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Grapefruit Nutrition:
Facts and
Health Benefits
There are lots of nutrition facts to take into consideration when planning
a healthy diet. The health benefits of this fruit are
high as it provides a rich a source of
antioxidants making it a powerful detoxifier. The
vitamins in grapefruit include vitamin B3, B5, C and E.
The fruit's vitamin C content is very high, this is a
very important vitamin as it can assist the body in many
ways. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system, helping
our bodies to combat colds, flu and even major
illnesses. Vitamin C provides healing powers which help
our bodies to repair damaged or broken skin.
Grapefruit Nutrition:
Nutritional Value
The
nutritional value can be very beneficial
to us as the fruit provides many essential vitamins,
minerals and nutrients. The bioflavonoids and potassium
in grapefruit is also high, especially in pink
varieties, properties which aid circulation and the
heart. This fruit is high in fibre and the grapefruit
pulp provides pectin which is a soluble fibre. Pectin
can assist the body by helping it to eradicate
cholesterol and toxins. The natural grapefruit fibre can
encourage the digestive system significantly,
consequently encouraging healthy weight loss. It can
also relieve constipation. Grapefruit seeds provide
compounds which are anti-fungal and can be taken in
grapefruit seed extract form. |
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Grapefruit Nutrition:
Varieties and Nutritional Information
There are different types available across the world, varying from
white grapefruit to pink or ruby grapefruit. The pinker
the fruit, generally the sweeter the taste. The
most common type has yellow skin with
yellow to pink flesh. In the United States of America,
the grapefruit trees produce very well indeed, with
Florida, Texas, Arizona and California being some of the
main states to grow this fruit with named varieties such
as Ruby Red and Rio Red Grapefruit.
Sweetie Grapefruit
Nutrition: There is
a variety known by the name of Sweetie or
Oroblanco Grapefruit. The Sweetie grapefruit has
green skin and tastes sweeter than most other varieties.
It has less pips and seeds, and it's a little larger in
size than the average grapefruits, however, once the
skin is discarded, the size of the edible fruit is far
smaller. This is an American variety which derives from
California. The Oroblanco tree produces fruit ready to
eat during the months of October to December.
Florida Grapefruit
Nutrition: this
popular ruby red grapefruit is sometimes known by
the name of Indian River Grapefruit as one of the
areas where this delicious fruit is grown, is Florida's
Indian River. |
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Grapefruit Nutrition:
Facts
and Benefits
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The fibre makes
this fruit a perfect breakfast fruit as it gives the
digestive system a boost which can really help with
weight loss and healthy digestion. The health
benefits of grapefruit juice are also excellent,
however, grapefruit juicing will reduce the fruit's
natural high fibre content.
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To the right,
there is a picture of pink grapefruit, this is one
of the most recognized varieties.
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There's a
sweet grapefruit variety called Sweetie - this
unique variety originates from California, it has
green skin and can easily be eaten alone, without
sugar or additional sweetening.
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Grapefruit Nutrition:
Carbs and Calories
in Grapefruits
Grapefruits are low in calories,
this is a fruit which is bursting with health benefits whether its eaten raw,
fresh, canned or dried. The amount of calories
in grapefruit depends on the method it is served, for example if the fruit is served
with honey or sugar, obviously it will contain more calories.
It is extremely low in fat, if not fat-free. The
following calorie guide can be used to calculate the
amount of calories and carbohydrates:
Nutrition Info and Data:
Calories in Grapefruit per 100 grams:
Raw grapefruit
nutrition:
30 calories / 6.8 carb
Canned grapefruit in juice nutrition: 48 calories / 10.5 carbs
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Grapefruit Nutrition:
Facts and Information about Nutrition
It is a type of citrus fruit, in
fact, it is the largest of the citrus
family, measuring around 10 to 18cm in
diameter. Grapefruit can be juiced, eaten
raw on its own or added to a recipe such as
fruit salad. The skin is tough, fragranced and
contains essential oils. The color of the
fruit can vary from yellow to pink. The edible part of
the fruit grows in segments. Each grapefruit
segment consists of delicious, juicy flesh,
bursting with health benefits.
This is a
large sour fruit that is likened by many,
the yellow varieties are usually the most
bitter tasting with pink grapefruit being a
little sweeter. The nutritional value of
grapefruit is very good making it is an
ideal breakfast fruit that will give you an
excellent start to the day. The grapefruit
diet is an excellent way to lose weight as
its a healthy fruit which provides excellent
health benefits and a rich source of fiber.
The history of grapefruit dates way back to
the days of the West Indian fruit known as
the shaddock or pomelo, from which the
grapefruit is thought to have derived.
Grapefruit Nutrition: Grapefruit and Diabetes
It is thought that grapefruit can
interfere with the some medications, including the
function of cholesterol tablets which lower cholesterol,
therefore, it may not be an ideal fruit for diabetics or
anybody else receiving medication for cholesterol
problems. Anybody with diabetes should consult their GP
first.
Grapefruit Nutrition:
Picking and Storing to retain the Fruit's
Nutrition
Grapefruits have tough skin which
protects the fruit from getting damaged, however, always
pick grapefruit with nice looking, firm, unblemished
skin. The fruit doesn't continue to ripen once it's been
picked from the tree, therefore, it will keep for a week
or so in the refrigerator or a cool place. Generally,
the heavier the fruit, the juicier the content.
Grapefruit Nutrition:
Segmenting
The easiest way to eat grapefruit is
to cut the fruit in half, remove the pips and spoon the
flesh out. You can sweeten the fruit if you desire with
a little sugar or a drizzle of honey. This fruit makes
an ideal snack, breakfast food, starter or dessert. |
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If you would like to juice a
grapefruit, simply cut the fruit in half, remove the
seeds and squeeze it straight into a glass.
If you would like to segment the
fruit to use in a recipe such as grapefruit salad to
accompany chicken and avocado, simply follow these
instructions:
1. Cut the grapefruit in half.
2. Spoon or scrape the seeds out.
3. Follow the lines defining the segments with a knife,
cutting into the flesh only. Start at the centre cutting
outwards. Cut around the segments then remove the
central membrane. The segments should detach fairly
easily. |
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Health
experts and nutritionists believe that a well-balanced
diet that includes at least five portions of fruit and
vegetables per day will help to considerably improve our
lifestyles and ultimately extend our lives |
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