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100% grapefruit juice naturally contains a high percentage of water – almost 90 percent. It also contains electrolytes, such as potassium, magnesium and calcium (in fortified juice) which can aid in fluid balance. 100% grapefruit juice can be a good beverage of choice to support fluid balance!
Water is critical for your health as it is the main component of all cells. Water assists in the passage of fluids such as oxygenated blood into the cell and is involved in an abundance of cellular processes.1 Adequate hydration is extremely important for the body to maintain proper function including maintaining body temperature, regulating blood pressure, and transporting nutrients throughout your body.1 Adequate hydration may even support the appearance of healthy skin by improving skin elasticity.2
Electrolytes include nutrients such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium. In fluids, these nutrients carry an electric charge which allow muscles to contract and nerves to transmit signals. Electrolytes are critical for the human body to function. Your heart could not beat without them.
Electrolytes are lost throughout the day with fluid losses, especially with sweat. Plain or pure water contains few if any electrolytes, so you must replace lost electrolytes by consuming foods that contain these nutrients. Drinking fluids, such as 100% grapefruit juice, that contain both water and electrolytes may help support hydration.
Potassium is the major electrolyte within all cells. It helps to balance fluid in the body by having a strong relationship with sodium, the major electrolyte in the blood and outside of the cells. Most people do not get enough potassium and consume too much sodium.3 An 8-ounce glass of 100% grapefruit juice delivers 6% of the recommended Daily Value for potassium, while one-half of a medium fresh grapefruit contributes 4% of the Daily Value.*
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is essential in the regulation of muscle contraction, cardiac excitability (current flow through cardiac cells), blood pressure, and other vital processes.5 An 8-ounce glass of 100% grapefruit juice delivers 6% of the recommended Daily Value for magnesium.*
Calcium is found in fortified varieties of grapefruit juice. Calcium has many functions in the body and that includes playing an important role in muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and the contraction and relaxation of the cardiovascular system.6 Eight ounces of fortified grapefruit juice is an excellent source of calcium providing 25% of the recommended Daily Value, similar to an equal serving of milk.4*
The amount of water needed each day varies by age, gender and lifestage:1
| Age/Gender | Daily Total Fluid Requirements (from food and beverages) |
Daily Water Needs from Beverages and Drinking Water |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 years | 6 cups | 4 cups |
| 4-8 years | 7 cups | 5 cups |
| 9-13 years | 9-10 cups† | 7-8 cups† |
| 14-18 years | 10-14 cups† | 8-11 cups† |
| Adult males | 16 cups | 13 cups |
| Adult females | 12 cups | 9 cups |
| Pregnant women | 13 cups | 10 cups |
| Breastfeeding women | 16 cups | 13 cups |
Fluid needs are increased during physical activity, exposure to heat or cold, with increased altitude, wounds, persistent diarrhea or vomiting, fever, burns, certain medications (e.g. diuretics), and during pregnancy and breastfeeding.1,7
Dehydration may produce symptoms of thirst, fatigue, darkening and reduction of urine, and may affect cognition and motor control.1 Indeed, poor physical performance due to dehydration, such as with sports activities in warm weather, is well-documented.8
Most people can maintain adequate hydration by drinking when thirsty and eating a healthy diet.1 However, both underhydration and overhydration (due to lack of electrolytes by overconsuming pure water) can impair performance, particularly in athletes.9
Individuals may benefit from fluids with carbohydrates and/or electrolytes during extensive periods of exercise, and beverages that appeal to taste preferences may encourage individuals to drink.9 Thus, grapefruit juice may be a good choice to support hydration and offers a healthier alternative to branded sports drinks that contain added sugar.
Here are a few things you can do to help reduce your risk of getting kidney stones:
Dietary citrate, the usual form of citric acid in solution, is a well-known inhibitor of the formation of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones, as it increases alkalinity of urine (increases pH) and increases citrate excretion.11 Citrus and citrus juices contain both citrate and potassium, which may aid in pH balance of the urine and reduce the risk of calcium loss from the bones.11,12
Multiple reviews, including a meta-analysis, concluded that the consumption of fruit juices, as a source of dietary citrate, can provide alkalization of urine and increase citrate excretion while providing fluid, which in turn reduces the risk of kidney stone formation.11-13 Indeed, researchers have observed the beneficial effects of increased urinary citrate with lemon juice specifically14-16 as well as citrus juices in general.17
A large study that included 194,095 men and women over a median follow-up of more than 8 years reported no significant association between grapefruit juice consumption and increased risk of kidney stones.18
* Daily Value: Based on a 2000 calorie diet. FDA rounding rules applied when calculating percent DV based upon 2018 rules. Information is not intended for labeling food in packaged form. Nutrient values may vary based on brand or product types.
P.O. Box 9010
Bartow, FL 33831-9010 US
Phone: 863-537-3999
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