Characteristics of blond and red Star Ruby Jaffa grapefruits (Citrus paradisi): Results of the studies in vitro, in vivo and on patients suffering from atherosclerosis

The purpose of this study was to investigate blond and red Star Ruby Jaffa grapefruits (in vitro and in vivo) as a supplement to atherosclerosis preventing diets. It was found that the contents of the bioactive compounds, especially phenolics and the antioxidant capacity of the red grapefruits, are higher than in blond cultivar. Diets supplemented with red grapefruits significantly hindered the rise in the plasma lipid levels in cholesterol fed rats. Diets supplemented with red grapefruits significantly decreased the plasma lipid levels, especially triglycerides in patients suffering from coronary atherosclerosis and related hyperlipidemia: a) total cholesterol (TC) by 15.5% and 7.6% b) low density lipid cholesterol (LDL-C): by 20.3% and 10.7% c) total triglycerides (TG) by 27.2%, and 5.6%, for experimental group (EG1, red grapefruit) and EG2, blond grapefruit, respectively. Only the EG1 patients registered a significant decrease in hypertriglyceridemia. In conclusion, the combined results of the in vitro, in vivo and on humans investigations are a solid basis for recommendation to include red grapefruit in atherosclerosis preventive diet.