Grapefruit is low in calories and rich in antioxidant vitamin C. You can include it in a weight loss diet. This article provides information on the health benefits and nutrition facts regarding the same.
Grapefruit belongs to the genus Citrus and family Rutaceae. It is comparatively a new member of the family as it is a natural hybrid of pomelo and orange. The scientific name of the fruit is Citrus Paradisi. The fruit is known for its slightly bitter, sweet taste and delicious flavor. It confers numerous health benefits because it is packed with essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals.
Nutritional Data
230 gm of grapefruit (1 cup sections with juice) contain:
| Nutrient Values of Grapefruit | |
| Calories | 97 |
| Total Fat | 0.0 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0 |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 0 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 25 g (8%) |
| Protein | 2 g (4%) |
| Sugars | 15.8 g |
| Vitamin A | 53% |
| Vitamin C | 120% |
| Thiamin | 7% |
| Riboflavin | 4% |
| Niacin | 2% |
| Vitamin B6 | 6% |
| Folate | 29.9 mcg (7%) |
| Pantothenic Acid | 6% |
| Choline | 17.7 mg |
| Iron | 1% |
| Calcium | 5% |
| Potassium | 9% |
| Magnesium | 5% |
| Phosphorus | 4% |
| Copper | 4% |
| Manganese | 3% |
| Zinc | 1% |
| Dietary Fiber | 15% |
Health Benefits
Following are the health benefits offered by this fruit:
- The fruit, being rich in pectin, helps lower blood cholesterol.
- The bioflavonoids and other plant chemicals present in this fruit protect against cancer and heart disease.
- Its high fiber content keeps you satiated for a longer period of time. The calories obtained from this fruit are suitable for weight loss diets.
- Vitamin C present in this fruit offers you glowing skin. Besides, the fruit can be used to treat skin allergies and infections, such as acne.
- High percentage of polyamine in this fruit plays an important role in slowing down the process of aging.
- Nutrients from this fruit help prevent kidney stones. They prevent the oxidative damage of the cells and tissues.
- The familiar grapefruit diet is designed on the basis of fat-burning enzyme present in this bitter fruit. The juice of this fruit helps reduce accumulation of fats and starches in the body.
- Reducing the joint stiffness and inflammation associated with arthritis is another important advantage of this wonderful fruit. The calories and nutrients in this fruit can increase the rate of metabolism and can detoxify your body by removing the toxic compounds including, potential carcinogens.
Side Effects
Studies show that this juice interacts with many drugs. It is therefore necessary to check whether you can safely consume the juice while taking a particular medicine. The juice can impair drug metabolism, potentially causing serious side effects. It contains flavonoids and/or furanocoumarin compounds, which can block the action of the enzyme in the intestines. Therefore, natural breakdown and absorption of many medications is not possible. As a result, percentage of these medications in blood increases, and this in turn leads to potentially toxic side effects. The fruit is very acidic and can create problems if consumed by people affected by stomach ailments.
Grapefruit is a great fat burner. It can also help control diabetes. Face masks prepared from this fruit work great for all skin types.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.
