Grapefruit is a large subtropical citrus fruit generally recognized for its slightly bitter and sour taste. It was first produced in Barbados as a hybrid fruit that resulted from a cross between pomelo and sweet orange. Grapefruit was named after the grape, because grapefruits grow in clusters like grapes.
Many grapefruit varieties are being cultivated in different countries such as the United States and China. The well-known varieties include those with red, pink and white pulp. Like all other citrus fruits, grapefruit is loaded with vitamin C, although this is not the only benefit that you can get from grapefruit. Here are five other health benefits of grapefruit.
1. Grapefruit Helps in Losing Weight
Grapefruit is high in enzymes that burn fats, has high water content and has less sodium. A combination of these three characteristics make grapefruit a perfect food for increasing your body’s metabolism. Try eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice every day and you will notice how quickly you lose those extra pounds.
2. Prevents Arthritis and Works as an Antiseptic
Grapefruit contains salicylic acid that helps break down the body’s inorganic calcium, which builds up in the cartilage of joints and may lead to arthritis. If you have arthritis, try drinking grapefruit juice with apple cider vinegar. You will notice a reduction in your arthritis symptoms.
The salicylic acid in grapefruit also works as a powerful antiseptic. In addition, grapefruit seed extracts can be added to water to make an antiseptic spray for treating bacterial and fungal infections.
3. Grapefruit Helps in Cancer Prevention
Lycopene is a carotenoid pigment that is responsible for the red color of grapefruit. It is a powerful agent against tumors and cancers as it acts as a scavenger of cancer-causing free radicals. Lycopene works best with vitamins A and C, which are also found in grapefruit.
An antioxidant compound, called naringenin, is also found in grapefruit. Naringenin helps repair damaged DNA in prostate cancer cells. DNA repair contributes to cancer prevention as it impedes the reproduction of cancer cells.
4. Grapefruit Helps Lower Cholesterol Levels
The antioxidants found in grapefruit are effective in reducing cholesterol levels. However, if you are on prescription drugs, do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice. Grapefruit has a negative reaction against many prescription drugs such as those used in treating depression, allergies, high blood pressure, seizures, impotence, heart palpitations and even HIV. Inform your physician if you want to use grapefruit as a regular form of treatment.
5. Grapefruit Treats Common Ailments
Eating grapefruit or drinking its juice helps treat common cold and fever, dissolve gallstones, boost liver function and enhance immunity against infections. As grapefruit contains a dietary fiber called pectin, it thus promotes better digestion. In addition, if you want to have a healthy and smooth skin, try including grapefruit in your diet.
You can get many other benefits from grapefruit because it also contains essential elements such as iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, folic acid and B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin and niacin). You can even extract oil from grapefruit peel for use in aromatherapy.
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06-13-2013, 08:39 AM #1
GrapeFruit Health Benefits and Weight Loss
Let me give you a bit of warning: just because you get very good at your training it should not go to your head that you are an expert.
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06-13-2013, 08:42 AM #2
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06-13-2013, 08:46 AM #3
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06-13-2013, 08:54 AM #4No brain, no gain.
"The fitness and nutrition world is a breeding ground for obsessive-compulsive behavior. The irony is that many of the things people worry about have no impact on results either way, and therefore aren't worth an ounce of concern."--Alan Aragon
Where the mind goes, the body follows.
Ironwill Gym:
https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showpost.php?p=629719403&postcount=3388
Ironwill2008 Journal:
https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=157459343&p=1145168733
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06-13-2013, 09:06 AM #5
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06-13-2013, 09:15 AM #6
A new study, published in Nutrition & Metabolism, concluded that enjoying a pre-meal snack of grapefruit, grapefruit juice or water as part of a reduced-calorie diet can be part of an effective weight loss strategy for obese adults.(1)
Researchers at Vanderbilt University found that obese adults who consumed half a grapefruit, about a half-cup (4.5 ounces) of 100 percent grapefruit juice or about a half-cup (4.5 ounces) of water before three main meals, while on a reduced-calorie diet, experienced significant decreases in weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. Following the 14-week study, participants experienced an average weight loss of 7.1 percent of their initial body weight. This translates to an average of about 15 pounds per person.
"There's often a misconception that 100 percent fruit juice should be omitted by those on a weight loss plan," says Heidi J. Silver, PhD, RD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Vanderbilt Center for Human Nutrition. "However, this study shows that consumption of a half-cup of 100 percent grapefruit juice led to similar weight loss results as those who chose fresh grapefruit or water as a pre-meal snack three times daily. As with any food or beverage, it's all about moderation while on a weight loss plan."
Benefits of Grapefruit and Grapefruit Juice Consumption Go Beyond Weight Loss
While the study shows that participants who consumed a serving of grapefruit or 100 percent grapefruit juice before meals lost the same average weight as those who drank water, these individuals experienced additional potentially significant benefits not reported in the water-drinking group:
Increase in HDL cholesterol – Participants who ate half a grapefruit or drank a half-cup of grapefruit juice experienced a significant increase in HDL cholesterol, often referred to as "good" cholesterol – the magnitude of increase in HDL-C could have significant cardiovascular benefits.
Decrease in appetite – Those who enjoyed about a half-cup of grapefruit juice as their pre-meal snack reported a significant decrease in appetite.
Increase in key nutrient intake – Daily consumption of fresh grapefruit or 100 percent grapefruit juice also led to a significant increase in vitamin C intake. Additionally, those who ate half a grapefruit as their pre-meal snack had the added benefit of increasing their fiber intake.
