Grapefruit seed extract
Grapefruit seed extract is a natural product that is obtained from the ground grapefruit seeds with the help of an extraction agent. Grapefruit seeds are waste products from the processing of grapefruit. Glycerin is often used for extraction . In the past, grapefruit seed extract has been ascribed various efficacies for a variety of diseases. In particular, antiviral, antibacterial and fungicidal effects have been described, e.g. B. in candidiasis .
An in-vitro study carried out at the end of the 1990s as part of a diploma thesis showed that the antimicrobial effect of grapefruit seed extract preparations was due to the contained or added preservatives benzethonium chloride and triclosan . Both preservatives are not permitted as food additives in Germany and are only permitted to a very limited extent in cosmetics. Preservative-free preparations, however, did not show the ascribed effectiveness. In comparison, the samples with the pure preservatives without grapefruit seed extract showed the same effectiveness as the commercial samples of grapefruit seed extract that contained preservatives. It remained unclear how the mentioned preservatives got into the extracts. In 1998 the former Federal Institute for Consumer Health Protection and Veterinary Medicine (BgVV) advised caution with products with grapefruit seed extracts, as the prohibited addition of benzethonium chloride could lead to health hazards.
There are many grapefruit seed extract products available on the market today without the additives mentioned above. The health-promoting effect possible with these products is based on the content of vitamin C and the secondary plant substances , the flavonoids .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Thomas von Woedtke, Barbara Schlueter, Peter Pflegel, Ulrike Lindequist, Greifswald: The miraculous nature of grapefruit seed extract. In: Pharmaceutical newspaper. 1999 ( online ).
- ↑ Federal Institute for Consumer Health Protection and Veterinary Medicine: BgVV advises caution with products with grapefruit seed extracts , dated July 21, 1998.