Written question asked by Howard Stoate (Labour) on Friday, 17 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 October 2004. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 October 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment (a) his Department and (b) the NHS have made of the possible health benefits to individuals of the regular consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice.

Answer: Dr. Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment (a) his Department and (b) the NHS have made of the possible health benefits to individuals of the regular consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice. [190017] Miss Melanie Johnson: We are not aware of any studies that focus specifically on the potential health benefits of consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice. However, there is clear and growing evidence for the protective effects of eating fruit and vegetables against chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and cancer. Eating at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day on average could lead to estimated reductions of up to 20 per cent., in overall deaths from such diseases.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 425 c791W; 190017
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Consumption Nutrition Preventive medicine Research Fruit juices Citrus fruit
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk