If you are serious about wanting to improve your health, grapefruits are one of many foods you should consider adding to your regular diet.
Grapefruits are a fantastic fruit that supplies the body with plenty of essential nutrients including vitamin A, B1, B3, B5, B6 and C, biotin, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc bioflavonoids, and more. Because of the abundance of nutrients present, grapefruits have some incredible healing properties that you may not have been aware of.
Lowering Cholesterol
Grapefruit aids in the breakdown of fats in the body. The pith, which is the white part on the inside of the skin, and the membranes surrounding the individual sections help lower cholesterol in the blood. Grapefruit is an excellent source of dietary fiber and contains pectin, which helps trap fats like cholesterol and allows them to be excreted. Because of this, grapefruit has also been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Read more about cholesterol
Weight Loss
One whole grapefruit contains only about 100 calories and about four grams of fiber. This makes it naturally filling and contains compounds that help reduce appetite. It has a glycemic Index rating of 35 (under 55 is good) so it doesn't spike blood sugar levels.
Detoxification
Grapefruits may help cleanse the kidneys, digestive and urinary systems, detoxify the liver, ease chronic liver conditions and help to eliminate toxins from the body. They may also help dissolve gallstones.
Anti-Cancer
Red and pink grapefruits contain lycopene, which is a very powerful antioxidant and may help greatly in reducing the risk of prostate cancer. A six-ounce glass of grapefruit juice daily has been shown to reduce the activity of an enzyme that activates cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke. It may also be helpful in the treatment of esophageal cancer.
Anti-Inflammatory
Grapefruit works as an anti-inflammatory and is therefore helpful with chest congestion, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other inflammatory disorders. It may also be helpful in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Immune Booster
Grapefruits can help to strengthen the respiratory and immune system and relieve cold and flu symptoms. With all these amazing health benefits, you can see why grapefruits are a perfect example of how eating fresh, whole, live foods can strengthen the body and help create wellness.
Enjoy grapefruits daily for better health!
| CAUTION: Grapefruit may interact negatively or boost certain medications. Before adding grapefruit to your diet, make sure it is safe for you to eat by consulting your physician or pharmacist. |
1) Balch, Phyllis, Prescription for Dietary Wellness, Penguin Group, New York, 1992
2) Mateljan, George, The World’s Healthiest Foods, GMF Publishing, Canada, 2007
3) Shealy, C. Norman, MD, PhD, Healing Remedies, Harper Collins, China, 2002
Photo Credit: sophie.z.j
