Though many fruits and veggies each have their own unique nutrient contents, there are a number of benefits of grapefruit that many aren’t aware of. In fact, the odds are that if you knew just how healthful this fruit can be, you might start including it as a part of your diet on a more regular basis.
Many people do find it to be quite sour, but the benefits of grapefruit – whether consumed in its pink, red or white variety – are quite astounding. These natural foods are packed with vitamins and minerals and their combination can make them quite healthful for many people.
That said, before you head out to the grocery store to buy a bushel of them, make sure to speak with your doctor as grapefruits can change the effects of many common prescription medications and supplements.
If you’re not taking any medications that could create a contradiction, then you might be interested to learn about the following benefits of grapefruit.
Immune system support – though you likely already know that this fruit contains vitamin C, you may not realize exactly how much of this incredible nutrient is actually present. If you eat half a grapefruit, you’ll already receive around 78 percent of your daily recommended intake of the nutrient.
Reduces the risk of kidney stones – the reason this fruit tastes as sour as it does is that it contains naringenin. Love it or hate it in terms of taste, your body can greatly benefit from naringenin, because it has been shown in studies to be successful in reducing the risk of kidney cysts. Moreover, it also produces anti-inflammatory effects that reduce kidney swelling that is caused by retaining fluids. A daily dose of this fruit can help in an overall effort to prevent kidney cysts from forming.
Enhances the metabolism – if you’re trying to lose or maintain your weight, then adding grapefruit to your diet can help you in that effort. While it is not a weight loss solution, in itself, when combined with an overall healthful diet and regular exercise routine, eating grapefruits can speed up the metabolism so that it will burn more fat even while you are at rest. This was demonstrated in a 2006 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food. It is believed that this is the result of the high water content, low sodium and large number of enzymes in grapefruit.
Aside from those main advantages, it is also believed that grapefruits can help you to fight gum disease, provide protection against some cancers and even reduce your stress levels.
