The Benefits Of Grapefruit

Grapefruit is a citrus fruit whose thick, orange-colored peel contains pulpy flesh with a unique bitter flavor. Whether you like to enjoy it in juice, as a starter or as a dessert with a little sugar, grapefruit always brings a note of originality to the kitchen. In terms of nutrition, grapefruit is excellent thanks to its low sugar content and its high content of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Let’s zoom in on the benefits of grapefruit on the body!

What is it ?

Grapefruit belongs to the category of “citrus”, a generic term used to designate fruits with an acidic flavor, covered with a peel, and divided into juicy sections containing seeds.

There are four main varieties of grapefruit:

• pomelo: unfairly called “grapefruit” on our market shelves, whose flesh is white and sweet;
• white grapefruit: spherical in shape, slightly flattened at the ends, it is twice the size of an orange. Its skin is yellow, its flesh tangy, bitter and sweet at the same time.
• pink grapefruit: its skin is yellow, sometimes pink, and its flesh is pink. It is less bitter than white grapefruit.
• blood grapefruit: close to the pink grapefruit, this variety has redder flesh, both more tangy and sweeter.

The micronutrients contained in grapefruit

Among the nutrients contained in good quantities in grapefruit, we can cite the following:

• Vitamin C: Grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamin C;
• Vitamin A: Grapefruit is a source of vitamin A;
• Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid): Grapefruit is a source of vitamin B5;
• Copper: Grapefruit is a source of copper.

What are the benefits of grapefruit?

This citrus fruit with a slightly bitter flavor has it all: very thirst-quenching for a low calorie intake, it is also rich in fiber. A very large source of vitamin C but also of group B vitamins, grapefruit or pomelo also provides carotenoids, limonoids and flavonoids which are substances rich in antioxidants. Instead, choose pink grapefruits which are richer than yellow or white ones.

Calcium, magnesium, potassium and copper will also be provided by grapefruit whether you consume it in the form of fruit or juice (preferably fresh but we will come back to that). All these elements are at the origin of the virtues of grapefruit for our health.

–Impact on cholesterol

Known to be a slimming ally thanks to its low calorie content and its richness in pectin (appetite suppressant action), grapefruit is very interesting for patients who have too much cholesterol and those suffering from metabolic syndrome.

In fact, scientific studies have shown that consuming ½ grapefruit before each meal for 3 months allowed you to lose 1.6 kg more than dieters who did not eat it. In addition, pomelo or more precisely its seeds and its juice contain limonoids which help reduce blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. They act in the same way as the statin drugs with which they interact. So be careful if you take a cholesterol-lowering medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the risk of drug interactions.

–Rich in flavonoids

Grapefruit also contains many flavonoids including naringenin which also acts on bad cholesterol levels and reduces insulin resistance. Some studies have proven that it is as effective on type 2 diabetes as metformin. It also participates in liver detoxification.

Flavonoids also have anti-inflammatory properties by acting on inflammatory mediators: both on their synthesis and on their activity.

Some animal studies show an inhibitory effect on the replication of the AIDS virus and would inhibit the activity of the protease (like HIV drugs). However, there has not yet been any demonstration of its effectiveness in humans.
The concentration of flavonoids being greater in the white part of the skin (the albedo), it is in juice, particularly industrial juice, that we find a higher content.

–Interest in cancer prevention

Several studies have shown that the consumption of 4 portions of citrus fruits per week (i.e. 2 whole grapefruits) plays a role in the prevention of certain cancers of the ENT and digestive spheres such as that of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, of the stomach and colon.
On the other hand, the results are controversial with regard to pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and even lung cancer.

In animals, it has been demonstrated that limonoids slow the progression of cancer cells in breast cancer in particular, but nothing currently allows transpositionr these results in humans.

Contraindications and allergies to grapefruit

Excellent for health thanks to its high content of antioxidant vitamins and its low sugar content, grapefruit is however contraindicated in certain very specific cases. Indeed, grapefruit contains substances that can interact with many medications and thus reduce their effectiveness. If you have the slightest doubt, you should consult a health professional.

Grapefruit is a fruit that is full of virtues linked to its richness in vitamin C, carotenoids, flavonoids and antioxidants. Fresh fruit, pressed juice, grapefruit seed extract, it acts above all as an antimicrobial, antioxidant and stimulant. Consumed in the form of industrial juice, it can give rise to drug interactions, so you should be careful if you are following treatment.

Before consuming or adding any “super food” to your diet or taking food supplements, do not hesitate to ask you doctor or a professional for advice.

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I hope you enjoyed this overview of the benefits of grapefruit and found it useful. Comment down below what you think of this fruit. Have you ever tried it? If yes, please share with us your experience.

Looking forward to reading your comments, sending you love and positive energy!!!