Grapefruit

The grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi) is a subtropical citrus tree known for its relatively large, sour to semi-sweet, somewhat bitter fruit. The flesh of the fruit is segmented and varies in color from pale yellow to dark red. Grapefruit is a citrus hybrid that originated in Barbados in the 18th century. It is an accidental cross between the sweet orange (C. × sinensis) and the pomelo (C. maxima), both of which were introduced from Asia in the 17th century. It has also been called the 'forbidden fruit'. In the past it was called the pomelo, but that term is now mostly used as the common name for Citrus maxima. Grapefruit–drug interactions are common, as the juice contains furanocoumarins that interfere with the metabolism of many drugs. This can prolong and intensify the effects of those drugs, leading to multiple side-effects such as abnormal heart rhythms, bleeding inside the stomach, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and dizziness.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Grapefruit", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.