Grapefruit Health Benefits, Nutrition and Fruit Facts

Health Benefits of Eating Grapefruit


Eating grapefruit or drinking the juice has many health advantages as the fruit provides you with loads of essential nutrients, which function well to help maintain the wellbeing of your body. Below are some common health properties of grapefruit:

  • Good for Weight Loss

    Grapefruit is high in water, low in sodium and more importantly, abundant with enzymes that assist in burning excessive fats. All these attributes make the fruit a good diet to improve your metabolism and contribute to weight loss.
     

  • Relieve Symptoms of Arthritis

    Grapefruit is an excellent source of salicylic acid. The compound is effective in breaking down the inorganic calcium in your body to prevent arthritis. Consuming the mixture of apple cider vinegar and grapefruit juice help relieves the symptoms of arthritis.
     

  • Treat Type 2 Diabetes

    Grapefruit is loaded with naringenin, an antioxidant compound that is able to increase the sensitivity of the body towards insulin. It also aids the patients to keep a healthy weight, which plays a significant role in treatment of diabetes.
     

  • Protect against Cancer

    Grapefruit is also rich in a carotenoid pigment known as lycopene. This compound gives the red color of the fruit and is a strong agent to get rid of the damaging free radicals.
     

  • Cure Influenza and Fever

    Drinking freshly squeezed grapefruit juice or eating its pulp helps cure common cold, flu and fever. It eliminates burning sensation during fever. It is packed with the potent antioxidant vitamin C, which helps your body recover fast from cold and flu.
     

  • Promote Digestion

    Grapefruit contains a substantial amount of dietary fiber known as pectin. This compound is useful in boosting the flow of digestive juices in the stomach and thus enhancing the digestive systems.
     

  • Heal Malaria

    Grapefruit pulp or juice has a great amount of quinine, a natural compound that is capable of treating malaria.
     

  • Natural Remedy for Constipation

    Drinking fresh grapefruit juice in the morning is beneficial to get rid of constipation as it helps stimulating your colon. Studies have found foods rich in dietary fiber are vital for people with regular constipation problem.
     

  • Grapefruit Seed Extract Health Properties

    Grapefruit seed extract is full of the powerful polyphenolic compounds, which are strong antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal or in general, antimicrobial. The extract has therapeutic effects such as treating sore throats, alkalizing the body, and healing intestinal conditions. 

Facts about Grapefruit


Fresh Citrus Fruit: Red Grapefruit

Grapefruit (scientific name Citrus paradise) was initially found in the Caribbean islands, Barbados. Currently, it is one of the most common cultivated fruits in the U.S., especially in California, Florida and other southern states with tropical climates. The nutritious fruit is actually a natural hybrid of orange and pomelo. The plant can grow to 15 m in height and bears plenty of yellowish orange colored fruit.

Each grapefruit is largely oblate, different in size from 8 to 10 cm, with the weight up to 150 g. Normally, the fruit has a tougher and thicker skin compared to that of oranges. The pulp is segmented, resembling the oranges. It is juicy, acidic, and different in color based on different cultivars. You may see grapefruit in red, pink or even white pulps; each has different levels of sweetness. 

Grapefruit Nutrition Facts and Calories
 

Nutritional Value of 1 cup (230 g) Fresh Grapefruit
Calories 97 kcal
Total Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 0 mg
Total Carbohydrates 25 g
Dietary Fiber 4 g
Sugars 16 g
Protein 2 g

 

Grapefruit Recipe


Ginger, Lime and Grapefruit Juice Recipe

Serve: 2

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ginger, peeled and grated
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • Juice of 3 limes
  • Juice of 4 grapefruits

Preparation:

  1. Combine the ginger, sugar and water in a small pan. Simmer for 6 minutes on medium heat, then pour to a glass. Set aside for 10 minutes, then put in the refrigerator to cool.
  2. Combine the lime and grapefruit juices in a pitcher. Add the cooled ginger mixture. Stir well and serve.

Grapefruit Side Effects

Grapefruit may cause drug interaction especially medicines for allergies, depression, hypertension, heart palpitations, impotence, and seizures.
 

Related Fruits Articles:
 

Lemon Health Benefits Banana Health Benefits Pomegranate Health Benefits
Pear Health Benefits Cranberry Health Benefits Strawberry Health Benefits



More Health Benefits of Fruit