What are the禁忌 (taboos) of eating pomelo?

In general, contraindications for consuming grapefruit include: individuals with cold body constitution should avoid it, patients with kidney disease should not eat it, people prone to allergies should avoid it, those taking antihypertensive medications should refrain from it, and it should not be consumed together with milk. If adverse reactions occur after eating grapefruit, prompt medical attention is recommended. The detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Individuals with a cold body constitution should avoid grapefruit: Grapefruit has a cooling nature, and consumption may increase internal coldness, worsening symptoms associated with a cold constitution, such as cold hands and feet or diarrhea. Therefore, people with a naturally cold body type should avoid eating grapefruit to prevent exacerbating these symptoms.

2. Patients with kidney disease should avoid grapefruit: Grapefruit is rich in potassium. In individuals with impaired kidney function, the kidneys cannot effectively excrete excess potassium ions, leading to elevated blood potassium levels. Hyperkalemia can harm the heart and muscles, and in severe cases, may even be life-threatening. Therefore, patients with kidney disease should avoid high-potassium fruits like grapefruit to reduce strain on the kidneys.

3. Allergic individuals should avoid grapefruit: Grapefruit contains allergens such as pollen proteins, which may trigger allergic reactions. Symptoms may include skin redness, itching, and difficulty breathing; in severe cases, anaphylactic shock could occur. People allergic to grapefruit or other fruits should avoid consuming it to prevent adverse reactions.

4. Individuals taking antihypertensive medications should avoid grapefruit: Grapefruit contains naringenin, which may interact with certain blood pressure-lowering drugs by slowing their metabolism, thereby increasing blood drug concentrations. This raises the risk of side effects and toxicity from the medication. Therefore, people on antihypertensive therapy should avoid grapefruit to ensure drug efficacy and safety.

5. Avoid consuming grapefruit with milk: Milk is rich in protein and calcium. Consuming it together with grapefruit is not advisable because the acidic components in grapefruit may react with proteins and calcium, causing protein denaturation and calcium precipitation, which impairs digestion and nutrient absorption.

In daily life, grapefruit should be consumed in moderation, along with a balanced diet, to support overall health.