Grapefruit may be low in calories and loaded in vitamin C but when combined with certain medications, the results can be toxic. Scientists at the University of Florida have created a hybid fruit that has all the refreshing tartness of grapefruit without the dangerous compounds called furanocoumarins that can interact with certain blood pressure and heart medications, reports Scientific American.
"There are certain relatives of grapefruit that we call pummelo, some of which are very, very low or have no furanocoumarins in them at all. And we've crossed these with ordinary grapefruit." said Fred Gmitter, a citrus geneticist at the University of Florida. A bonus for grapefruit lovers - this new hybrid has no seeds.
Other foods contain furanocoumarins, including celery, lemons and certain parsnips. Physicians tend to advise patients on certain medications to avoid these foods. “So these should be as safe or safer than lemons or celery,” said Gmitter.