Blueberry vs. Grapefruit — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

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by Jack Yacoubian | Last updated on July 09, 2023

Medically reviewed by Ani Harutyunyan

Summary

It is essential to check blueberry and grapefruit drug-food interactions. Blueberry is richer in vitamin K, and grapefruit is richer in vitamins A and C. Blueberry is higher in carbs, mostly glucose and fructose, while grapefruit is richer in sucrose.

Table of contents

Introduction

Nutritional content comparison

Calories

Carbs

Fiber

Glycemic index

Proteins and fats

Vitamins

Minerals

Health impacts

Cardiovascular system

Interactions

References

Introduction

This article will compare blueberry and grapefruit, focusing on their nutritional content and health impacts.

We will compare 100g servings of raw types of blueberries and grapefruits.

Nutritional content comparison

84% of blueberry is water, and 88% of grapefruit is water.

This means that most fruits are water, and macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals are all distributed in the remaining.

As shown in the chart below, blueberry is slightly richer in carbohydrates. Please, read the more detailed information in the corresponding paragraphs.

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Blueberry

Grapefruit

Contains more Fats +135.7%

Contains more Carbs +35.9%

Contains more Other +60.9%

Equal in Protein - 0.77

Equal in Water - 88.06

Blueberry

Protein: 0.74 g

Fats: 0.33 g

Carbs: 14.49 g

Water: 84.21 g

Other: 0.23 g

Grapefruit

Protein: 0.77 g

Fats: 0.14 g

Carbs: 10.66 g

Water: 88.06 g

Other: 0.37 g

Contains more Fats +135.7%

Contains more Carbs +35.9%

Contains more Other +60.9%

Equal in Protein - 0.77

Equal in Water - 88.06

Calories

They are low-calorie fruits. Blueberries are slightly higher in calories due to their higher carb content. It contains 57 calories per 100g, compared to 42 calories in grapefruit.

Carbs

Blueberry is higher in carbs by 1.5 times. Blueberry is 4 times higher in glucose and fructose than grapefruit. Instead, grapefruit is richer in sucrose.

Fiber
Blueberries are richer in fiber compared to grapefruit. Blueberry contains 2.4g of fiber, and grapefruit contains 1.6g.

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Blueberry

Grapefruit

Contains more Starch +∞%

Contains more Glucose +203.1%

Contains more Fructose +180.8%

Contains more Sucrose +3090.9%

Blueberry

Starch: 0.03 g

Sucrose: 0.11 g

Glucose: 4.88 g

Fructose: 4.97 g

Lactose: 0 g

Maltose: 0 g

Galactose: 0 g

Grapefruit

Starch: 0 g

Sucrose: 3.51 g

Glucose: 1.61 g

Fructose: 1.77 g

Lactose: 0 g

Maltose: 0 g

Galactose: 0 g

Contains more Starch +∞%

Contains more Glucose +203.1%

Contains more Fructose +180.8%

Contains more Sucrose +3090.9%

Glycemic index

The glycemic index of blueberries is double of grapefruits. However, they are both classified as low glycemic index fruits.

Proteins and fats

They both contain negligible amounts of both proteins and fats.

Vitamins

Blueberries are richer in vitamin K. The amount of vitamin K in blueberries is remarkable. 300g of blueberries satisfy 50% of the daily recommended value of vitamin K. In comparison, grapefruits are richer in vitamins C and A.

The diagrams below display their vitamin distributions.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Blueberry

Grapefruit

Contains more Vitamin E +338.5%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +32.3%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +104.9%

Contains more Vitamin K +∞%

Contains more Vitamin A +2029.6%

Contains more Vitamin C +221.6%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +16.2%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +111.3%

Contains more Folate +116.7%

Equal in Vitamin B6 - 0.053

Blueberry

Grapefruit

Contains more Vitamin E +338.5%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +32.3%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +104.9%

Contains more Vitamin K +∞%

Contains more Vitamin A +2029.6%

Contains more Vitamin C +221.6%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +16.2%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +111.3%

Contains more Folate +116.7%

Equal in Vitamin B6 - 0.053

Minerals

The mineral profiles of both fruits are not very remarkable. However, blueberries contain higher amounts of copper than grapefruit.

Below we can see the mineral distribution diagrams.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Blueberry

Grapefruit

Contains more Iron +250%

Contains more Zinc +128.6%

Contains more Copper +78.1%

Contains more Manganese +1427.3%

Contains more Calcium +266.7%

Contains more Magnesium +50%

Contains more Phosphorus +50%

Contains more Potassium +75.3%

Contains less Sodium -100%

Equal in Selenium - 0.1

Blueberry

Grapefruit

Contains more Iron +250%

Contains more Zinc +128.6%

Contains more Copper +78.1%

Contains more Manganese +1427.3%

Contains more Calcium +266.7%

Contains more Magnesium +50%

Contains more Phosphorus +50%

Contains more Potassium +75.3%

Contains less Sodium -100%

Equal in Selenium - 0.1

Health impacts

This section will focus on the health impact differences each food provides.

In the case of blueberry, it is richer in vitamin K and anthocyanins, which are the leading different health impact providers.

