10 Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Grapefruit

Grapefruit is a tropical fruit that is a hybrid of a pomelo and an orange. It is a good source of vitamin C, a number of antioxidants and other valuable substances.

According to scientists, grapefruit can bring tangible benefits to our body. It can lower blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and also prevent the development of urolithiasis. In addition, citrus helps reduce body weight and is also widely used in cosmetology.

Health Benefits of Grapefruit

The fruits contain high levels of the following compounds:

• carbohydrates: 13 g;
• proteins: 1 g;
• fiber: 2 g;
• ascorbic acid;
• vitamin A;
• folic acid;
• magnesium;
• thiamine;
• potassium.

Grapefruit contains small amounts of the following substances:

• B vitamins;
• zinc;
• iron;
• copper.

Pharmacological action of citrus fruit:

• antiviral;
• antibacterial;
• antibiotic;
• anticholesterol;
• anti-inflammatory.

The beneficial properties of grapefruit are due to the content of the following nutrients:

1. Naringin. Good for the cardiovascular system, renews blood cells, improves digestion and enhances the secretion of gastric juice, helps with constipation.
2. Salicylic acid. It has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect against bacterial and fungal infections.
3. Vitamin C. A water-soluble substance present in large quantities in grapefruit. It has antioxidant properties, protects cells from harmful bacteria and viruses.
4. Vitamin A. Helps prevent inflammation and the development of certain infectious diseases.
5. Potassium. Prevents an increase in blood pressure, as well as the risk of death from heart disease.
6. Antioxidants. Protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
7. Beta carotene. Reduces the risk of certain chronic diseases, incl. heart.
8. Lycopene. Prevents the development of certain types of cancer, especially prostate cancer. The substance helps slow down the growth of tumors and reduce side effects in the treatment of cancer.
9. Flavonoids. They have an anti-inflammatory effect, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and reduce the risk of heart pathologies.
10. Allicin. Promotes the production of white blood cells, cleanses the body of toxins.
11. Pectin. Supports bacterial flora, reduces cholesterol levels in the blood.

Grapefruit is useful for the following diseases and conditions:

• fatigue;
• fever;
• diabetes;
• stomach upset;
• problems with urination;
• constipation;
• heartburn;
• scurvy;
• gallbladder diseases;
• flatulence;
• bowel dysfunction;
• high blood pressure;
• anorexia;
• stomach upset;
• arthritis;
• gastric insufficiency.

Product benefits

You should know the benefits of grapefruit for the body. It has the following effects:

1. Reduces blood cholesterol levels. The reduction in LDL occurs due to galacturonic acid and pectin. It has been proven that eating one grapefruit every day for a month reduces cholesterol levels in the body by more than 15%.
2. Prevents arthritis. Grapefruit juice combined with apple cider vinegar is an excellent remedy for people suffering from this condition.
3. Has a beneficial effect on gums. Citrus fruit helps reduce bleeding.
4. Improves vision. The action is due to antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamin A, lycopene and lutein.
5. Helps with respiratory diseases. The fruits contain a large amount of ascorbic acid, which is useful for coughs, runny nose, and lacrimation.
6. Eliminates insomnia. Before going to bed, drink a glass of grapefruit juice. This promotes healthy and restful sleep.
7. Relieves fatigue. After a hard day, take a glass of grapefruit juice (to lift your mood and increase energy).
8. Reduces sore throat. The active compounds of the citrus fruit destroy bacteria adhering to the tonsils, thereby alleviating the condition of the inflammatory process.
9. Stimulates the functioning of the immune system. Regular consumption of fruits helps increase the body's defenses.
10. Regulates appetite. Research has shown that a high-fiber diet helps reduce hunger. This is due to the fact that the component slows down the rate of gastric emptying, thereby increasing digestion time. Fiber is found in large quantities in grapefruit. Experts recommend adding it to your diet to lose weight.

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Other useful properties

Effect on the body:

