Scientists have discovered that grapefruit pulp may help to improve bone health and reduce the risk of the bone thinning disease osteoporosis.
A study on rats, published in the journal Nutrition, found that feeding them grapefruit pulp led to an increase in bone mineral build-up and calcium absorption.
The researchers noted that rats which did not eat grapefruit pulp typically experienced a 16 per cent decrease in calcium and a 24 per cent decrease in magnesium in the lower part of the spine compared with only ten per cent and 16 per cent respectively in those fed on grapefruit.
In the femoral (thigh) bone, calcium decreased by seven per cent in the control group, while only falling by one per cent among rats fed on grapefruit.
The researchers, who are based at Texas A&M University, hope that the results can now be replicated in humans to provide a simple dietary intervention to prevent osteoporosis, alongside calcium and vitamin D.
Scientists have discovered that grapefruit pulp may help to improve bone health and reduce the risk of the bone thinning disease osteoporosis.
