In fact, the beginning of other high protein diets, namely the Atkins Diet, may have begun with the strange food choices of the grapefruit diet. In most versions of the plan there is a very small variety of foods that are allowed and dieters are encouraged to drink either water or black coffee all day long.
At this point there are no clinical studies which substantiate the ability of the enzymes in the grapefruit juice to burn fat. Any person who goes on a low carbohydrate high protein diet that has less than 1200 calories will also lose weight, whether or not they are eating grapefruit. Proponents have no explanation of how or why this grapefruit enzyme works and why it is only in grapefruit and not in any other citrus fruit.
There was one study performed in 2006 and funded by the Florida Department of Citrus. During the study researchers found that most participants lost an average of 3 pounds over a 12 week period when they added 4 ounces of grapefruit juice to their meals. Without having control for exercise, researchers theorize that the addition of the grapefruit juice to an otherwise healthy meal reduced the amount of insulin required and promoted this small weight loss. Some participants also reported having increased their physical activity slightly which could also explain the weight loss.
People who are searching for long-term success should not waste their time on any fad diets but instead, look for a flexible program that meets the individualized needs and behaviors of the person and includes a wide variety of healthy foods. Weight loss programs should also include physical exercise which is the basis for an increase in calorie burn.
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