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10 Health Benefits of grapefruit, Scientifically proven

Grapefruit is a tropical fruit that is a hybrid of pomelo and 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 is able to reduce blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels in the blood, as well as prevent the development of urolithiasis.  In addition, citrus helps to reduce body weight, and is also widely used in cosmetology.

How it is useful – 10 facts

Below are 10 advantages of grapefruit that make it useful for human health.

1. The content of valuable substances

Grapefruit is characterized by low calorie content (about 22 calories per 100 grams of product), but high nutritional value – it contains over 15 vital vitamins and minerals.

1 medium-sized fruit (about 230 grams) contains the following substances:

  • Carbohydrates – 13 grams;
  • Proteins – about 1 gram;
  • Dietary fiber – 2 grams;
  • Vitamin C – 64% of the daily requirement;
  • Vitamin A – 28% of the daily requirement;
  • Thiamine – 4% of the daily requirement;
  • Folic acid – 4% of the daily requirement;
  • Magnesium – 3% of the daily requirement;
  • Potassium is 5% of the daily requirement.

Grapefruit also contains many antioxidant plant compounds that are needed for the smooth functioning of the entire body (especially the cardiovascular system).

Grapefruit is a low–calorie fruit containing many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

2. Strengthening the immune system

Regular consumption of grapefruit Good for the immune system . Vitamin C plays the main role – it has antioxidant properties and protects the body's cells from various damages caused by bacteria and viral agents.

Swiss scientists proved that ascorbic acid is able to reduce the risk of developing infectious and inflammatory diseases, as well as improve their course. This vitamin has the ability to stimulate the growth and maturation of white blood germ cells.

Also installed that vitamin C reduces the likelihood of morbidity during stressful physical or temperature overloads.

An equally important role is assigned vitamin A. It accelerates the proliferation of lymphocytes, slows down the apoptosis of cells of the immune system and accelerates the regeneration of mucous membranes, which are the first to encounter external infectious agents.

Grapefruit has a complex effect on the immune system, reduces the risk of developing infectious diseases and increases immunity in general.

3. Grapefruit will help with weight loss

This type of citrus is often included in various diets designed to maintain or reduce body weight. Positive effects are realized due to the following mechanisms:

  1. Appetite suppression. Fruits contain a significant amount of useful fiber , which slows down the rate of gastric emptying causes its mechanical overflow. This causes a feeling of satiety, as a result of which food consumption decreases over the next few hours.
  2. Low energy value. Grapefruit contains it contains a lot of water and fiber, but few calories. Systematic consumption of low–calorie foods is one of the strategies for weight loss.
  3. Antioxidant effect. Due to the high content of vitamin C, this fruit normalizes metabolism at the level of adipocytes, accelerates their destruction during oxidative processes, slows down the intensity of formation of adipose tissue depots.

American scientists have identified that regular consumption of grapefruit allows you to lose weight by an average of 1.6 kg in 3 months.

Grapefruit has a proven ability to reduce body weight. It is recommended to consume the fruit in order to correct or maintain weight within the normative values.

4. Prevention of type II diabetes mellitus

Increasing insulin resistance is one of the main causes of the formation of type II diabetes mellitus, an extremely common and dangerous disease with its complications.

Foreign studies demonstrated that the fruit is able to increase the sensitivity of peripheral tissue cells (muscle and fat) to insulin, this leads to a decrease in the concentration of glucose in the blood and accelerates its utilization by cells.

Installed that regular consumption of fruits (in particular, grapefruit) is associated with a rarer occurrence of type II diabetes mellitus and other disorders of the glycemic background (fasting hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance).

Grapefruit reduces the likelihood of developing type II diabetes by increasing the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin.

5. Improving the health of the heart and blood vessels

Specialists from the USA proved that regular consumption of grapefruit contributes to reduction of total cholesterol by reducing the concentration of atherogenic fractions – low-specific gravity lipoproteins and triacylglycerides.

This feature prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of arteries and the development of diseases such as coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction.

Also grapefruit contains sufficient amount of potassium required for coordinated reduction of cardiomyocytes and adequate conduction.

Is celebrated and a positive effect on blood pressure – grapefruit has a vasodilating effect and is able to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which can be used for the prevention and comprehensive (together with medical drugs) treatment of hypertension.

Grapefruit prevents the development of the most dangerous cardiovascular diseases by affecting the leading links in their pathogenesis.

6. Antioxidant effect

Grapefruit is a storehouse of the most valuable antioxidant substances. They depressing free radical mechanisms slow down cell apoptosis, the process of natural programmed death.

Grapefruit contains:

  1. Vitamin C. Improves the functioning of vascular endothelial cells, slows down aging, and prevents the development of malignant neoplasms.
  2. Beta-carotene. Is transformed in the body into vitamin A, which is important for the prevention of chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system and maintaining the health of the ophthalmic apparatus.
  3. Lycopene. Effective in cancer prevention.
  4. Flavonoids. Helps to reduce blood pressure, as well as the concentration of cholesterol and glucose in blood plasma.
Grapefruit is rich in antioxidants, which improve overall health and reduce the risk of developing some extremely dangerous pathologies.

