Having fresh fruit daily, such as grapefruit, can help ward off certain diseases and illnesses as well as help you loose weight - not to mention, grapefruit is a delicious addition to any diet. The fact that it is filling and doesn't contain a lot of sugar, yet is extremely satisfying, may be a key in understanding why grapefruit is such a highly regarded diet fruit. The nutrition of grapefruit is not that complex.
Naringin
One of the most outstanding traits of a grapefruit that make it such a super fruit is naringin. Naringin is a flavonoid compound that is generally responsible for blocking fatty acid intake that can ultimately result in your body misusing or ineffectively using carbohydrates. Naringin is responsible for giving grapefruit the sour and bitter flavor people have grown to expect from it. Naringin is also one of the aspects of grapefruit that make it so appealing to dieters because it helps the body break down fats instead of storing them, leaving the metabolism to keep functioning at optimum levels.
Vitamins and Minerals
A single grapefruit is filled with plenty of vitamins and nutrients a body needs to stay healthy and functioning properly. Grapefruit is chalk full of vitamin C, which helps keep the immune system strong and fights illnesses. Folic acid is also present in grapefruit. Folic acid, like vitamin C, helps protect your heart form heart disease and other ailments. When combined with potassium, folic acid and vitamin C become powerhouses for the human body.
Grapefruit is also a large source of antioxidants that help reduce the risk of getting sick and build up the body's immune system and muscular and respiratory systems. Antioxidants are an important part of a person's diet to ensure muscle growth remains in tact and the body continues to function as a complete unit. Another part of the grapefruit that makes it irresistibly healthy is the existence of lycopene, a phytochemical that helps fight "bad" cholesterol and protects your artery walls from deteriorating from it.
Grapefruit juice is also an excellent way to gain all the benefits of grapefruit. Grapefruit juice can be mixed with other fruits in smoothies or can be drank alone as a refreshing and thirst-quenching breakfast treat.
Health Benefits
There have been many studies on the grapefruit that show it having excellent effects on the human body. It increases vitamin levels, supports healthy immune systems by utilizing vitamin C and other vitamins and helps with general "upkeep" of the body. Grapefruit is extremely good for the heart and arteries as well as for the body's muscles. It balances cholesterol and prevents fatty cells from collecting in the body, allowing the metabolism to work more effectively.
Drinking just 6 ounces of grapefruit juice a day may prevent certain kinds of cancerous growths from spreading or growing. Grapefruit juice has also been shown to reduce negative compounds from affecting the body.
