Grapefruit is a large orange-like fruit that is included in the citrus family. It is a “new” addition to the citrus-family, deriving from a natural cross-breeding between pomelo and orange.
It is called a grapefruit because it grows in clusters, similar to grapes. The taste of grapefruit can be sour and bitter, but it contains many health benefits.
Just 1 glass of chilled grapefruit juice, especially in winter, can help boost your levels of vitamin C. It is loaded with the benefits derived from various vitamins and nutrients , including lycopene and potassium.
Also, it contains calcium and phosphorous. In terms of its culinary value, it is known to be a wonderful appetizer, and is regularly included for breakfast as an energizing start to the day.
Health Benefits of Grapefuit Juice:
1. Low in Calories
If you are on the look-out for a refreshing beverage that will not cost you tons of calories, you can skip past those milkshakes and smoothies, and go straight for the juice of 1 medium grapefruit instead. For just about 70 calories, you will get a generous serving of vitamin A and C.
2. Lowers Cholesterol
The pectin that is preseint in grapefruit may help lower your cholesterol if you include this juice as part of your healthy diet. Studies have reported that regular consumption of pectin helped lower LDL cholesterol. But, it is also very important to maintain a healthy diet as well.
While pectin does not come from the juice, it is in the membranes, seeds and the thick white pith of the grapefruit, therefore you can eat the grapefruit whole, in addition to juicing it for its full effect.
3. Disease Prevention
Vitamin C is a powerful nutrient that contains many benefits. According to The George Mateljan Foundation, eating foods that are high in Vitamin C is linked with a reduced risk of death, including cancer, stroke and heart disease.
Lycopene, the red pigment present in grapefruit, is a cancer fighting antioxidant. According to healthy-juicing, the following cancer preventives are present in grapefruit juice:
– Bioflavonoids: Stops the factory in your body, that is responsible for tumor growth.
– Terpenes, monoterpenes and Limonoids: Increase the production of cancer fighting enzymes.
– Phenolic acid: Inhibits the progress of cancer-causing nitrosamines.
There are other common ailments that grapefruit juice can help you with. As said above, grapefruit juice helps in reducing acidity in your body. Minimizing acidity could help in preventing pneumonia, fever and even the common cold.
4. Hydration
Grapefruits are made almost entirely of water. If you are feeling dehydrated, just 1 glass of grapefruit juice is a good choice.
Like cucumbers or watermelon, this fruit is particularly delicious on a hot summer day when you are prone to lose a lot of water from sweating.
5. Weight Loss
If you are trying to lose those excess weight, grapefruit can help to speed up the process. Grapefruit juice have high amount of fat burning enzymes. These enzymes added with the high water content of grapefruit will help speed up your metabolism. Not only will grapefruit help in increasing your metabolic activity and burn fat, but it can also can increase your energy as well.
Womenfitness.net suggests that drinking 8 ounces of grapefruit juice may help block enzymes that are involved in the storage of carbohydrates and fat.
Adding grapefruit juice into your diet would help to jump-start your weight loss process.
Read More:
1. Great Reasons to Eat More Grapefruit
2. What are the Health Benefits of Onion Juice
3. 6 Healthy Reasons to Drink Eggplant Juice