|
There are lots of grapefruit nutrition facts to take into
consideration when planning a healthy diet. The health benefits
of grapefruit are high as this fruit provides a rich a source of
antioxidants making it a powerful detoxifier. |
|
The vitamins in grapefruit include vitamin B3, B5, C and E. The
fruit's vitamin C content is very high, this is a very important
vitamin as it can assist the body in many ways. Vitamin C
strengthens the immune system, helping our bodies to combat
colds, flu and even major illnesses. |
Grapefruit
Vitamin C provides healing powers
which help our bodies to repair damaged or broken skin. The
nutritional value of grapefruit can be very beneficial to us as
the fruit provides many essential vitamins, minerals and
nutrients.
The bioflavonoids and potassium in grapefruit
is also high, especially in pink varieties, properties which aid
circulation and the heart. This fruit is high in fibre and the
grapefruit pulp provides pectin which is a soluble fibre. Pectin
can assist the body by helping it to eradicate cholesterol and
toxins.
The natural grapefruit fibre can encourage the
digestive system significantly, consequently encouraging healthy
weight loss. It can also relieve constipation. Grapefruit seeds
provide compounds which are anti-fungal and can be taken in
grapefruit seed extract form.
Grapefruit Varieties
There are different types of grapefruit available across the
world, varying from white grapefruit to pink or ruby grapefruit.
The pinker the grapefruit, generally the sweeter the taste.
The most common type of grapefruit has yellow skin with
yellow to pink flesh. In the United States of America, the
grapefruit trees produce very well indeed, with Florida, Texas,
Arizona and California being some of the main states to grow
this fruit with named varieties such as Ruby Red and Rio Red
Grapefruit.
Sweetie
Grapefruit - There is a variety of
grapefruit known by the name of Sweetie or Oroblanco Grapefruit.
The Sweetie grapefruit has green skin and tastes sweeter than
most other varieties. It has less pips and seeds, and it's a
little larger in size than the average grapefruits, however,
once the skin is discarded, the size of the edible fruit is far
smaller. This is an American variety which derives from
California. The Oroblanco tree produces fruit ready to eat
during the months of October to December.
Florida
Grapefruit - this popular ruby red grapefruit is sometimes known
by the name of Indian River Grapefruit as one of the areas where
this delicious fruit is grown, is Florida's Indian River.
Grapefruits are low in calories, this is a fruit which is
bursting with health benefits whether its eaten raw, fresh,
canned or dried. The amount of calories in grapefruit depends on
the method the grapefruit is served, for example if the fruit is
served with honey or sugar, obviously it will contain more
calories. Grapefruit is extremely low in fat, if not fat-free.
The following calorie guide can be used to calculate the
amount of grapefruit calories and carbohydrates:
Calories
in Grapefruit per 100 grams:
Raw grapefruit - 30 calories /
6.8 carb
Canned grapefruit in juice - 48 calories / 10.5
carbs |
Grapefruit
Grapefruit
is a type of citrus fruit, in fact, it is the largest of the
citrus family, measuring around 10 to 18cm in diameter.
Grapefruit can be juiced, eaten raw on its own or added to a
recipe such as fruit salad. The skin of a grapefruit it tough,
fragranced and contains essential oils. The color of grapefruit
can vary from yellow to pink.
The edible part of the
fruit grows in segments. Each grapefruit segment consists of
delicious, juicy flesh, bursting with health benefits. This is a
large sour fruit that is likened by many, the yellow varieties
are usually the most bitter tasting with pink grapefruit being a
little sweeter. The nutritional value of grapefruit is very good
making it is an ideal breakfast fruit that will give you an
excellent start to the day.
The grapefruit diet is an
excellent way to lose weight as its a healthy fruit which
provides excellent health benefits and a rich source of fiber.
The history of grapefruit dates way back to the days of the West
Indian fruit known as the shaddock or pomelo, from which the
grapefruit is thought to have derived.
Grapefruit and
Diabetes
It is thought that grapefruit can interfere with the
some medications, including the function of cholesterol tablets
which lower cholesterol, therefore, it may not be an ideal fruit
for diabetics or anybody else receiving medication for
cholesterol problems. Anybody with diabetes should consult their
GP first.
Picking and Storing Grapefruit
Grapefruits
have tough skin which protects the fruit from getting damaged,
however, always pick grapefruit with nice looking, firm,
unblemished skin. The fruit doesn't continue to ripen once it's
been picked from the tree, therefore, it will keep for a week or
so in the refrigerator or a cool place. Generally, the heavier
the fruit, the juicier the content.
Segmenting
Grapefruit
The easiest way to eat grapefruit is to cut the fruit in half,
remove the pips and spoon the flesh out. You can sweeten the
fruit if you desire with a little sugar or a drizzle of honey.
This fruit makes an ideal snack, breakfast food, starter or
dessert.
If you would like to juice a grapefruit, simply cut
the fruit in half, remove the seeds and squeeze it straight into
a glass.
If you would like to segment the fruit to use in
a recipe such as grapefruit salad to accompany chicken and
avocado, simply follow these instructions:
1. Cut the
grapefruit in half.
2. Spoon or scrape the seeds out.
3.
Follow the lines defining the segments with a knife, cutting
into the flesh only. Start at the centre cutting outwards. Cut
around the segments then remove the central membrane. The
segments should detach fairly easily. |
|