Grapefruits are fruits with highest water content. Have you ever been to the market on a tight budget and picked up a packet of chips instead of a fruit? After reading this article, you will surely rush to the aisle where the fresh produce is stacked and pick up a large bag full of grapefruits. Since they are so commonly available, we tend to ignore the multiple health benefits of grapefruits. Grapefruits seeds are also one of the best natural antibiotics. Here is a list of the 10 health benefits of grapefruits that will make you a healthier person.
Health Benefits of Grapefruits
1. Weight loss
Grapefruit is widely recommended by doctors and dieticians as a perfect fruit for weight loss. Firstly, grapefruits have very low levels of carbohydrates and consist mostly of water so eating a lot of grapefruits is the way to go if you want to lose weight without starving yourself. They also have compounds that reduce insulin levels in the body and reduce the metabolism of sugars to fats. Another benefit of grapefruits is the enzymes present in the juice that help in the faster metabolism of stored fats. We also want you to read about health benefits of cherries.
2. Cancer
Grapefruits are a boon when it comes to preventing cancer because they have all the right chemicals to held decreases the risk of multiple cancers like colon cancer, lung cancer, and oral cancer. It has flavonoids, which reduce the generation of free radicals, a major known contributor to cancer. The chemicals present in grapefruit also help in maintaining a healthy mucous membrane and preventing lung and oral cancer. However, this is just one of the many benefits of grapefruits.
3. Vision
Deterioration of vision occurs with age due to degeneration of ocular membranes. Alternatively, lack of pigment cells can also cause reduced vision. One of the health benefits of grapefruits is that it has compounds that help prevent both kinds of vision impairment. It has lycopene, beta carotene, xanthin and lutein which help in maintaining the eye muscles and pigment cells and also contains vitamin A and antioxidants which improve the health of eye muscles and prevent the formation of free radicals. You will also love reading about health benefits of aloe vera.
4. Arthritis
Arthritis is a disorder of the joints that causes reduced or painful movement of joints and usually occurs due to old age. The main cause of this painful movement is the accumulation of calcium in the spaces between the joints that leads to friction between joints. One of the health benefits of grapefruits is that it delays the onset of arthritis. It has salicylic acid, which helps in breaking down the accumulated calcium in the joints and helps in free, painless movement. Drinking one portion of grapefruit juice with apple cider vinegar is the best combination for preventing arthritis.
For more information you can also check the complete guide to Living With Arthritis: Can Diet Help Improve Symptoms? from medicalprices.co.uk.
5. Infection
Each one of us is plagued by infections some time or the other and no one likes a runny nose or a sore throat. Here is where the grapefruit comes in! it contains flavonoids and Vitamin C that help in boosting immunity, keeping the disease fighting white blood cells healthy and thus reducing the chances of infection. The famous adage prevention is better than cure is more true here than anywhere else. There are not just many healthy benefits of grapefruits but it tastes good too! Drinking one glass of grapefruit juice a day is much easier on the tongue than gulping down bitter cold medicine.
6. Controlling Cholesterol
Millions of people suffer from cholesterol problems which can lead to dangerous consequences. Doctors always recommend dietary changes for people who want to reduce cholesterol and adding a glass of grapefruit juice to your morning breakfast is the perfect way to do this. A good news for those who want to avoid taking cholesterol reducing medication is that studies have shown grapefruits can reduce cholesterol levels up to 15 %and can decrease triglyceride levels up to 17%. It has no harmful side effects and is also very tasty!
7. Liver Cleanser
The liver in the human body is responsible for processing and detoxifying any poisonous substances that may enter the human body (this includes alcohol), but it too needs detoxification once in a while. The health benefit a grapefruit provides includes detoxification of the liver. Compounds in grapefruit like antioxidants and Phyto nutrients called limonoids make toxins stored in the liver more water soluble and thus helps in their excretion.
8. Gum problems
Grapefruits are miracle fruits that have some compound that helps prevent every disease and gum disease is one of them. Bleeding of the gums is one of the most common dental problem people suffer from and this can be due to lack of dental hygiene and a deficiency of vitamin C. Grapefruit contains plenty of vitamin C t help combat the nutritional issue and the citrus tang also keeps your breath smelling fresh. Grapefruits also help prevent periodontal disease by increasing the amount of vitamin C in the body.
9. Respiratory benefits
Various studies on the health benefits of grapefruit have shown that it can help prevent respiratory diseases and also reduce the severity of asthma. Grapefruits contain a high concentration of Vitamin C and Vitamin C rich foods also reduces wheezing symptoms in children and aids in treating asthma, chronic cough, shortness of breath and even runny nose. Furthermore, the minerals present in grapefruits also help in regeneration of cells and help boost immunity during the winter months to prevent infections from external sources.
10. Prevents kidney stones
Kidney stones, medically known as renal calculi, are masses of minerals and salts formed in the kidneys or bladder due to improper hydration. The main cause of this disease is not drinking enough fluids and since grapefruits are rich in fluids, drinking grapefruit juice helps eliminate the major cause of this disease. Though kidney stones can be removed, they can sometimes be highly painful and major surgery may be required to remove them depending on the placement and size of the stones. Instead, grapefruit juice can help prevent this whole mess since it had high quantities of vitamin C and helps to increase urinary pH and hasten the rate at which citric acid is secreted, thus leading to a healthy urinary tract.
So have you picked up a glass of grapefruit juice yet? Also, please read about health benefits of strawberries.