"These findings are noteworthy given that dietary fiber and vitamin C are generally under-consumed by the U.S. population,"(2) adds Gail Rampersaud, MS, RD, LDN, Assistant in Nutrition Research and Education, University of Florida. "Quite often, individuals inadvertently reduce nutrient intake while on a weight loss plan. Grapefruit and 100 percent grapefruit juice are nutrient-rich, making regular consumption an ideal and convenient way to obtain essential vitamins and minerals while maintaining a healthy, reduced-calorie diet."Let me give you a bit of warning: just because you get very good at your training it should not go to your head that you are an expert.
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06-13-2013, 09:28 AM #7No brain, no gain.
"The fitness and nutrition world is a breeding ground for obsessive-compulsive behavior. The irony is that many of the things people worry about have no impact on results either way, and therefore aren't worth an ounce of concern."--Alan Aragon
Where the mind goes, the body follows.
Ironwill Gym:
https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showpost.php?p=629719403&postcount=3388
Ironwill2008 Journal:
https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=157459343&p=1145168733
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06-13-2013, 09:36 AM #8
Why is it that most healthy diets include eating a grapefruit for breakfast? One reason is its high amount of fiber. An orange has seven grams of fiber while a banana has four. And a grapefruit? It has twelve grams of fiber. The fiber contained in a grapefruit helps in food digestion, reduces ones risk for colon cancer and lowers cholesterol levels. Grapefruits also have plenty of vitamin C, which heals wounds, repairs cartilage or bones, and even protects us from cardiovascular disease and cancer! Grapefruits also contain pectin, vitamin A, and potassium. Pectin removes plaque in the blood vessels, which reduces cholesterol. Vitamin A is a necessity for your eye health. Potassium helps your neurological health and keeps your cells functioning properly.
Grapefruits have a low amount of fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. It is a fruit that reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease; it’s good for your heart! This particular fruit removes excess inorganic calcium found in the cartilage of our joints. Such excess calcium leads to arthritis. This fruit can even help improve your health during a cold or fever.
Obesity is definitely something to avoid when attempting to prevent breast cancer. Luckily, the grapefruit can help in weight loss as it is low in sodium and high in enzymes that burn fat. It also has a good amount of water, which increases metabolism.
Most importantly, the grapefruit has antioxidants with cancer-fighting properties. It is high in lycopene and liminoids, substances that prevent tumor formation. Lycopene is a carotenoid or the red-colored substance found in grapefruits. The grapefruit is also capable of repairing damaged DNA in prostate cancer cells. Grapefruits boost the immune system, which is so great when it comes to preventing cancer. Clearly, this fruit needs to be added to everyone’s diet!Let me give you a bit of warning: just because you get very good at your training it should not go to your head that you are an expert.
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06-13-2013, 09:37 AM #9
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06-13-2013, 09:39 AM #10
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06-13-2013, 10:14 AM #11
Would not go through argument with any poster here. Natural Food do not need any proof. Who is open minded not stuck in "I need a proof for every single thing" would surely understand and cheer my threads, not The Sky is Blue?, "No I need a proof", such people are not worth for reply.
A side joke, if I create threads for all natural food, some people would still ask "What is your proof?"
Well, if you do not eat cucumber, tomato, spinach, broccoli, grapefruit, honey, kale, asparagus, turmeric, lettuce, artichoke, mango, papaya, berries..etc
What do you eat?! Seriously!! Do you live on supplements pills tablets powder!?!!! Wake Up!! Have A Life!!Let me give you a bit of warning: just because you get very good at your training it should not go to your head that you are an expert.
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06-13-2013, 10:22 AM #12
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06-13-2013, 10:24 AM #13
I deep fry my grapefruit and cover it with cheese, lard, peanut butter and gummi bears. Shockingly, it doesn't work as well.
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This Machine Kills Fascists.
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BULKING LOG : http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=137967093&pagenumber=
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BTK - Bleed Time Krew
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"He runs, an activity that we defeated eons ago when humans discovered we are slower than every other animal on earth and can ride horses" - joelash302
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06-13-2013, 10:33 AM #14
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06-13-2013, 10:35 AM #15
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06-13-2013, 10:42 AM #16No brain, no gain.
"The fitness and nutrition world is a breeding ground for obsessive-compulsive behavior. The irony is that many of the things people worry about have no impact on results either way, and therefore aren't worth an ounce of concern."--Alan Aragon
Where the mind goes, the body follows.
Ironwill Gym:
https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showpost.php?p=629719403&postcount=3388
Ironwill2008 Journal:
https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=157459343&p=1145168733
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06-13-2013, 10:48 AM #17
So your argument is....just so we're clear..... That you don't need facts or proof to believe the silly, stupid things you believe because the sky is blue?
REPPED.---
This Machine Kills Fascists.
---
BULKING LOG : http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=137967093&pagenumber=
---
BTK - Bleed Time Krew
---
"He runs, an activity that we defeated eons ago when humans discovered we are slower than every other animal on earth and can ride horses" - joelash302
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06-13-2013, 11:01 AM #18
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06-13-2013, 11:54 AM #19
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06-13-2013, 11:57 AM #20---
This Machine Kills Fascists.
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BULKING LOG : http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=137967093&pagenumber=
---
BTK - Bleed Time Krew
---
"He runs, an activity that we defeated eons ago when humans discovered we are slower than every other animal on earth and can ride horses" - joelash302
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06-13-2013, 12:03 PM #21
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06-13-2013, 01:30 PM #22
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