Grapefruits are low in calories
but full of nutrients. They support clear, healthy skin, help to lower
our risk for many diseases and conditions and may even help with weight
loss as part of an overall healthy and varied diet.
Nutritional breakdown of grapefruit
According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, half of a medium pink grapefruit, (3 ¾ in diameter) contains approximately 52 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of sodium, 0 grams of cholesterol, 13 grams of carbohydrate (including 8.5 grams of sugar and 2 grams of dietary fiber), and 1 gram of protein.
Eating half of a grapefruit per day will meet 64% of your vitamin C needs, 28% of vitamin A, 2% of calcium and 2% of magnesium. Grapefruits also contain small amounts of vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc and copper.
Eating half of a grapefruit per day will meet 64% of your vitamin C needs, 28% of vitamin A, 2% of calcium and 2% of magnesium. Grapefruits also contain small amounts of vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc and copper.
Weight loss
Grapefruit may not be a miracle weight loss food as touted in some previously popular fad diets, but consuming grapefruit as part of a healthy diet may just give you a little boost. The Scripps Clinic 'Grapefruit Diet' study, led by Dr. Ken Fujioka, monitored the weight and metabolic factors of 91 obese men and women for 12 weeks.
Each participant was randomly assigned to one of four groups to receive either placebo capsules along with 7 ounces of apple juice, grapefruit capsules with 7 ounces of apple juice, 8 ounces of grapefruit juice with a placebo capsule or half of a fresh grapefruit with a placebo capsule three times a day before each meal.
After 12 weeks, the fresh grapefruit group had lost the most weight at 3.52 lbs, the grapefruit juice group had lost 3.3 lbs, the grapefruit capsule group had lost 2.42 lbs, and the placebo group had lost 0.66 lbs. According to the researchers, there was also a significant reduction in 2-hour post-glucose insulin level in the grapefruit group compared with placebo. Half of a fresh grapefruit eaten before meals was also associated with improved insulin resistance.
After 12 weeks, the fresh grapefruit group had lost the most weight at 3.52 lbs, the grapefruit juice group had lost 3.3 lbs, the grapefruit capsule group had lost 2.42 lbs, and the placebo group had lost 0.66 lbs. According to the researchers, there was also a significant reduction in 2-hour post-glucose insulin level in the grapefruit group compared with placebo. Half of a fresh grapefruit eaten before meals was also associated with improved insulin resistance.
Here is how to prepare it this magical drink for lose weight extremely fast.
Ingredients:
- 1 large grapefruit (ripe)
- 1 tbsp honey, organic
Preparation:
- Cut the fruit in half, and remove the pulp using a spoon. You may prefer to keep it in the fridge before using it, as it will taste much better. Blend the pulp and honey until you get a nice and smooth texture.
- Take a few sips of this drink after your lunch, but always wait for 20 minutes before you drink it. It will burn about half of the calories you have eaten during the lunch. This drink has proven to be effective in the treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
Benefits of consuming grapefruit
Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many adverse health conditions. Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like grapefruit decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and overall mortality while promoting a healthy complexion, increased energy, and overall lower weight.
The variety of healthy components in this magical drink will protect your health, but pectin and lycopene are the most important. Pectin stimulates the excretion of excess cholesterol. By eating one grapefruit a day you can reduce bad cholesterol up to 15.5 percent and triglycerides by 27 percent. Pectin reduces insulin levels and regulates metabolism. Lycopene eliminates toxins and dangerous materia from the body.