7. Prevention of urolithiasis

The most common type of concretions in the lumen of the urinary tract (cup-pelvic system, ureters, bladder) are calcium oxalates.

Citric acid contained in grapefruit pulp binds to calcium and removes it from the body, preventing the formation of stones. To this conclusion Italian scientists came .

How claim American scientists, citric acid also increases the acidity and volume of daily urine, which is an additional method of preventing urolithiasis.

Citric acid, available in grapefruit, provides prevention of the development of urolithiasis.

8. Saturation of the body with water

Grapefruit consists of 88% water. The use of this type of fruit allows you to saturate the body is provided with additional fluid, which is especially important during periods of active physical activity or when in hot climatic conditions.

It is even allowed to replace the intake of ordinary water with the use of grapefruit, since it has a low energy value and has a low glycemic index.

Eating grapefruit is one of the ways to saturate the body with liquid.

9. Stroke prevention

Citrus contains a large amount of flavonoids, substances that can reduce the likelihood of developing an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, as well as reduce the degree of destruction of brain tissue if this pathology has already developed.

Foreign research revealed that the risk of stroke manifestation, with regular grapefruit consumption, is 19% lower.

Grapefruit prevents the development of stroke and improves its course.

10. Anticancer effect

That citrus is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidant substances with pronounced antitumor activity.

Proven that grapefruit reduces men's risk of prostate cancer.

It is also noted to be effective in preventing malignant degeneration of epithelial cells of the large intestine and skin.

The fruit protects the skin from dangerous solar ultraviolet radiation and prevents the appearance of melanoma.

Citrus contributes to the prevention of certain types of malignant tumors.

Safety and contraindications

Despite all the benefits, in some cases, grapefruit can cause significant harm to the human body. The main contraindications include:

  1. Taking certain medications. The use of grapefruit in combination with immunosuppressants, calcium channel blockers, statins can lead to increased bioavailability of medicines and the development of side effects.
  2. Caries. Grapefruit, like any other citrus, is capable of destroying tooth enamel and aggravating the course of the carious process. To reduce the negative effect, it is recommended to drink grapefruit juice through a straw.
  3. Inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity and intestines. This group includes: stomatitis, gastritis, duodenitis, enteritis, colitis. Grapefruit causes irritation of the mucous membranes, which complicates the inflammatory lesion.

Special care should be taken when eating grapefruit for women during pregnancy. It is recommended to introduce the fruit into the diet gradually, starting with a few tablespoons of pulp.

The maximum daily dose is half of the fetus. Neglecting this rule is associated with a high risk of developing allergic or autoimmune diseases in a child after birth.

Nevertheless, this citrus contains many useful substances necessary for the growth and development of the fetus, as well as to ensure the normal course of pregnancy. If the norm is observed and there are no allergic reactions, you can eat the fruit.

When using grapefruit, the presence of contraindications and the likelihood of complications should be taken into account.

Answers to frequently asked questions

Below are some aspects of fruit intake that are important to consider:

  1. At what time of the day is it better to eat it? Eating grapefruit in the evening, and especially at night, causes an overload of the digestive system (due to the high fiber content) and sleep disturbance. It is recommended to eat citrus no later than 2-3 hours before bedtime. Grapefruit should also not be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, as this is fraught with damage to the mucous membranes and exacerbation of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
  2. Which citrus is considered the most useful? Despite all the positive properties of grapefruit, pomelo or lemon, it is orange is considered the most useful fruit due to the highest content of vitamin C and antioxidant substances.
  3. Is grapefruit juice and fresh fruit healthy? Yes! However, it must be borne in mind that the juice will only be a source of vitamins. There are practically none in it dietary fiber An additional disadvantage is a significant glucose level and increased calorie content.
  4. The use of inedible parts. Grapefruit peel and zest also have medicinal properties: depression suppression, improved digestion , increasing immunity in general. Sometimes they are also used to alleviate respiratory diseases (in the form of infusions and decoctions). But it is better not to use citrus films.
  5. Application of essential oil. Grapefruit essential oil has the highest percentage of vitamins and antioxidants, has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects. It is used to relieve liver and gallbladder diseases, reduce blood pressure. It is also widely used in cosmetology to improve the condition of hair and nails.

Conclusion

  1. Grapefruit contains a large amount of vitamins, macro-, microelements and antioxidants.
  2. It is beneficial for the health of the cardiovascular, endocrine, urinary, and immune systems.
  3. Against the background of regular consumption of fruit, there is an improvement in the condition of the skin, a decrease in body weight, and a decrease in the risk of developing malignant neoplasms.
  4. It is important to note that citrus has a certain list of contraindications that must be taken into account.
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