Pomelo: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects By Dr. Smita Barode

Introduction

Pomelo is a natural citrus fruit and highly nutritious and resembles grapefruit, but the size of pomelo is large. Pomelo has its origin in subtropical, tropical southeast Asia and is the most widely cultivated fruit crop in the world.^1,2 The scientific name of pomelo is Citrus grandis (L) which belongs to the Rutaceae family. Pomelo is also referred to as Pummelo, Chinese grapefruit, and Shaddock fruit.^2,3 The taste of pomelo is slightly acidic and sweet with a hint of bitterness, which makes it one of the five most consumed citrus fruit around the world. The data released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation in 2019, stated that worldwide Pomelo production is around 9.3 million metric tons and the USA is the leading producer with approximately 5 million metric tons.³ The important nutritional constituents like vitamin C, para insulin, folic acid, potassium, pectin, and chromium.⁴ The composition of the fruit can vary with the conditions like fruit size, maturity, horticulture conditions, climate, and storage.³ Let us discuss more beneficial properties of the Pomelo. 

Did you know?

• Pomelo contains antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, which help protect against chronic diseases. source: PMC
• Pomelo consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and stroke. source: PMC

Nutritional Value of Pomelo

The nutrient value of pomelo is: 

• Water: 89.1 g (per 100 g)
• Energy: 38 kcal (per 100 g)
• Protein: 0.76 g (per 100 g)
• Fat: 0.04 g (per 100 g)
• Carbohydrate: 9.62 g (per 100 g)
• Iron: 0.11 mg (per 100 g)
• Fibre (Total Dietary): 1 g (per 100 g)
• Potassium: 216 mg (per 100 g)
• Calcium: 4 mg (per 100 g)
• Sodium: 1 mg (per 100 g)
• Vitamin C: 61 mg (per 100 g)
• Magnesium: 6 mg (per 100 g)
• Phosphorus: 17 mg (per 100 g)
• Zinc: 0.08 mg (per 100 g)
• Manganese: 0.017 mg (per 100 g)
• Copper: 0.048 mg (per 100 g)
• Thiamine: 0.034 mg (per 100 g)
• Niacin: 0.22 mg (per 100 g)
• Riboflavin: 0.027 mg (per 100 g)
• Vitamin B-6: 0.036 mg (per 100 g)

Nutritional value of pomelo per 100 grams⁵ 

You will feel fuller for a longer period because of the protein and fibre in pomelo. This may bring down your cravings, which eventually leads to calorie reduction through portion control. Pomelo has a low-calorie count per serving as well. I strongly recommend foods like pomelo that may help you boost your nutrition while lowering your calorie intake if you’re attempting to lose weight.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Properties of Pomelo:

The properties of Pomelo are given as follows: 

• It might be antioxidant⁶ 
• It might be anti-inflammatory agent³ 
• It might decrease triglyceride level 
• It may be anticancer agent³ 
• It might be antihyperlipidemic (decrease serum cholesterol)⁷ 
• It might be antihyperglycemic (decrease glucose level)⁷ 
• It might be antithrombotic (inhibit platelet aggregation)³ 
• It may enhance Immunity³ 
• It might be vasodilator³ 
• It might act as an antihypertensive (decrease blood pressure)⁷ 

From my perspective, consuming pomelos might be good for your heart by lowering your blood’s triglyceride and cholesterol levels. In one research, rats who were fed concentrated pomelo extract had lower triglyceride levels (by up to 21%) and LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol levels (by up to 41%). Pomelo may lower dangerous lipids in circulation by inhibiting their absorption during digestion, according to different researches.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Potential Uses of Pomelo for Overall Health:

Pomelo may be a rich source of nutrients and some of the potential uses of Pomelo are: 

1. Potential Use of Pomelo in Diabetes

Pomelo contains flavonoids like quercetin, hesperetin and naringin. The flavonoids in the pomelo may bind to starch leading to an increase in hepatic glycolysis (breakdown of glucose) and a decrease in gluconeogenesis (glucose formation). The study by Lin et al. 2021 showed that ethanolic extract of pomelo may reduce hyperglycemia by upregulating the insulin concentration. If you have diabetes consult your doctor and do not self-medicate.⁷ 

2. Potential Use of Pomelo in Skin Ageing

The collagenase and elastase enzymes are responsible for the breakdown of collagen, resulting in skin aging. The free radicals present in the body may increase the production of collagenase and elastase. An increase in the production of these enzymes can accelerate skin aging. The antioxidant property of pomelo may help in managing skin aging by scavenging free radicals. The study by Lukitaningsih et al. 2021, evaluated the physical and chemical stability parameters of the pomelo extract in the semisolid formulation and pomelo may show the free radical scavenging property. This may help in the anti-collagenase and anti-elastase activity of the pomelo extract.⁸ If you have skin-related problems consult your doctor and do not self-medicate.  

