If you are serious about wanting to improve your health, grapefruits are a great addition to your diet.
Grapefruits supply the body with plenty of essential nutrients including vitamin A, B1, B3, B5, B6, and C, biotin, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, bioflavonoids, and more. Because of the abundance of nutrients present, grapefruits have some incredible healing properties.
Lowering Cholesterol
Grapefruit aids in the breakdown of fats in the body. The pith, which is the white part on the inside of the skin, and the membranes surrounding the individual sections help lower cholesterol in the blood. Grapefruit is an excellent source of dietary fiber and contains pectin, which helps trap fats like cholesterol and allows them to be excreted. Because of this, grapefruit has also been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Weight Loss
One whole grapefruit contains only about 100 calories and about four grams of fiber. This makes it naturally filling. It also contains compounds that help reduce appetite. It has a glycemic index rating of 35 (under 55 is good) so it doesn’t spike blood sugar levels.
Grapefruits may help cleanse the kidneys, digestive and urinary systems, detoxify the liver, ease chronic liver conditions, and help to eliminate toxins from the body. They may also help dissolve gallstones.
Anti-Cancer
Red and pink grapefruits contain lycopene, which is a very powerful antioxidant and may help greatly in reducing the risk of prostate cancer. A six-ounce glass of grapefruit juice daily has been shown to reduce the activity of an enzyme that activates cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke. It may also be helpful in the treatment of esophageal cancer.
Anti-Inflammatory
Grapefruit works as an anti-inflammatory and is therefore helpful with chest congestion, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other inflammatory disorders. It may also be helpful in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Immune Booster
Grapefruits can help to strengthen the respiratory and immune system and relieve cold and flu symptoms. With all these amazing health benefits, you can see why grapefruits are a perfect example of how eating fresh, whole foods can strengthen the body and help create wellness.
CAUTION: Grapefruit can interact with common medications, including those that lower cholesterol, treat high blood pressure, and more. If you take medication, you may want to consult your physician or pharmacist before adding grapefruit to your diet.
Linda Miner is a registered nutritionist specializing in metabolic typing. Miner works with clients to help them restore their health by re-establishing balance in the body. This article was originally published on NaturallySavvy.com
