Doctors assessed the benefits and risks of drinking coffee with grapefruit
Coffee and grapefruit are often referred to as a combination that helps keep you awake longer. It is believed that the substances contained in citrus can slow down the breakdown of caffeine in the body. To what extent this theory is confirmed and what risks such an effect can carry, gastroenterologists explained. All the details are in the Izvestia article.
The mechanism of action on the body
According to Ekaterina Kashukh, an expert doctor at the Hemotest Laboratory, a gastroenterologist, grapefruit contains biologically active substances naringin and furanocoumarins, which can affect the work of liver enzymes. In particular, they inhibit the enzyme CYP1A2, responsible for the breakdown of the main part of caffeine in the body. Theoretically, this can lead to a longer retention of the concentration of caffeine in the blood, but scientific evidence on this issue remains contradictory.
The specialist stressed that the available studies do not allow us to speak with confidence about a noticeable increase in the invigorating effect. The metabolic rate depends on individual characteristics, age and state of health.
"It is important to understand that even if grapefruit does affect the rate of caffeine metabolism, this does not mean that it will necessarily make a person more alert or energetic," notes Ekaterina Kashukh.
Health risks and side effects
Slowing down the elimination of caffeine can cause undesirable reactions, especially in sensitive people. These include increased anxiety, rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, trembling in the hands and sleep problems. Experts do not recommend combining these products for liver diseases, hypertension and arrhythmias.
"The combination of coffee and grapefruit can increase the side effects in sensitive people: anxiety, palpitations, insomnia. If you consume more than 200 mg of caffeine at a time (about two cups of strong coffee), the risk of side effects increases," said Evgeny Belousov, a gastroenterologist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic).
He pointed out that the interaction of grapefruit substances with enzymes can last from one to three days. For children under 12 years of age, the use of caffeine is not recommended at all, as it provokes sleep disorders and internal tension in them.
Interaction with medications
Special care should be taken by people taking medications. Grapefruit can alter the metabolism of statins, antiarrhythmic drugs, and hypertension medications. For example, when taking losartan, the fetus may reduce the effectiveness of therapy by blocking the conversion of the drug into its active form.
Experts advise discussing the diet in advance with your doctor when taking any medications on an ongoing basis.
"It is much more important to remember not about the possible effect of grapefruit on caffeine, but about its ability to interact with medications," says Ekaterina Kashukh.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
