The nutritional value of grapefruit and its low calorie content make it an ideal daily food, with many health benefits such as weight control and antioxidant protection . Its unique taste allows it to be served differently every day of the week.
An average grapefruit contains 52 calories, no fat , 1 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber and 8.5 g of sugars. Each fruit also contains over 165 mg of potassium, 40 mg of vitamin C and over 15 milligrams of folic acid. In general, grapefruit has more vitamin C than any other citrus fruit and more than 2 times more potassium than similar citrus fruits.
According to the European Health Agency, all citrus fruits contain ingredients that are useful for the control and prevention of a number of diseases: cardiovascular and cancer, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, kidney stones and more. Especially vitamin C, which the fruit is very rich in, participates in the synthesis of collagen , acts as an antioxidant for all organs and systems and promotes the absorption of iron . Potassium acts as an electrolyte that promotes muscle function.
Daily intake of grapefruit or freshly squeezed juice is very conducive to weight loss and weight control, and behind these claims are many scientific studies and publications. In a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food , scientists from California demonstrated the effect. 410 people suffering from grade 2 obesity were divided into two equal groups - those taking pure grapefruit juice and those taking placebo - a juice without sugar or sweeteners, but not made from grapefruit. After 12 weeks of moderate exercise, all participants lost weight, but drinkers of grapefruit juice lost an average of 64% more fat than those taking placebo.
Scientific evidence suggests that eating whole fruits such as grapefruit is more beneficial than taking multivitamin supplements. The European Health Agency recommends daily consumption of citrus fruits as a better alternative to pharmaceutical supplements, because in addition to their vitamin content, they also bring the body phytochemicals , antioxidants and protective supplements that multivitamins do not provide .
It should be borne in mind that taking certain types of drugs, mainly for chronic diseases, can create problems in combination with the fetus. Its effect varies in strength, but often reduces the absorption of drugs by the body. This requires consultation with a doctor who has prescribed medication for cardiovascular or autoimmune diseases before proceeding to regular consumption of grapefruit.