Wonders of Grapefruit

Grapefruit is a citrus fruit originally from Asia.  It has attractive colors that vary from orange, to yellow, or pink, and has a very peculiar taste that is sometimes acidic, sometimes sweet.  It is part of the Rutaceae family, and is a hybrid between sweet oranges and the citrus fruit, pomelo.  The primary producing countries today are the United States, followed by Argentina, Cuba, Mexico, Israel, Cyprus, Mozambique, and South Africa.  Today there are more than 1,600 species of grapefruit, but only 20 citrus variety species.

Grapefruit’s properties and nutritional value

• Anti-carcinogenic
• Cleansing
• Diuretic
• Appetizer
• Relaxing
• Antiseptic
• Contains a large percentage of water (more than 85%)
• Contains low amounts of carbohydrates and fiber
• High vitamin C content, which helps fight all sorts of infections, and to cleanse the body.
• Also rich in vitamins: A, B1, B2, B6
• Rich in minerals like Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Sulfur, Chlorine, and Sodium
• Contains folic acid, citrus, malic acid, nicotine, pantothenic acid, flavonoids, essential oils, beta-carotene, antioxidants.

Applications for health and beauty

• Excellent for weight-loss diets
• Helps treat problems with water retention (diuretic)
• Helps prevent and fight cancer
• Very useful in diets for those with high blood pressure
• Fights stress: its oil is used in aromatherapy, among others, for relaxing.
• Helps fight and prevent cholesterol and anemia
• Effective at helping cleanse the skin, while keeping it healthy and young.  The grapefruit diet helps detoxify and deeply cleanse the body (especially the intestines and blood).  This is reflected in both health and beauty of the skin.
• Helps with gout and arthritis.
• Strengthens the immune system during weakened periods.
• Recommended in diets for celiacs (those who are gluten-intolerant, contained in several grains like wheat, barley, oats, and rye).
• Helps strengthen and heal the liver.
• Useful for helping heal or prevent digestive and urinary tract disorders.
• Helps fight uric acid.
• CAUTION: Consult a professional regarding adequate consumption if you have gastritis, acid reflux, hiatal hernia, ulcers and/or kidney disease.

Ways to consume grapefruit:

Grapefruit can be eaten just like oranges: either juiced, cut in half ( the husks are very healthy), or used in salads, sauces, dressings, etc.  It is very healthy in children’s diets.  One way of opening your children to eating them is to offer them sections of the fruit with a bit of honey, or other fruit.  Grapefruit tea is excellent in weight loss diet, and can also be found in pills or dietary supplements.

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