Benefits of Grapefruit are known widely for their nutrients. Grapefruit is rich in fiber, vitamins, potassium, calcium, copper, Potassium etc., which helps in preventing diseases related to heart, cancer and tumors. One of the major health benefits of grapefruit is known for their powerful poison/drug eliminators.
Grapefruit is considered to be one of the excellent source of Vitamin A in the form of carotenoids. It also helps to increase your metabolic state of the body and plays great role in changing your complexion of skin for the better by their high water content. Grapefruit’s pulp and its fiber supply a great deal healthy nutrients that aids our bowel movements and eliminates your chance of colon cancer. Grapefruit ranks high in the family of Citrus because of their taste and beneficial properties. For example: A glass of Grapefruit juice helps you to boost your vitamin C levels; which is indeed considered highest among all citrus fruits. And in terms of culinary purpose, it tastes tangy and semi-sweet and acts as a wonderful appetizer; and regularly asked to include with your breakfast to start with a refreshing and energized day.
The Grapefruit, an 18th century hybrid ( cross-fertilisation between Orange and Pomelo ) is a Citrus and semi-sweet fruit, which was first bred in Barbados, North America. Grapefruit has variety of hue from white, yellow, pink and red and it ranges from four to six diameters in size.
According to Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the regular intake of the “Grapefruit” reduces your risk of prostate cancer.
Nutritional Content in Grapefruit:
Grapefruit contains 90% water; which is rare and highest among all fruits. It is considered to be the powerhouse of Vitamin C by making it a antioxidant. Grapefruit contains Calories, Carbohydrate, Protein, Natural Sugar and dietary fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, lycopene, Calcium and Magnesium. Minimal amount of Vitamin E, Folate, Pantothenic acid, Niacin, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Potassium, Phosphorus, Zinc and Copper. It acts as a natural antiseptic. It also assists in conditions like fever, diabetes, constipation, urinary problems, fatigue, malaria and many more.
what are the health benefits of Grapefruit?
Vitamin C Powerhouse :
Grapefruit is less in calories and rich in nutrients. Low calorie grapefruit consumption fills the onset of hunger, minimizes the intake of other foods and thus helps in weight loss. It is considered as a powerhouse of Vitamin C; that indeed boosts your immune system. Usually fruits that are rich in Vitamin C are recommended for treating Cold or Cold like symptoms.
Vitamin C helps preventing from free radical damage that triggers the inflammation which indeed associates with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and osteoarthritis.
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Antioxidants prevent Cancer and Tumors:
Enriched anti-oxidants such as lycopene, beta-carotene, phytonutrients Limonoids and Naringenin in Grapefruit combat against the formation of free radicals which cause cancer. Intake of Lycopene has a decreased risk of Prostate cancer and food rich in Vitamin C and Beta- carotene has the capacity to lower the risk of Esophageal cancer. Flavonoid rich Grapefruits minimize the risk of lung and oral cancers.
Lycopene is found only fruits which are pink and red; which contains anti-tumor property. It is said to have highest capacity to neutralize oxygen free radicals. Lycopene is rich in Green tea as well and it is recommended for regular consumption.
- Read to know more about Lycopene Benefits and Why they’re Very important
Hypertension and Heart :
Red Grapefruit influences blood lipid levels mainly triglycerides. Intake of Grapefruit saves the people who have the Atherosclerosis disease by eliminating high triglyceride levels. Potassium is much preferred to control and prevent heart related ailment which is abundant in Grapefruit and enough amount of potassium intake per day prevents the heart from Ischemic cardiac disease. High potassium intake also reduces the risks of stroke, muscle mass loss, maintaining bone density and prevents kidney stone formation. Due to its vasodilatation property Potassium rich Grapefruit saves us from high blood pressure.
Helps Diabetic Patients:
Diabetic patients are recommended to have Grapefruit regularly, as they can level your body’s starch levels. And regular intake of Grapefruit by diabetic patients have shown that it helps in regulating the blood sugar levels and effectively handling it.
Recent research has shown beneficial relationship between Grapefruits and Diabetes; due to their richness in Flavonoids.
Weight loss :
Every 100 grams Grapefruit has 42 calories which is very less normally and doctors highly recommend intake of Grapefruit in the form of fruits or juice in daily diet plan for significant weight reduction. It is said to be a natural appetizer because of its abundant water content. Grapefruits block the absorption of sugar and starches in the cells and burns the deposited fat in the body. So weight loss is automatically triggered.
Respiratory aid:
Vitamin C foods generally reduces respiratory problems say Asthma, Wheezing, Chronic cough and shortness of breath. Availability of more vitamins and minerals in Grapefruits act as immune booster to reduce the allergies and common colds.
Constipation:
Watery and fiber contented grapefruit consumption completely vanishes the constipation complaint. It regularizes the defecation process by soothing colon activity.
Hydration :
Grapefruit’s 91% water content with essential electrolytes acts as hydrating elements and prevents the body from complete dehydration.
Skin health :
Anti-oxidant Vitamin C is enriched in grapefruit. Regular eating of Grapefruit or Vitamin C application on the skin in gel or cream form protects the skin from sunburns, wrinkles. Vitamin C has a vital role in Collagen formation which glows the skin and main the skin texture well.
Hair Growth :
Due to the dandruff and dry flaky skin hair follicles get clogged. This clogging damages the hair follicles and also stops hair growth. When Grapefruit seeds extract is applied on the head and massaged, it clears the clogs, removes the debris from the hair, opens the hair follicles and aids in hair growth. Grapefruit seeds extract also used for bacterial, viral, fungal and yeast infections.