Have you seen or tried grapefruit before? It’s well known for its sweet and sour taste, but it’s also oozing with nutrients. If you want to know more, keep reading! You’re sure to learn a lot.
What is Grapefruit?
Grapefruit is a kind of fruit that is high in fiber and low in calories. They contain bioflavonoids and other plant chemicals, which help protect against serious conditions like tumors, heart disease and cancer. The fruit can also increase your metabolism, lower insulin levels, make you feel full and help fight conditions like malaria, fever, fatigue, excess acidity, urinary problems, indigestion, constipation, diabetes and more. Just when you think you’ve heard it all, you’ll also be pleased to know it can counteract the effects of poison and drugs, work as a tonic for the liver and treat external wounds. Its high water content also promotes better skin, while its fiber and pulp promote healthy bowel movements and reduce the chance of colon cancer.
Nutritional Facts of Grapefruit
Grapefruit is delicious and low in calories, with just 42 calories per 100 gram serving. Its dietary fiber acts as a bulking laxative, protecting the colon mucus by reducing the amount of time it’s exposed to toxic substances. Other essential nutrients in the fruit include:
| Principle | Amount | % Daily Value |
| Energy | 42 Kcal | 2.3% |
| Carbohydrates | 10.7 grams | 8% |
| Protein | 0.77 grams | 1% |
| Total Fat | 0.14 grams | <1% |
| Cholesterol | 0 milligrams | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.70 grams | 4% |
| Vitamins | ||
| Folates | 13 micrograms | 3% |
| Niacin | 0.204 milligrams | 1.5% |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.262 milligrams | 5% |
| Pyridoxine | 0.053 milligrams | 4% |
| Riboflavin | 0.031 milligrams | 2.5% |
| Thiamin | 0.043 milligrams | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1150 IU | 38% |
| Vitamin C | 31.2 milligrams | 52% |
| Vitamin E | 0.13 milligrams | 1% |
| Vitamin K | 0 micrograms | 0% |
| Electrolytes | ||
| Sodium | 0 milligrams | 0% |
| Potassium | 135 milligrams | 3% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 22 milligrams | 2% |
| Copper | 0.032 milligrams | 4% |
| Iron | 0.08 milligrams | 1% |
| Magnesium | 9 milligrams | 2% |
| Manganese | 0.022 milligrams | 1% |
| Phosphorus | 18 milligrams | 2.5% |
| Selenium | 0.1 micrograms | 0% |
| Zinc | 0.07 milligrams | 1% |
| Phyto-nutrients | ||
| Carotene-ß | 686 micrograms | — |
| Crypto-xanthin-ß | 73 micrograms | — |
| Lycopene | 1419 micrograms | — |
Health Benefits of Grapefruit
Here are some of the most amazing health benefits of grapefruit:
- Helps ease constipation. Drinking grapefruit juice in the morning stimulates the colon and other parts of the digestive system, thus eliminating constipation.
- Helps reduce acidity. Fresh grapefruit juice alkalizes the intestine for proper digestion. When the citric acid enters the body, the body body’s alkalinity reaction increases.
- Helps control diabetes. Those who are diabetic can eat grapefruit to reduce their body’s starch levels and regulate the flow of sugar.
- Helps promote sleep. One glass of grapefruit juice, taken before bed, can help promote a healthy sleep and prevent the irritating symptoms of insomnia. This is all because of the tryptophan in the fruit, which helps promote sleep.
- Helps treat indigestion. Compared to other foods, grapefruit makes a light snack. The makes it perfect for indigestions, easing the irritation and heat in the stomach.
- Helps treat influenza. Grapefruit is a valuable remedy for influenza, as it minimizes the acidity in the system. Not only that, but it’s oozing with antioxidants.
- Helps suppress the appetite. Grapefruit is excellent in suppressing the appetite and reducing hunger pangs, which is why people eat them to lose weight.
