Grape fruit belongs to citrus fruit family. You can say its an enlarged version of orange or sweet lime. It has a very different taste and flavor which ranges from bitter sweet to sour. It is rich in nutrients, fiber and anti-oxidants. One of the super fruit loaded with powerful nutrients. Let’s have look at health benefits of grape fruit.
Let us see what grapefruit stores inside for us. Nutritional information of Grape Fruit.
- Calories: 52
- Carbs: 13 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Vitamin C: 64% of the RDI
- Vitamin A: 28% of the RDI
- Potassium: 5% of the RDI
- Thiamine: 4% of the RDI
- Folate: 4% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 3% of the RDI
Highest water Content: Grapefruit has more than 92% water content. As water is one of the important nutrient of our diet, we need to watch our water intake very closely. If you feel that your water intake is low then expected to be. You should include grapefruits to increase the overall water intake.
Weightloss Fruit: When you look at the nutritional profile of grapefruit you will realize that this fruit as lowest calories in each serving. When you include this fruit in your routine when its seasonal, it definitely helps you to loose your weight. This weight loss is specifically because of its high fiber content and the immense range of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants present. It is one of the few fruits which gives calories below 40 per serving.
Boosts Immunity: When you feel your immunity has dropped or you start falling sick again and again, understand that it is the time to boost your body with healthy and dense nutrients. So this fruit which has high content of Vit C which helps to fight the oxidative stress built up in body and hence supports your immunity. Vitamin C it self is an anti-oxidant which protects your cells from harmful viruses and bacterias. Grape fruit also contains Vit A which is very essential to have healthy eyes. Not just eyes it also reduces any type of inflammation in the body. The pink and red color of the fruit is due to present of Beta Carotene and lycopene.
Appetite Controller: For some people it is very difficult to control their appetite. They tend to feel hungry again and again. When you face such issues you should focus on foods which are high in fiber. Grapefruit being one of he fruit which has 2gms of fiber in half of the medium size grapefruit. When you eat such fruits with higher fiber content, you also tend to eat smaller portion and also lesser calories.
Sugar Controller: If you are a diabetic or insulin resistance you have to be very careful eating fruits. Try to choose fruits with lower glycemic index. When foods have lower glycemic number that means it is safe for diabetics as it will not shoot up the blood sugar levels. Glycemic index of grape fruit is 25 whereas for Banana is 51. So diabetics can have this fruit wthour increasing their sugars.
Healthy Heart: The combination of the minerals present like fiber, vitamin C, lycopene, potassium, and choline in grapefruit all together contribute to heart health. Potassium plays a very important role in heart health. Along with potassium fiber also helps in lowering cholesterol and control blood pressure.
Kills Cancer: When there is excess production of free radicals in body our body undergoes mutation of cells and develops in to cancerous cells. Vit C has the ability to kill these cells. Vit C also helps to reduce inflammation and makes your body so alkaline that cancer cells finds it difficult to multiply and grow. It may specifically be helpful more in colo-rectal cancer and esophageal cancer.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Risease (GERD) : Grapefruit, due to its acidic nature will cause irritation and reflux in the patients who are suffering from GERD.
When there are so many benefits of this fruit you also have to be careful to take this fruit if you are any of the below medications:
- Statins i.e atorvastatin, lovastatin, rosuvastatin etc
- Calcium channel blockers i.e Amlodipine, Nicardipine etc
- Some psychiatric drugs i.e Lexapro, Celexa etc
So do consult your doctor before adding grapefruit daily to your diet. Eating once a while in moderate quantity should be fine.
RD Neha Kava
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