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Scripps Research Institute, which recently won $369-million in state incentives to finance an expansion into Florida, has been awarded state contracts in the past - much smaller ones. Last year, the California research organization won a $150,000 contract from the Florida Department of Citrus to determine the effects of grapefruit - in fresh, juice and capsule form - on weight loss. Scripps' findings, to be released this week, may be a boon to Florida citrus growers. After 30 days, the group eating half a fresh grapefruit three times a day had the highest weight loss, followed by those who took their grapefruit in new capsule form. Those drinking grapefruit juice reported the lowest weight loss.
Daryl Thompson, a Winter Haven biochemical researcher, developed the grapefruit capsule and worked with the state on the study. He said his research showed grapefruit had certain compounds that inhibit enzymes, preventing the absorption of excess dietary fats and carbohydrates. "So by eating grapefruit, you can lose weight without altering your diet at all," he said.
State officials and Thompson hope the Scripps report will boost sales of grapefruit. An estimated 42-million boxes of grapefruit are expected to be harvested in Florida this season, up 9 percent from a year ago. Each box is 90 pounds.
Thompson, whose capsules are made using the whole grapefruit, including peel, rind and juice, hopes people who shun the tart taste of the fruit will buy his product, which is available in drug and health food stores.
"Since these capsules are manufactured from fresh, whole fruit, buying a bottle of capsules translates to buying grapefruit off the tree," he said.