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Have High Blood Pressure. Can I Eat Grapefruit, Apples And Apples While Taking BP Medicine?

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Posted on Tue, 3 Sep 2013
Question: I have high blood pressure & love grapefruit apples & oranges can i still eat them while taking blood pressure pills.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Varnika J.P. (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
You can have oranges and apples but not grapefruit

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.

Grapefruit is generally taken as a nutraceutical food (part of a food that allegedly provides medicinal or health benefits).Its juice contains many compounds that can reduce hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and even the risk of cancer. However, for many people taking certain medications, grapefruit juice might actually better be termed a "nutrapollutical!" or causing opposite action.

This is due to-
the interaction of grapefruit juice with drugs is due to substance called furanocoumarins (or bergamottin), these may be responsible for the effects of grapefruit juice.

It is believed that furanocoumarins block the enzymes in the intestines that normally break down many drugs. One glass of grapefruit juice could elicit the maximum blocking effect, and the effect may persist for longer than 24 hours. Since the effects can last for such a prolonged period of time, grapefruit juice does not have to be taken at the same time as the medication in order for the interaction to occur.

These are medications with which grapefruit juice should NOT be consumed are:

-Statins
-Antihistamines
-Calcium channel blockers
-Psychiatric drugs: buspirone (Buspar), triazolam (Halcion), carbamazepine (Tegretol), diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), sertraline (Zoloft)
-Immune suppressants: cyclosporine (Neoral), (tacrolimus) Prograf
-Pain medications: Methadone
-Impotence drug (erectile dysfunction): sildenafil (Viagra)
-Ant-HIV medication: saquinavir (Invirase)
-Antiarrhythmics: amiodarone (Cordarone)

As for apples and oranges,
these foods are beneficial in reducing Blood Pressure.

-Apple has range of vitamins and anti-oxidants.It is important to eat the skin of the XXXXXXX as well as the fleshy fruit. This is because the skin contains six times more antioxidants than the flesh.
These inhibit the enzyme ACE(Angiotensin Converting Enzyme).

As for oranges-
Citrus fruits are best known for their high vitamin C content. Oranges are high in nutrition and low in calories. With a potassium content of 326 mg and no sodium, this is one of the best fruits that lower blood pressure.

The high Potassium and low sodium in some fruits will help in reducing the blood pressure.
Hence these foods should be consumed along with medication.

Since fruits contain many essential nutrients, vitamins and anti-oxidants besides potassium, it is one of the best types of food that can help lower your blood pressure. Here are some fruits that are high in potassium content and which help lower blood pressure.

Some of these are-

-Apricot
-Banana
-Avocado
-Cantaloupe
-Grapefruit
-Melons
-Prune

Some tips-

-Keep the fruit out on the counter or in the front of the fridge. That way you’ll be more likely to notice it and eat it.

-Choose color and variety in fruits. Go for yellow, green, orange and red fruits.

-Fruits salads are an interesting way to eat fruits.

-Get some fruits at snack time too.

-Go for variety in fruits. Try some new fruits.

Thank you for your query,
Wishing you good health.
Please contatc me for any follow up questions you have
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Varnika J.P.

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 273 Questions

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Have High Blood Pressure. Can I Eat Grapefruit, Apples And Apples While Taking BP Medicine?

Brief Answer:
You can have oranges and apples but not grapefruit

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.

Grapefruit is generally taken as a nutraceutical food (part of a food that allegedly provides medicinal or health benefits).Its juice contains many compounds that can reduce hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and even the risk of cancer. However, for many people taking certain medications, grapefruit juice might actually better be termed a "nutrapollutical!" or causing opposite action.

This is due to-
the interaction of grapefruit juice with drugs is due to substance called furanocoumarins (or bergamottin), these may be responsible for the effects of grapefruit juice.

It is believed that furanocoumarins block the enzymes in the intestines that normally break down many drugs. One glass of grapefruit juice could elicit the maximum blocking effect, and the effect may persist for longer than 24 hours. Since the effects can last for such a prolonged period of time, grapefruit juice does not have to be taken at the same time as the medication in order for the interaction to occur.

These are medications with which grapefruit juice should NOT be consumed are:

-Statins
-Antihistamines
-Calcium channel blockers
-Psychiatric drugs: buspirone (Buspar), triazolam (Halcion), carbamazepine (Tegretol), diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), sertraline (Zoloft)
-Immune suppressants: cyclosporine (Neoral), (tacrolimus) Prograf
-Pain medications: Methadone
-Impotence drug (erectile dysfunction): sildenafil (Viagra)
-Ant-HIV medication: saquinavir (Invirase)
-Antiarrhythmics: amiodarone (Cordarone)

As for apples and oranges,
these foods are beneficial in reducing Blood Pressure.

-Apple has range of vitamins and anti-oxidants.It is important to eat the skin of the XXXXXXX as well as the fleshy fruit. This is because the skin contains six times more antioxidants than the flesh.
These inhibit the enzyme ACE(Angiotensin Converting Enzyme).

As for oranges-
Citrus fruits are best known for their high vitamin C content. Oranges are high in nutrition and low in calories. With a potassium content of 326 mg and no sodium, this is one of the best fruits that lower blood pressure.

The high Potassium and low sodium in some fruits will help in reducing the blood pressure.
Hence these foods should be consumed along with medication.

Since fruits contain many essential nutrients, vitamins and anti-oxidants besides potassium, it is one of the best types of food that can help lower your blood pressure. Here are some fruits that are high in potassium content and which help lower blood pressure.

Some of these are-

-Apricot
-Banana
-Avocado
-Cantaloupe
-Grapefruit
-Melons
-Prune

Some tips-

-Keep the fruit out on the counter or in the front of the fridge. That way you’ll be more likely to notice it and eat it.

-Choose color and variety in fruits. Go for yellow, green, orange and red fruits.

-Fruits salads are an interesting way to eat fruits.

-Get some fruits at snack time too.

-Go for variety in fruits. Try some new fruits.

Thank you for your query,
Wishing you good health.
Please contatc me for any follow up questions you have