Seven million in England told 'don't eat this fruit' due to cholesterol drug side effects

Brits are being cautioned about the hidden dangers lurking in their fruit bowls, as experts warn that certain healthy foods could clash with vital medications.

In England, a staggering 5.3 million people were prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins or ezetimibe by GPs in 2023-3, marking an all-time high and a notable jump from the previous year. With an estimated 7-8 million adults in the UK relying on statins, they've become a linchpin in thwarting cardiovascular diseases.

Yet, Dipa Kamdar, a senior lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at Kingston University, has raised the alarm over the risks of grapefruit for those on specific medications. In an article for The Conversation, Kamdar cautions: "While there are many benefits that can come from following a healthier diet, it's important that any diet changes are made carefully. This is especially true if you're someone who takes a prescription drug, as many health food staples can negatively interact with them."

Ms Kamdar further elucidates the peril of grapefruit juice, noting: "To break down some prescription drugs in the body, the liver uses enzymes called cytochrome P450. But grapefruit juice contains chemical compounds called furanocoumarins which can block the action of these enzymes. If this happens, some drugs can accumulate in the body."

Grapefruit juice, a seemingly innocuous breakfast staple, could spell disaster for those on certain medications, warns a health expert. "This includes ciclosporin, a drug that's commonly used to prevent organ transplant rejection and manage symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and skin conditions such as psoriasis. A build-up of ciclosporin can cause many side-effects, ranging from mild nausea and vomiting to kidney and liver damage."

Ms Kamdar highlighted its impact on anti-cholesterol medication: "Statins, often used to treat high cholesterol levels and prevent heart attacks and strokes, can also be affected by grapefruit juice through the same mechanism. Increased statin levels in the body can raise the risk of side-effects, including muscle breakdown, which is rare but serious."

The warning doesn't stop there, with the specialist cautioning: "Many other drugs can potentially interact with grapefruit juice as well – including amlodipine (a common high blood pressure drug) and sildenafil (an erectile dysfunction drug). If you take any of these prescriptions drugs, it's best to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before drinking even small amounts of grapefruit juice. It may even be best to avoid it altogether."

Echoing the sentiment, the NHS advises: "Grapefruit juice can affect some statins and increase your risk of side effects. A doctor may advise you to avoid it completely or only consume small quantities."

The British Heart Foundation reinforces this message, stating: "You may be told to avoid eating and drinking grapefruit while taking certain statins. This is because it can increase the amount of statin in your blood, which can increase the risk of side effects.

"Do not eat or drink grapefruit if you're taking simvastatin. If you take atorvastatin, you can have grapefruit and grapefruit juice, but have it only occasionally and not a large quantity. If you take another type of statin, grapefruit is not thought to be a problem."

People are often prescribed statins as a means to reduce their cholesterol levels, thus decreasing the likelihood of heart-related illnesses and issues within the circulatory system.

Statins help lower the cholesterol level in your blood. This helps lower your risk of heart and circulatory conditions, such as: