Whole food · Fruits and Fruit Juices
Photo: Wikipedia
Canned grapefruit sections in light syrup are tender, jewel-like segments preserved in a gently sweetened liquid, offering a bright, tangy-sweet flavor with a soft, juicy texture. With only 60 kcal per 100g and minimal fat, they provide a light, refreshing option that is naturally low in calories while delivering a modest 15g of sugar from both the fruit and the syrup.
Calorie split: 3% protein · 95% carbs · 1% fat
↓ Full nutritionPeople love canned grapefruit sections for their bright, tangy-sweet flavor and satisfying, juicy texture that requires no peeling or preparation. They are a nostalgic, versatile staple in breakfasts, salads, and desserts, cherished for their ability to add a refreshing citrus punch year-round.
The light syrup adds about 15g of sugar per 100g, which can cause blood-sugar spikes, and grapefruit is known to interact with certain medications. To counteract this, pair the sections with protein or healthy fats like Greek yogurt or nuts to slow sugar absorption, and consult a doctor if you take medications that may interact with grapefruit.
Grapefruit is a relatively recent hybrid, believed to have originated in Barbados in the 18th century as a cross between the sweet orange and the pomelo.
| Water | 83.6 g |
| Energy | 60.0 kcal |
| Energy | 251 kj |
| Protein | 0.56 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.10 g |
| Ash | 0.31 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 15.4 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.40 g |
| Total Sugars | 15.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 14.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.40 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 10.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 10.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 129 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 2.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.08 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.90 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 21.3 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.02 mg |
| Niacin | 0.24 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.12 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.02 mg |
| Folate, total | 9.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 9.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 5.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.09 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.01 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Tryptophan | 0.01 g |
| Threonine | 0.01 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.01 g |
| Leucine | 0.01 g |
| Lysine | 0.01 g |
| Methionine | 0.01 g |
| Cystine | 0.01 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.03 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.01 g |
| Valine | 0.01 g |
| Arginine | 0.06 g |
| Histidine | 0.01 g |
| Alanine | 0.02 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.10 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.14 g |
| Glycine | 0.01 g |
| Proline | 0.05 g |
| Serine | 0.02 g |
Are canned grapefruit sections healthy?
They are low in calories and fat, providing some vitamins and fiber, but the light syrup adds sugar, so they are best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Can I use canned grapefruit in cooking?
Yes, they work well in salads, desserts, sauces, and even savory dishes like citrus-glazed chicken, adding a sweet-tart flavor.
How does canned grapefruit differ from fresh?
Canned grapefruit is softer in texture and has added sugar from the syrup, while fresh grapefruit is firmer and has a more pronounced tartness without added sugars.
Is grapefruit safe for everyone?
No, grapefruit can interact with certain medications, such as statins and some blood pressure drugs, so individuals on these medications should consult their doctor.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.02 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.