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January 2015 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net |
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FOOD
BITES
@healthykentucky
CITRUS
PARADISI
IS DIETER’S
DELIGHT
By Tanya Tyler,
Staff Writer
If your New Year’s
resolution is to lose
weight, you should
pay close attention
to this article. Grapefruit will probably find a prominent place on your
menu, as it does with many other
dieters.
The grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)
is a hybrid of the pomelo and the
sweet orange. It’s called grapefruit
because the clusters of the fruit on
the tree look like bunches of grapes.
It was discovered in Barbados in
the 18th century and brought to
Florida in 1823. The Sunshine State
is still a major producer of the fruit,
along with California, Arizona and
Texas.
Grapefruit is a good
source of vitamins C,
B1, A and E, as well as
fiber and potassium.
It is low in calories (52
in one half), which
makes it attractive
to dieters.
Grapefruit
Whether it’s ruby red, pink or
white (blond), citrusy sweet, tart or
acidic, grapefruit is a good source
of vitamins C, B1, A and E, as well
as fiber and potassium. It is low in
calories (52 in one half ), which
makes it attractive to dieters. Pink
and red grapefruit have lycopene,
reported to possess anti-tumor
properties and a strong capacity to
fight cell-damaging free radicals.
Phytonutrients called limonoids in
grapefruit inhibit tumor formation
and help fight, skin, lung, breast
and colon cancer. However, some
studies suggest postmenopausal
women who consume a quart or
more of grapefruit juice every day
have a 25-percent to 30-percent
increased chance of developing
breast cancer because grapefruit
juice can increase estrogen levels.
Therefore, women with a higher
than usual risk for developing breast
cancer should not drink excessive
amounts of grapefruit juice.
Studies have shown grapefruit
helps lower cholesterol. Red grapefruit in particular is more than
twice as effective as pink grapefruit,
especially in lowering triglycerides. Both red and pink grapefruit
improve the level of protective antioxidants in the blood.
The “grapefruit diet” – which
claimed a dieter could lose 10
pounds in 10 days – operated on
the theory that the fruit’s low glycemic index can help the body’s
metabolism burn fat. Other
research has demonstrated grapefruit helps prevent weight gain by
lowering insulin levels and stabilizing blood-sugar levels.
Other parts of the grapefruit,
including the seed extract and
oil, are used as various remedies.
Grapefruit seed extract combats
bacterial, viral and fungal infections. It can be used as a facial
cleanser and a remedy for skin
irritation. Grapefruit oil, also used
as a fragrance enhancement in
soaps and cosmetics, helps with hair
growth, skin toning and acne.
Be careful if you eat grapefruit
or drink grapefruit juice while
taking certain medications, especially statins. Grapefruit juice might
interfere with how quickly the liver
breaks down some medications,
and caffeine, too. According to one
source, researchers have identified
85 drugs with which grapefruit is
known to have an adverse reaction.
It inhibits the enzymes and increases the effects and potency of some
drugs by increasing their bioavailability. Harmful side effects include
gastrointestinal bleeding. Check
with your doctor or pharmacist
if you think your medication will
react adversely to grapefruit.
Although it’s available year
round, the grapefruit’s best season
runs from winter through early
spring – just in time to get your diet
going and keep you motivated to
stick to it.