HEALTHY FOOD · SEPTEMBER 2018
Phytonutrients
Grapefruit contains citrus limonoids
that help prevent cancerous
cells from spreading rapidly and
excessively. Limonoids have been
shown to help fight cancers of the
mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach,
and colon. Eating at least one
grapefruit each day or drinking an
8-ounce glass of juice promotes
a lower risk of getting cancer and
prohibits the growth of cancer cells.
Another phytonutrient contained in
pink and red grapefruit is lycopene,
which reduces tumor activity and
helps colon health.
THE DAILY BENEFITS
OF GRAPEFRUIT
G
rapefruit is a hybrid of two vitamin-packed fruits, the pomelo and the
orange. Both of these fruits have a multitude of health benefits, including
fiber, vitamins, and limonoids. Grapefruits are available year-round and,
when ripe, should be heavy for their size. Skin discoloration or scratches
do not affect the taste of the fruit, but bruised fruit should be avoided.
Store grapefruit at room temperature if you plan to eat it within a few days; otherwise,
refrigerate it for two to three weeks.
Weight Loss Vitamin C
Grapefruit provides the feeling of being
full due to its fiber content, about 2.5
grams per cup. It is also low in calories,
with just 74 calories per cup, making it the
ideal candidate for weight watchers and
health enthusiasts. Grapefruit is low in
sodium, allowing it to help flush out extra
water weight incurred by eating foods
with high sodium levels. It's also a good
source of potassium, giving you an energy
burst by relieving the waste build-up
within the body. Grapefruit contains 77 milligrams of
vitamin C in one fruit, more than 70
percent of the daily recommended value.
Vitamin C boosts the immune system
and fights the inflammatory assault by
free radicals, helping to prevent common
cold symptoms and reducing the severity
of health conditions such as asthma,
osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
This vitamin also benefits cardiovascular
health by reducing plaque build-up, which
can lead to heart attack and stroke.
Everyday Ways
to Eat Grapefruit
Replace your glass of orange juice
at breakfast with grapefruit juice.
Grapefruit is best eaten at room
temperature by peeling the skin and
dividing the sections of the flesh
in the natural jacket. Mix spinach
leaves, red grapefruit segments,
shrimp, and thinly sliced red onion,
and top with a dijon mustard
vinaigrette. Broiled grapefruit is a
simple dessert that is sweet and
sour. Give grapefruit halves’ a light
coating of cinnamon and sugar,
then place under the broiler until
caramelized. Serve with a spoonful
of low-fat plain yogurt for a healthy
and delicious breakfast or brunch.
By Joelle Taylor, MD
38 HEALTHY MAGAZINE