Reasons Why Eating Grapefruit can be Good for Your Health
Grapefruit is a citrus fruit full of essential nutrients that are good for skin, eyes and overall health.
Grapefruit can be tangy or bittersweet. The citrus fruits are from the island of Barbados and is mostly water. It not only provides moisture, but also ensures the healthy fruit is rich in vitamins and minerals it contains. Often found in a variety of pink and red colours, grapefruit can help with weight loss, strengthen the body, support healthy skin, and may also help regulate insulin levels.
Health Benefits of Grapefruit
1. Gut Health
Grapefruit does not have much fibre, but it is good for your stomach. According to the USDA, approximately 100 grams of grapefruit contains approximately 2 grams of fibre. Since it is rich in fibre, it can help prevent constipation and increase the number of good bacteria in the body.
2. Weight Management
The presence of fibre in grapefruits also means they may help you feel satisfied longer. Experts say if you stay full longer, you’ll eat less, which can help you lose weight.
3. Good for Hydration
Grapefruit is rich in water and keeps your body hydrated. According to the USDA, 100 grams of grapefruit contains approximately 88.1 grams of water. You need to stay hydrated to make sure your body is functioning properly. Some functions include delivering nutrients to cells, protecting joints and organs, and regulating body temperature.
4. Good for Skin
Grapefruits contain vitamin C, which protects the skin from sun damage, sunburn, inflammation and ageing. According to the USDA, if you eat 100 grams of grapefruit, you can get 31.2 milligrams of vitamin C.
5. Improved Immunity
Grapefruits contain plenty of vitamin C, which can help boost the immune system and protect us from illness. According to a 2017 study published in the journal Nutrients, people who took vitamin C recovered faster from the flu than those who did not.
6. Eye Health
Experts say that the beta-carotene in grapefruit is good for your eyes. It can help keep the area between your eyes moist and healthy. Therefore, you may not encounter problems such as dry eyes.
7. May reduce insulin resistance
According to a 2006 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, participants who ate oranges three times a day before meals had improved insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance compared to people who did not eat the fruit. Nutrients like fibre, Vitamin A and C present in grapefruits help maintain insulin resistance, and prevent diabetes.
8. May reduce the risk of ischaemic stroke
According to the American Heart Association, citrus fruits such as grapefruit contain flavonoids, which may reduce the risk of ischaemic stroke in women. An ischaemic stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is reduced or blocked, preventing brain tissue from receiving oxygen and nutrients.
Side Effects of Grapefruit
- Grapefruit may affect drug metabolism and reduce drug effects.
- Because grapefruit contains so much potassium, kidney patients cannot filter out excess potassium.
- It is very acidic and can therefore cause a heartburn.
- Eating oranges has many benefits, but people with stomach problems should try to stay away from citrus fruits.
Eating grapefruit regularly is generally safe but should be part of a healthy diet. Experts say you can eat half a grapefruit every day. You can enjoy it as a pre-meal snack or juice. It can be added to fruit salad and fresh fruit juices.