerosis through a mechanism that is not related to cholesterol levels.

The study published in Frontiers in Nutrition indicates that regular intake of flavanones found in grapefruit juice may influence gene expression, potentially aiding in the prevention of vascular dysfunction and, subsequently, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Peter M.O. Owira et. al. conducted a study that found that flavonoids in grapefruit, such as naringin and hesperidin, may help in the prevention of diabetes and heart disease.

A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that fresh red grapefruit has high bioactive compounds and higher antioxidant potential. It positively impacts serum lipid levels, particularly triglycerides, and increases serum antioxidant activity. Adding fresh red grapefruit to diets may benefit hyperlipidemic, especially hypertriglyceridemic, patients with coronary atherosclerosis.

Grapefruit has shown to help in improvement cardiovascular health by enhancing serum lipid levels, especially triglycerides, and boosting antioxidant activity and may also reduce the severity of atherosclerosis but there is no scientific evidence to support that Eating 1 grapefruit a day for 9 months cannot clear plaque in Arteries.

The Medical Dialogues Fact Check team spoke with Dr Prem Aggarwal, MD (Medicine), DNB, Cardiology, Director, Sanjeevan Hospital, Daryaganj, Delhi and he explained, “While grapefruit is a nutritious fruit that can support heart health in terms of improving cholesterol levels, it cannot clear plaque from the arteries. Plaque build-up is a complex process involving cholesterol, inflammation, and calcification, often requiring a combination of medications, dietary changes, and lifestyle interventions for management. Eating grapefruit may contribute to overall heart wellness as part of a balanced diet, but expecting it to completely clear arterial plaque is highly unrealistic. Always consult a doctor for proper treatment and management of plaque buildup in arteries.”

Dr Manav Aggarwal, MBBS, DM, Interventional Cardiologist, Sanjeevan Hospital, New Delhi further said, “Grapefruit has its perks—it’s rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, which can contribute to heart health in general. But let’s be clear: it won’t scrub your arteries clean. Plaque reduction and reversal are complicated processes that involve more than just dietary tweaks; they often require medications, exercise, and a comprehensive diet plan to truly make a difference. While adding grapefruit to your meals is a good move for overall wellness, it’s not a miracle fix for artery plaque. It is important to seek doctors' advice to prevent potential complications arising from plaque build-up in the arteries.”

Medical Dialogues Final Take

Grapefruit contains beneficial nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin A, niacin, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin, and thiamine. Grapefruit may also support cardiovascular health by reducing atherosclerosis through non-cholesterol pathways, improving lipid profiles, and preventing vascular dysfunction. However, no scientific evidence or medical consensus is suggesting that Eating 1 grapefruit a day for 9 months can clear plaque in Arteries. Plaque in the arteries leads to atherosclerosis which is a complex condition typically involving cholesterol build-up, inflammation, and other factors, and it usually requires comprehensive dietary, lifestyle, and medical interventions for significant improvement.

Hence, the claim is Misleading.