This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 4:40 pm and is filed under Fruit, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Many of us are now looking forward to a well earned break and even as I write this my mind wanders: I picture myself on a beach in the early morning, just as the sun is waking, eating my freshly picked grapefruit. Is it just me that considers the grapefruit’s acidity and high water content so refreshing? Probably not, but seeing as most fruits are high in water content and refreshing it is probably that time where I look a little more deeply into this bitter fruit.
What is in a Grapefruit?
Nutrients are based on 100 grams
- Calories: 37.40 kcal
- Protein: 0.81 grams
- Carbohydrates: 9.75 grams
- Fibre: 1.3 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Calcium: 11.38 milligrams
- Phosphorus: 12.19 milligrams
- Potassium: 147.15 milligrams
- Zinc: 0.08 milligrams
- Iron: 0.08 milligrams
- Magnesium: 8.94 milligrams
- Vitamin A: 26.02 micrograms
- Vitamin B1: 0.032 milligrams
- Vitamin B2: 0.016 milligrams
- Vitamin B3: 0.16 milligrams
- Vitamin B6: 0.04 milligrams
- Vitamin C: 38.21 milligrams
- Vitamin E: 0.25 micrograms
- Folate (folic acid): 12.19 micrograms
(Fat content doesn’t get any lower than that! - Beeble)
What do these figures mean?
Of course you could help but notice the fact that this is a great zero fat food that also happens to have a zero reading on the cholesterol content as well! It has a good quantity of vitamin C (like all fruit does! - Beeble), calcium, magnesium and potassium, which all point to a healthy inclusion to your diet this summer.
Why eat a Grapefruit?
Studies have shown that the grapefruit can help in the reduction of cholesterol. They also contain an acid called salicylic acid which is similar to a component of aspirin. Salicylic acid is used for skin conditions and is a key ingredient of creams and remedies that are applied externally, for example on warts, acne and corns. Salicylic acid can also be used as an anti-inflammatory and so it can help with arthritic conditions when ingested. This anti-inflammatory effect can also help with easing the effects of throat and mouth infections.
Extra information on the Grapefruit
You should also note that the red and pink variety of grapefruit are identical in content and the white variety has virtually the same nutritional benefits as its cousins bar one and that is its vitamin A content. Whilst the pink and red siblings have a healthy helping of vitamin A the white centered grapefruit has virtually none.
But be careful…
Limit the amount of grapefruit you eat if you are a post-menopausal woman. A study in 2007 showed a link between eating a quarter of a grapefruit daily and a 30% increase in risk of breast cancer for women at this time of life.
Summary
A great low fat, no cholesterol natural medicine of the fruit world, tuck in and enjoy those long summer days!
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July 25th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Hi Hugo,
Woooohhh, how can you manage to eat fresh grapefruit? It is so acidic, bitter, sour, and it also has tart taste! Is there a way we can reduce the sourness? I know it helps lower cholesterol, but eating it fresh … lol
Have a great time blogging!
Thanks again for the recent visit.
Bay
August 15th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I eat grapefruit early in the morning as it is supposed to help with digestion for the rest of the day which in turn helps you lose weight. Some can have a funny taste but red ones tend to be nicer. Try it in a smoothie?