Grapefruit health benefits

Being a member of the citrus family, grapefruit is a great source of vitamin C. It also contains other essential nutrients, which work together to provide significant health benefits, which is why many people start their day with this delicious, tangy fruit. It can be consumed fresh, as a whole fruit, in fruit salads, or squeezed into juice and combined with other fruit and vegetable juices. Grapefruit is also an important ingredient in many cocktails.

Grapefruit is a popular fruit from the citrus family. Its name derives from grapes, because it grows in clusters, much like grapes, only bigger. Few people know that grapefruit is a result of the natural combination of orange and pomelo. From pomelo it took the size and the flavor, and the color came from oranges.

Grapefruits come in several varieties, the most common being red, pink and white. It has a thick and aromatic rind and its pulp is sectioned, like an orange. It has small seeds, although some varieties are seedless.

Just 100 grams of grapefruit, which is a half or a third of an average-sized grapefruit, contains 40 milligrams of vitamin C, 22 milligrams of calcium, 2 milligrams of iron, 0.02 milligrams of riboflavin, 0.04 milligrams of thiamine, 0.2 milligrams of niacin and traces of vitamin A.

Grapefruit helps to dissolve inorganic calcium that gets deposited in the joints, causing problems like arthritis. It also promotes weight loss, because it is low in fat and sodium and high in fat-dissolving enzymes. It is also a great source of dietary fiber, which is important for good digestive health, the absorption of nutrients and for elimination of toxins from the colon.

Grapefruit and its juice are highly recommended during winter seasons, because they boost the immune system and help reduce fever.

Thanks to its potassium content, grapefruit is helpful for those who need to lower their blood pressure. This fruit is highly recommended for diabetics as well.

Grapefruit contains anti-cancerous agents like lycopene and bioflavonoids, especially in the rid, and several studies have shown that they can provide help in the battle against breast and prostate cancer.

Grapefruit juice is a tonic for the liver, and it also refreshes and soothes the body, relieving fatigue, tiredness, anxiety and insomnia.

The high water content in this fruit is very beneficial because it helps flush out the toxins from the body, and it increases metabolism.

In addition, grapefruit can be used as an external antiseptic. It improves the complexion, helps against fever, cold and pneumonia and helps against gallstones.