Grapefruit is a tropical fruitwhich comes from Barbados and is most likely a cross between a giant orange and a Chinese orange. Features sweet and sour taste with a hint of bitterness and extremely valuable nutritional values. Some people, however, must refrain from consuming it.
Grapefruit is a real treasure trove of health, what’s more low calorie. One medium-sized citrus fruit contains approximately 104 kcal. It provides the body with a large dose of vitamins A, C, E, PP and those from group B. It is also a source antioxidants, fiber and mineralsincluding calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, manganese, fluorine and potassium. Consuming one piece meets the daily need for vitamin C and 1/3 of the need for vitamin A.
What properties does grapefruit have?
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Thanks to antioxidants has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer properties,
- 90% fruit it consists of water, that’s why it hydrates perfectly and does not provide the body with unnecessary calories,
- thanks to fiber – accelerates metabolism and intestinal peristalsis, provides a feeling of satiety for longer,
- fruit detoxifies the body,
- strengthens immunity and improves the body’s reaction during infections,
- it also has a positive effect on the heart because lowers too high cholesterol and blood pressure levels. This way prevents atherosclerosis,
- citrus replenishes vitamin and mineral deficienciesimproving general well-being and fitness,
- vitamins and antioxidants it contains they take care of the skin’s healthy and younger appearancecounteracting the aging of the body,
- Grapefruit also has a low glycemic index (IG = 20), so it is recommended for the prevention of diabetes and for diabetics. Regulates blood glucose levels.
Although citrus has so many health benefits, it… it is very harmful for many people. The fruit can interact with various types of drugs. On the one hand, grapefruit contains furanocoumarin, a chemical compound that has anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, but also inhibits the metabolism of drugs. The enzyme responsible for breaking down the drug in the blood is blocked. The drug simply won’t work because its concentration is too low. On the other hand, citrus also affects the metabolism of medical preparations in the liver and small intestine, increasing their concentration in the blood. Then this may result in taking too much medicine and poisoning.
When using pharmacotherapy for chronic diseases, it is better to find out from your doctor or from the leaflet attached to the medicine whether you can eat fruit without any worries. What medications most often cannot be taken with or eaten with citrus fruits? The fruit interferes with the absorption of drugs that regulate heart function (cardiac) and lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Under the influence of fruit, the concentration of these drugs in the body can increase up to ten times.
It cannot be combined with anticoagulants or immunosuppressants, antiallergic, anticancer, mental illnesses and urinary tract diseases, contraceptive pills, antibiotics, cough syrups (containing dextromethorphan) and opioids and painkillers (which contain fentanyl and oxycodone).
If you do not take medications, you can benefit from the health-promoting properties of grapefruits all year round, because they are constantly available in the store. However, the best and freshest will be fruit purchased in winterbecause at this time the citrus fruits ripen.
Choose grapefruits that are not too large at first glance, but – after taking them in your hand – they are quite heavy. This means they will be juicier and full of flavor. If in addition, when pressed, they will turn out soft – you will be sure that they are already ripe. Also pay attention to the skin expressive, orange-red color. This is when the fruit has the most nutrients.
Once you buy fruit, you need to store it properly so that it doesn’t spoil too quickly. Keep them in a place with little sunlight, preferably at room temperature.
Source: Terazgotuje.pl, e-recepta.net, swiatleku.pl