3. Potential Use of Pomelo as Antimicrobial

Pomelo peel extract may benefit the agriculture industry. Pomelo may be used to inhibit microbes that cause disease in the plant. Staphylococcus aureus is one such microbe that can contaminate food (fresh or packed). To control the contamination of food, Sawanit aichayawanich 2013, produced a biodegradable film containing pomelo peel extract to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus. The essential oil in the pomelo peel extract may destroy the phospholipids layer of the microbe leading to leakage of cytoplasm and may also inhibit the essential enzyme of Staphylococcus aureus.⁹ 

4. Potential Use of Pomelo as a Repellent

Pomelo may contain volatile oils that have the aroma of citrus which play an important role in the insecticidal, fragrance, and repellent properties. Terpenoids like Linalool, Neorl, geraniol, nootkatone, indole, and cadinene are important aromatic compounds that may be potential for flavor, cosmetic, insecticidal, repellent and fragrance industries. These compounds reach the maximum concentration level at maturation providing maximum benefits.³   

Though studies show the benefits of Pomelo in various conditions, these are insufficient, and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of Pomelo on human health. 

Our cells are harmed by free radicals, especially if our surroundings are full of them. Antioxidants may aid in repairing that damage, lowering our chance of developing cancer. From my knowledge, Pomelos are well-known for containing significant amounts of vitamin C, a potent antioxidant, as well as other antioxidant chemicals such as naringenin and naringin, which are also frequently present in citrus fruits, and lycopene, commonly found in tomatoes.

Dr. Smita barode, BAMS, MS

How to Use Pomelo?

Pomelo or Chinese grapefruit can be used in the following ways:  

• Pomelo is the largest citrus fruit and is often consumed after peeling the albedo (outer covering) rather than processing it into the juice.⁴
• Peel of Pomelo may be used traditionally for beauty purposes.⁶ 

One should always consult an Ayurvedic physician before consuming pomelo in large quantities or for therapeutic benefits. They will be the best person to prescribe you the correct form and dosage as per your health condition. 

Side Effects of Pomelo

Pomelo being a fruit does not have any side effects. However, children and elders should take precautions and consult an ayurvedic physician in case they are on medication, before consuming pomelo. Pharmacists and health professionals should create awareness among people and educate them about the potential side effects of the drug with fruit juices. 

Precautions to Take with Pomelo

• Avoid drinking pomelo juice before or immediately after taking phosphodiesterase inhibitors.¹⁰ 
• Adults or elderly who ingest medication are potentially susceptible to various pharmacological interactions and should always consult their doctors before consuming pomelo juice with medicine.  
• Extra care should be taken by pregnant and lactating mothers. Pomelo fruit or juice must be taken only after the doctor’s advice. 

Interactions with Other Drugs:

Consuming pomelo juice with sildenafil (which belongs to the phosphodiesterase5 medicine group) may reduce the bioavailability of sildenafil. The bioavailability of Cyclosporine may increase with the intake of pomelo juice. The increase in the blood level of tacrolimus is also reported after the consumption of 100gm of pomelo.¹⁰ You should consult doctors or ayurvedic physicians before taking fruit juice with drugs.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References:

1. Huang S, Dong T, Xiong B, Qiu X, Sun G, Liao L, Fan N, Wang X, Deng H, He S, Hu Y. Variation in the content and composition of limonoids in fruits of four pomelo varieties during fruit development: The natural debittering process in pomelo fruits. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. 2021 Jul 1;100:103928.Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889157521001289 

2. Gupta AK, Dhua S, Sahu PP, Abate G, Mishra P, Mastinu A. Variation in phytochemical, antioxidant and volatile composition of pomelo fruit (citrus grandis (L.) osbeck) during seasonal growth and development. Plants. 2021 Sep 17;10(9):1941. Available from https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/9/1941   

3. U.S. Department of agriculture, Agriculture research service, Food data central, Pummelo raw. Published on 4 January 2019, [Cited on 28 September2022]. Available form: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/167754/nutrients. 

4. Toh JJ, Khoo HE, Azrina A. Comparison of antioxidant properties of pomelo [Citrus Grandis (L) Osbeck] varieties. International Food Research Journal. 2013 Oct 1;20(4). Available from: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/29752/

5. Lin LY, Huang CY, Chen KC, Peng RY. Pomelo fruit wastes are potentially valuable antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, antihypertensives, and antihyperglycemics. Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology. 2021 Jun;62(3):377-95. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13580-020-00325-8  

6. Lukitaningsih E, Saputro AH, Widiasri M, Khairunnisa N, Prabaswari N, Kuswahyuningsih R. In vitro antiaging analysis of topical pharmaceutical preparation containing a mixture of strawberry fruit, pomelo peel, and langsat fruit extracts. Indonesian Journal of Chemometrics and Pharmaceutical Analysis. 2020:53-. Available from: https://journal.ugm.ac.id/v3/IJCPA/article/view/603  

7. Aichayawanich S. The production conditions of biodegradable film containing pomelo peel extract for Staphylococcus aureus inhibition. วารสาร สมาคม วิศวกรรม เกษตร แห่ง ประเทศไทย. 2013;19(1). Available from: https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TSAEJ/article/view/64382  

8. Chen M, Zhou SY, Fabriaga E, Zhang PH, Zhou Q. Food-drug interactions precipitated by fruit juices other than grapefruit juice: An updated review. Journal of food and drug analysis. 2018 Apr 1;26(2):S61-71. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1021949818300371  

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