We all know that fruits and veggies are good for us, but why exactly do the get so much praise? Different fruits can offer different health benefits that will have you feeling better than ever. From your organs to your skin, fruits have so much going for them that nearly all dieticians recommend they be part of your daily diet.
One fruit however, the grapefruit, constantly stands out amount the rest. But what exactly is it and where did it come from? Well, if you are looking to find out, you have come to the right place.
Grapefruits are easy to distinguish thanks to their large and burnt orange exterior. When you cut one open, you will find yourself looking at the cousin of a large orange. While grapefruits may look appealing, they actually have a rather bitter and almost sour taste to them. Many people offset this taste by sprinkling sugar or salt on the top.
Though they have the word grape in them, grapefruits are actually anything but. They come from the citrus family and it is evident to see that once you slice one up.
Though grapefruits were fist cultivated in Barbados, the citric gem has won the hearts of many worldwide. This is thanks in part to its jam-packed nutritional benefits.
It seems that lately, the properties of grepfrutit have become so well known that everything from your facial cleansers to your dietary regiment incorporates grapefruit in one way or another. In today’s article, we are going to take a look at all the details that make grapefruits one of the best fruits to sample throughout the year.
1. Prevents Kidney Stones
For prevention and elimination of kidney stones, grapefruits are an excellent choice as they contain certain compounds, like d-limonene, which contribute in doing so. Consumption of grapefruit juice every day decreases the pH level of urine, thereby, reducing the menace of development of kidney stones.
2. Skin Health
Grapefruit is endowed with high amount of antioxidants and vitamin A, which not only moisturize your skin but also prevent skin ailments, like acne, psoriasis, dryness, skin damage, etc.
If you get into the habit of eating a half slice of grapefruit every day, you will be able to see the benefits on your skin over the long term.
3. Cancer Prevention
Grapefruit is a container of a variety of antioxidants, phytochemicals and phytonutrients that are cooperative in preventing the development of cancerous tumours. A compound, called naringenin, is effective in safeguarding against prostate cancer by repairing damaged DNA. The limonoid content protects against the skin, lung, mouth and stomach cancer. One more phytochemical, called glucarate, is effective against breast cancer.
4. Rich in Vitamin C
Belonging to the family of citrus fruits, grapefruit naturally becomes a great source of vitamin C. Vitamin C rich foods provide an immense support to your immunity. Eating grapefruit daily can protect you from a number of diseases, like influenza and the common cold. Grapefruit also helps in eradicating free radicals from the body that causes oxidative stress. A number of severe medical disorders, such as cancer, heart disease and stroke, are caused due to the oxidative stress.
5. Weight Loss
Grapefruit is a fat-free fruit with a high quantity of fat-burning compounds. They regulate the level of insulin in the body and maintain the metabolic rate.
6. Lower Cholesterol
Red grapefruit carries amazing compound that lower down the bad cholesterol or LDL in the body. Having grapefruit daily also reduces the amount of triglycerides.
7. Prevents Arthritis
Grapefruit juice with apple cider vinegar is an amazing remedy for those people, who are suffering from arthritis. Grapefruit has salicylic acid in it, which breaks down the inorganic calcium inside the body. The accumulation of inorganic calcium in joints causes arthritis.
8. Antiseptic in Nature
Salicylic acid in grapefruit also works as an antiseptic, which is utilized for making antiseptic sprays that are used on fungal and bacterial infections.
9. Improves Vision
The antioxidant properties of pink and red grapefruit improve the eye vision. Beta-carotene, Vitamin A, lycopene, lutein and xanthin are uniformly great in upholding the health of the eyes.
10. Good for Healthy Gums
Having two grapefruits in a day reduces the problem of gum bleeding and periodontal ailments.
11. Helpful in Respiratory Problems
The vitamin C compounds of grapefruit avert asthma and other syndromes, like cough, wheezing, runny nose and shortness of breath.
12. Cures Fatigue and Tiredness
To cure fatigue and exhaustion after a long working day, drink a glass of grapefruit juice to revive yourself.
13. Treats Insomnia
If you have the problem of insomnia, drink a glass of grapefruit juice before going to bed. You will notice the difference in a few days.
14. Cures Sore Throat
Grapefruit is also beneficial in treating sore throat and whooping cough.
15. Good in Pregnancy
Grapefruit should be taken every day by pregnant women to alleviate the swelling in legs.
16. Treats Acidity
Grapefruit is slightly acidic in nature, but when it gets digested, it has an alkaline reaction in the body. This alkalinity helps in treating acidity and bloating.