1. Helps in the treatment of malaria. The action is due to the content of quinine.
2. Promotes weight loss. Grapefruit is suitable for weight loss because... Low in calories and water, it increases satiety and burns fat. To lose extra pounds, eat half a fruit before meals. Studies have shown that patients who followed these recommendations lost much more weight than those who did not. It was found that with regular consumption of this fruit, volunteers lost an average of 3.5 kg in 12 weeks.
3. Reduces the risk of kidney stones. They can cause blockage in the urinary system.
4. Helps with high temperatures. For feverish conditions, take grapefruit fruits or juice.
5. Useful for stomach disorders. Fruits relieve irritation and improve the functioning of the digestive system.
6. Helps prevent insulin resistance and diabetes. Such patients can often eat grapefruit, it helps fight the disease.
7. Useful for constipation. Drinking a glass of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice in the morning is the best way to deal with the condition.
8. Eliminates problems with urination. Biologically active compounds contained in the fruits help with insufficient urination caused by liver, kidney or heart diseases.
9. Strengthens hair. The vitamins contained in the fruits have a beneficial effect on the hair structure, making it healthier and shiny. In addition, grapefruit naturally helps to lighten them.
10. Eliminates dandruff. It occurs due to the overgrowth of the fungus Malassezia furfur on the scalp. A mask with fresh grapefruit juice helps not only reduce dandruff, but also relieve itching.
11. Useful during pregnancy. The active compounds contained in the citrus fruit contribute to the proper formation of the child’s brain and bone tissue. Pantothenic acid in grapefruit prevents the development of intoxication in the mother during pregnancy.
12. Has a disinfecting effect. For this reason, the fruit is consumed after meals, especially in the evening. The seeds of the fruit also have a powerful disinfectant effect; they are used to treat seborrhea, mycoses, dermatitis, lichens, herpes, stomatitis and gastritis.

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Benefits for women

Citrus juice is widely used in the cosmetics industry. It is used in face and hair care products.

Benefits of grapefruit:

1. Improves skin condition. The action is due to an antioxidant called retinol. The active component is found in many anti-aging creams; the substance smoothes out fine wrinkles and regenerates dermal cells.
2. Helps with oily skin. Grapefruit removes shine, improves hydration, tightens pores, and limits the secretion of fat cells.
3. Fights pigment spots. Citrus fruit extract is used to prepare body whitening products.

If you regularly consume grapefruit, the benefits for women will be as follows:

• protects against premature aging;
• helps get rid of cellulite;
• normalizes lipid metabolism.

Other beneficial properties of citrus fruit (for adults and children):

• improves heart health;
• speeds up metabolism;
• reduces insulin levels;
• removes toxins from the body;
• improves liver function;
• is a good remedy for influenza;
• improves the nervous and cardiovascular systems;
• relieves nausea;
• stimulates blood circulation;
• increases the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels;
• improves the body's ability to absorb important nutrients (which come from food);
• cleanses the body of toxins in case of alcohol poisoning.

Compound

Chemical composition of grapefruit.
Photo: dietmap.ru The composition of grapefruit explains its usefulness for the human body. This is a dietary product: 100 g of pulp contains 35 calories. Among the nutrients, carbohydrates are the leaders, mainly in the form of mono- and disaccharides. The benefits of grapefruit are related to its fiber content. The product contains vitamins, micro- and macroelements, organic acids.

Chemical composition of grapefruit

• iodine;
• cobalt;
• zinc;
• fluorine;
• ascorbic acid;
• vitamin B9;
• iron;
• manganese;
• magnesium;
• phosphorus;
• copper;
• potassium;
• sodium.

BJU grapefruit

The benefits of grapefruit for women and men are related to its composition - per 100 g:

• proteins – 0.7 g;
• water – 90.9 g;
• lipids – 0.2 g;
• inorganics – 0.31 g;
• fiber – 1.8 g;
• sugars – 6.98 g;
• carbohydrates – 6.5 g.

Possible harm and contraindications

It is necessary to know not only the benefits, but also the harm of grapefruit for the body.

According to experts, the fetus can be harmed when taking any medications. This is due to the fact that the active compounds contained in citrus fruits irritate the action of a special enzyme, which is responsible for the breakdown and absorption of certain types of drugs. This reaction helps reduce the effectiveness of the drug.

The ability of grapefruit to interact with contraceptives, anticholesterol, psychotropic, hypnotics, antiepileptics, anticancer, hormonal, antihistamines, antimicrobials and antidepressants has been proven.

This can lead to more severe problems, especially with chronic diseases.

Citrus fruit may reduce the effectiveness of medications intended to treat high blood pressure, gastrointestinal diseases, sexual potency, allergies, influenza, sinusitis and cardiovascular pathologies. Grapefruit reduces the effect of birth control pills, thereby causing unwanted pregnancy.

You need to know what else is harmful about grapefruit. Experts warn about the following:

1. Daily and long-term intake of the fetus or its juice is not recommended, especially for women during and after menopause (according to scientists, this causes a risk of developing breast cancer).
2. For those suffering from heartburn, the natural drink can be dangerous, so it needs to be diluted with water.

Beneficial features

The benefits of grapefruit for the body are determined by its properties. Eating citrus helps:

• strengthening the walls of blood vessels and giving them greater elasticity;
• increasing the efficiency of removing toxins and harmful substances;
• increasing immunity and more successfully resisting colds and viral diseases;
• lowering blood sugar levels;
• normalize blood pressure and improve brain function;
• stabilization of intestinal function (regular consumption of citrus fruits helps to avoid constipation and diarrhea);
• strengthening gums and teeth and preventing dental diseases;
• lowering cholesterol levels;
• increasing gastric acidity and improving digestion;
• strengthening the nervous system, which becomes visible when fighting stress and depression;
• prevention of cancer, etc.

