Just outside our humble house in the farm, growing close to the patio are trees that bear a type of fruit that I so love to eat, the pomelo (Citrus maxima or Citrus grandis). And these particular trees produce an excellent quality of pomelos. But now this is a fruit that I could only touch but could no longer eat. How come?
My doctor cautioned me to refrain from consuming grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi) products (fruit, juice, etc.) because it may interact with my prescription medication to lower my blood cholesterol level. There's something in the chemical make up of this fruit that affects the metabolism of some medications rendering them dangerous. This culprit has not been pinpointed to a certainty yet but one suspect is the chemical furanocoumarins. And what has grapefruit got to do with pomelo?
The grapefruit is a hybrid which came into existence by crossing a pomelo with an orange. Since some chemical compounds in grapefruits like furanocoumarins are also found in high amounts in pomelos, it can be assumed that consuming pomelo is also a big NO, and this assumption is supported by some online literatures. So rather than second guess and endanger my earthly existence, I would rather err on the side of caution.
For several years now, every time I go on vacation to the farm our pomelo trees beckon me to come and partake of their fruits, especially those that are hanging low and at an arm's reach. Weak as I am, their seduction draws me to touch and admire their fruits only to turn back and slowly walk away from these luscious temptations.
6 comments:
Oh poor you SR, it really is solitude rising to the max! haha. I didn't know about what you discussed. I've read about furanocoumarins but i haven't read yet about its interaction with certain drugs. It's good your doctors are very well informed, warning you even if there are no conclusive evidences yet. I wonder about those with the same conditions here in the country. Just like one of my experiences with a doctor in the past, she is the top drawer for patients in the whole hospital, however she did not know the advances in her profession. When i told her about what i read, she accepted her ignorance, then she still collected the full professional fee from me. Shouldn't she the one who should pay me for the information she learned from me, her patient! I was totally disappointed with that incident. You should be very thankful that you are in that country, privileged! And thanks for the info, now i will search for it.
My daughter loves pomelo. It's sad to hear that it is a forbidden fruit for you. I hope someday, you'll be so healthy, you do not need those medication. Then you can eat whatever you want. May the day come sooner than later. :)
Hello Andrea,
I think there are bad doctors in every place. I've had a bad experience with one doctor here too. He's an endocrinologist and since he's got specialization of course he charges more than a regular family doctor. I was suffering from so many symptoms that I didn't know was due to my illness and he didn't bother to let me know about these things. My regular doctor was able to help me deal with these symptoms and he (the endocrinologist) got mad at me when he learned that I was also seeking help from my regular doctor. That was the last day I saw him...LOL.
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Hello One,
It's good that your daughter loves this fruit. The only thing I don't like about pomelo is the extra effort needed to get to the edible part.
I think the problem is partly my fault, my laziness and couch potato habit...LOL. Had I been exercising regularly I might have avoided this problem.
I love pomeloes, especially the sweet ones but don't eat them very often. You have a good harvest of pomelos. So sorry to hear about the forbidden part. I didn't know about the effect to medication either. Maybe the pomeloes can be the 'reward' to spur you towards more execercising ;>)
Hello Autumn Belle,
When I was waayyyyy younger my father would always bring a bag of pomelos from the farm to our apartment in the city where I was studying. He knew I can consume them all in a matter of days.
Maybe if there are pomelos where I currently live it would motivate me to exercise... LOL.
nice opinion.. thanks for sharing....
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