Health Benefits of Grapefruit

Health Benefits of Grapefruit

When I was a kid some friends who arrived from Yercaud a hilly region in the South of India gave us some grape fruits. My mother made pickles out of it and sowed the seeds in a pot. To our amazement some seeds sprouted and only one grew into a great big tree producing plenty of grape fruits each year. It stood there for almost 15 years producing big grapefruits for us to enjoy.

The tree grows well in subtropical regions and is best known for the bitter fruits it produces. Grape fruits are rich in vitamin C. This vitamin fights cold, reduces the severity of asthma, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and promotes cardiovascular health. The red and pink varieties of grape fruit contains lycopene which is an antioxidant. Lycopene fights free radicals and prevent cell damage.

Grape fruit is very effective in fighting prostate cancer. It contains Limonoids which promotes our general wellbeing. Pectin a soluble fiber is present in grapefruit and slows down atherosclerosis. Grapefruit is believed to lower cholesterol levels. You can add fresh grape fruit pieces to your diet. If you are not comfortable with that idea then be known that researchers have turned grapefruit into powder which can be sprinkled on juices, purees, milk or tea. Dried fruit slices can also add variety to your diet. They can be used as a healthy snack with all the nutritional benefits intact.

Grapefruit prevents colon cancer. It contains a flavonoid Naringenin that helps repair damaged DNA in human prostate cancer cells. This flavonoid is responsible for the bitter taste of grapefruit and can be used in the treatment of diabetes. Grapefruits reduce the chances of women developing ischemic stroke risk.

Moving on to grapefruit juice it is among the top juices and posse’s highest level of antioxidant activity.  It prevents against kidney stone formation. But there is caution to be exercised when drinking this juice. Researchers say that grapefruit juice reduces the absorption of drugs and decreases its effectiveness. It can reduce the efficacy of drugs such as those prescribed for heart diseases, cancer, organ transplant and infections. If you are on medication always follow the doctor’s advice.