Grapefruits – One Fruit, Too Many Benefits

Only on hearing the name of grapefruits or seeing them in the produce alley, can make our faces scrunch up and the palate cringe. Although the tad sour and bitter grapefruit might not tinge some taste buds, its pink, white, and red pulp varieties come loaded with minerals and vitamins, which add on to the fruits many health boons. This moon-shaped fruit not only is rich in vitamin C but also gives us many other health benefits. Read on to know how this fruit plays an important role in the biology of your system.

Prevents Asthma

The possibility of developing asthma is lower in those who consume a good amount of few nutrients. Vitamin C is one of these nutrients, found in many vegetables and fruits including grapefruit.

Good for the skin

The antioxidant which is vitamin C, when consumed in its natural form or applied on the skin topically, helps to battle skin damage which is caused due to the pollution and sun, reduces wrinkles and improves the overall texture of the skin. Vitamin C plays an important role in the collagen formation, which is the main support of skin. Vitamin A and hydration are also important for a healthy looking skin, the two of which grapefruit provides.

Good digestion

Due to its fibre and water content, grapefruits helps prevent constipation, thereby promoting a good functioning digestive tract.

Cancer

Grapefruit is a great source of the antioxidant vitamin C and also other antioxidants as well. It can thus fight the formation of the free radicals, which cause cancer. The intake of Lycopene has been associated with a decreased possibility of prostate cancer in many studies and the fruits rich in beta carotene and vitamin C have been proved to lower the dangers of oesophageal cancer particularly.

Hydration

Grapefruit is one of the fruits, which is very hydrating as it is made up of almost 92% water and full of essential electrolytes. It is a good snack to have in hand to avoid dehydration.

Stroke

As per the American Heart Association, consuming high amounts of a certain compound which are found in citrus fruits such as grapefruits and oranges may lower stroke risk in women. Those women who consumed the most amounts of citrus fruits had a 19 percent lower ischemic stroke risk by 19 percent than those who ate the least. So well if you want to live longer, eat lots of grapefruits!

Kidney stone

Narigenin, which is known for the bitter taste in grapefruit, is found to successfully avert the formation of the kidney cysts. This compound, which occurs naturally, regulates PKD2 protein, which is responsible for kidney stones. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects help in preventing formation of cysts and also reduce the swelling in kidneys, which is caused due to fluid retention. Drinking up to one glass grapefruit juice every day will help achieve the greatest benefits to effectively block the kidney cyst formation.

From kidney stroke to cancer, the list is endless. With so many advantages of grapefruit, your fruit basket UK should definitely not be deprived of one.