Anthocyanins in blueberries have antioxidative properties, and it decreases oxidative stress, reducing risks of cellular damage, reducing risks of cancers, and risks of neurodegenerative diseases (1)․

Vitamin K reduces osteoporosis risks and controls insulin level spikes, reducing risks of diabetes development (2)(3)․

On the other hand, we have grapefruits that provide positive health impacts, mainly through their richer content of vitamin C, furanocoumarins, and pectin.

Furanocoumarins have anticarcinogenic properties. In parallel with vitamin C, it provides antioxidative properties.

Pectins in grapefruits provide antidiabetic properties and reduce hyperglycemia. In addition, pectins reduce blood lipid levels reducing the risks of atherosclerosis (5)(6)(7)(8)․

Cardiovascular system

Section reviewed by cardiologist Astghik Grigoryan

Blueberry may decrease the risk of coronary heart disease by decreasing total and LDL (bad cholesterol) concentrations in the blood (9). In contrast, grapefruit should not be consumed by people taking statins (Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Fluvastatin, and Lovastatin), which are essential for decreasing cholesterol levels in the blood.

Unlike grapefruit, daily blueberry consumption may lower arterial stiffness, decreasing systolic and diastolic pressures, possibly due to increased nitric oxide (a vital vasodilator) production (10).

As a result, blueberry, unlike grapefruit, has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system.

Interactions

Spikes or fluctuations in vitamin K levels while taking anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin can interact. Thus, it is important to keep the vitamin K levels stable and not increase them suddenly by consuming high amounts of blueberries if taking anticoagulation medications (4)․

Grapefruits should not be taken with certain medications such as lipid-lowering and hypertension. They affect the elimination and absorption of the drug, increasing their side effects (11)․

References

Author name: Jack Yacoubian

Education: Haigazian Medical University

Last updated: July 09, 2023

Medically reviewed by Ani Harutyunyan

Infographic

Infographic link

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Blueberry

Grapefruit

Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +135%

Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +305.6%

Contains less Saturated Fat -25%

Blueberry

Saturated Fat: 0.028 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 0.047 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 0.146 g

Grapefruit

Saturated Fat: 0.021 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 0.036 g

Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +135%

Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +305.6%

Contains less Saturated Fat -25%

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.


Lower in Sugar
Lower in Sodium
Lower in Saturated Fat
Lower in Glycemic Index
Lower in Cholesterol	Equal
Lower in price	Equal
Rich in minerals	Equal
Rich in vitamins	Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient			Opinion
Net carbs	12.09g	9.06g
Protein	0.74g	0.77g
Fats	0.33g	0.14g
Carbs	14.49g	10.66g
Calories	57kcal	42kcal
Starch	0.03g	0g
Fructose	4.97g	1.77g
Sugar	9.96g	6.89g
Fiber	2.4g	1.6g
Calcium	6mg	22mg
Iron	0.28mg	0.08mg
Magnesium	6mg	9mg
Phosphorus	12mg	18mg
Potassium	77mg	135mg
Sodium	1mg	0mg
Zinc	0.16mg	0.07mg
Copper	0.057mg	0.032mg
Manganese	0.336mg	0.022mg
Selenium	0.1µg	0.1µg
Vitamin A	54IU	1150IU
Vitamin A RAE	3µg	58µg
Vitamin E	0.57mg	0.13mg
Vitamin C	9.7mg	31.2mg
Vitamin B1	0.037mg	0.043mg
Vitamin B2	0.041mg	0.031mg
Vitamin B3	0.418mg	0.204mg
Vitamin B5	0.124mg	0.262mg
Vitamin B6	0.052mg	0.053mg
Folate	6µg	13µg
Vitamin K	19.3µg	0µg
Tryptophan	0.003mg	0.008mg
Threonine	0.02mg	0.013mg
Isoleucine	0.023mg	0.008mg
Leucine	0.044mg	0.015mg
Lysine	0.013mg	0.019mg
Methionine	0.012mg	0.007mg
Phenylalanine	0.026mg	0.013mg
Valine	0.031mg	0.015mg
Histidine	0.011mg	0.008mg
Saturated Fat	0.028g	0.021g
Monounsaturated Fat	0.047g	0.02g
Polyunsaturated fat	0.146g	0.036g

Which food is preferable for your diet?

Low Fats diet

Low Carbs diet

Low Calories diet

Low Glycemic Index diet

is better in case of low diet


Low Fats diet
Low Carbs diet
Low Calories diet
Low Glycemic Index diet

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Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).

Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score

12%

20%

Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

10%

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Sugar?

Grapefruit is lower in Sugar (difference - 3.07g)

Which food contains less Sodium?

Grapefruit contains less Sodium (difference - 1mg)

Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?

Grapefruit is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.007g)

Which food is lower in glycemic index?

Grapefruit is lower in glycemic index (difference - 28)

Which food contains less Cholesterol?

The foods are relatively equal in Cholesterol (0 mg)

Which food is cheaper?

The foods are relatively equal in price ($0.3)

Which food is richer in minerals?

It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.

Which food is richer in vitamins?

It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.