How to take grapefruit correctly

The fruit is consumed fresh, powdered or dried, using oil or juice. Citrus fruit is mixed with other fruits and vegetables. You can drink 2-3 glasses of freshly prepared drink per day. Digestion of the fruit occurs directly in the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed.

For gastritis

It is not recommended to use grapefruit for gastritis or reflux, because... it has a pH of 3.3. If there is increased acidity, it is allowed to eat no more than a quarter of the fruit once a week.

For gout

Grapefruit is effective for gout. Studies have shown that vitamin C contained in fruits reduces the risk of this disease. You are allowed to eat 1-2 fruits daily.

For a cold

Grapefruit is good for colds. For influenza, ARVI, prepare the following remedy: thoroughly wash 1 or 2 grapefruits, cut the peel into pieces, pour boiling water over it, leave for about an hour. Drink at least half a glass of infusion (can be sweetened with honey if desired). After this, they go to bed, cover themselves well, and take the infusion again in the morning.

For hepatitis C

Grapefruit is extremely useful for hepatitis C. The effect is due to naringenin, which reduces the negative impact of this virus by 80%.

Grapefruit salad is prepared in the evening: the fruits are peeled and white skinned, cut into cubes. Place them in a bowl, add 1 tbsp. l. honey (or 2 tbsp sugar). Cover the container with a lid and take it for breakfast. It is not recommended to store fruit in plastic or metal containers.

Before eating fruits, discuss the diet with your doctor, because... they may reduce the effectiveness of some medications.

For the intestines

Grapefruit juice helps with gastrointestinal problems. The vitamins and minerals contained in grapefruit have a beneficial effect on the intestines.

For the endometrium

Experts recommend excluding grapefruit and other citrus fruits from the diet for this group of people.

For nail fungus

Grapefruit seed extract is used to treat this disease (follow the dosage in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations).

What you should pay attention to?

Like any citrus, grapefruit sometimes causes allergies. Do not give it to children under three years of age. Introduce into the diet gradually to monitor the reaction.

There is evidence of the effect of fruits on the absorption of certain medications. They are able to enhance the action of some and inhibit the work of others. If you are taking any medications, check with your doctor about compatibility.

Fruits are contraindicated in case of high acidity, diseases of the stomach and intestines in the acute phase. They are not recommended for cystitis and nephritis.

FAQ

There are many controversial opinions regarding citrus fruits. This raises a lot of questions.

Diuretic or not

Grapefruit has strong diuretic properties, helps prevent joint problems, and reduces the level of uric acid, which can cause inflammation.

To lower its level in the body, include grapefruit in your diet: for a week immediately after waking up, drink 1 glass of juice (every morning on an empty stomach) or eat 3 fruits a day.

Blood thinning

Many products, incl. and grapefruit, thin the blood.

Allergenic or not

No specific allergenic components have been identified in the fruits.

How can you get poisoned by grapefruit?

Due to the consumption of the fruit, the liver stops breaking down the drug normally, for this reason its concentration in the blood increases many times, which can lead to poisoning.

Recommendations for use of grapefruit seed extract

The healing properties of grapefruit seeds make them an indispensable remedy in everyday life. To eliminate the most common problems today (calluses, dermatitis, colds, etc.), it is enough to follow the following recommendations:

• You can cope with a sore throat by regularly rinsing it with warm water with the addition of this extract (5 drops of the substance per 1 glass);
• dermatitis, allergic rashes and other skin problems are easily eliminated by rubbing in an oil solution (you can use any oil you have on hand - sunflower, olive, linseed, etc.) enriched with 10 drops of extract;
• To heal existing damage to the legs in the form of calluses, it is necessary to take warm baths with the addition of tincture (5-10 drops).

Grapefruit diet

The main advantages of this fruit, allowing its use in diets aimed at combating excess weight, include:

• low energy value (about 35 kcal) against the background of a rich mineral and vitamin composition;
• the content of substances that perfectly cope with such a task as eliminating fat reserves;
• the ability to activate the liver and accelerate metabolic processes in the body;
• a fairly strong diuretic effect, ridding the body of excess deposits, salts and toxins;
• the ability to reduce appetite, creating a feeling of fullness.

The most popular of all diets based on the consumption of this citrus is the Hollywood diet, created in the first half of the last century and allowing you to lose up to 5 extra pounds over a two-week period. Its essence boils down to eating 5 egg whites and 5 medium-sized fruits every day for 14 days. In this case, you must adhere to the following algorithm: eat the ingredients in order every hour (protein-grapefruit-protein, etc.). It is allowed to supplement the diet with green tea without sugar and still water.

Due to the fact that this diet is low-calorie, it is not recommended to follow it for more than two weeks.