Grapefruit provides a high amount of fiber, along with over 15 types of vitamins and essential minerals for health. Therefore, grapefruit is a nutritious and popular fruit in daily diets. Despite its rich nutrient content, grapefruit contains very few calories, making it suitable for those looking to lose weight.
Boosting the immune system
Grapefruit is highly regarded for its rich vitamin C content and high antioxidant properties, which can protect cells from the harmful effects of bacteria and viruses. Therefore, to boost your immune system, eat grapefruit regularly. In addition, vitamin C in grapefruit also helps speed up recovery time when suffering from a cold.
Moreover, grapefruit provides a significant amount of vitamin B, A, zinc, copper, and iron. Combined, these vitamins help enhance the immune system, maintain skin health, and protect the body against various infectious diseases and inflammatory conditions.
Reducing appetite
Grapefruit is also known as a common fruit in dieting. According to health experts, grapefruit can help reduce appetite. The aroma of grapefruit can decrease the feeling of hunger. Moreover, eating grapefruit stimulates the production of cholecystokinin hormone, which is considered a hunger-reducing compound because it regulates digestive fluids. Therefore, adding this fruit to your diet helps you feel full quickly and limits weight gain.
Supporting the treatment of flu, fever, and malaria
Grapefruit has a soothing effect on the body when fever is experienced at high temperatures. Compounds in grapefruit support immune function, and combat common colds, and other common illnesses. Grapefruit is also a useful remedy for treating flu due to its ability to reduce acidity. The characteristic acidic properties named “naringin” in grapefruit enhance the immune system and promote digestion. This property also has antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Furthermore, experts recommend using grapefruit to support the treatment of malaria. Scientific reports indicate that grapefruit is rich in natural quinine – a beneficial substance in treating malaria. This alkaloid has been used in treating diseases such as malaria, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Reducing fatigue
Grapefruit can help the body overcome fatigue caused by daily activities. Grapefruit contains Nootkatone – a rare compound that can improve energy metabolism in the body by activating AMPK. This helps increase endurance and energy levels, reducing the risk of diabetes. Grapefruit juice mixed with lemon juice in a 1:1 ratio is an effective method to invigorate the body, promote alertness, and vigor, and rapidly increase energy levels.
Treating indigestion
The components in grapefruit help improve digestion fluid circulation, which leads to soothing bowel movement activity and regulation of the digestive system’s functioning. Due to its high fiber and plant powder content, grapefruit helps prevent accumulation in the intestines and regulates your bowel movement cycle.
Lowering blood sugar
Grapefruit contains naringenin, which controls blood sugar levels and increases insulin sensitivity. This helps reduce glucose levels and effectively lowers blood sugar.
Improving skin, stimulating hair growth
Half a grapefruit contains 28% of the daily required vitamin A, which is essential for the body. Therefore, grapefruit is always considered a delicious fruit for health and contains a lot of water, which helps moisturize the skin. Moreover, vitamin A also stimulates hair growth and prevents hair loss. Grapefruit juice contains a large amount of antioxidants that nourish hair follicles, and improve scalp conditions. Additionally, this fruit is beneficial for people with acne and oily skin.
Who should not eat grapefruit?
Grapefruit contains a large amount of fiber and vitamin C, so people with stomach ulcers, colitis, or pancreatic inflammation should avoid eating grapefruit because these substances will increase acidity in the stomach, causing heartburn and aggravating inflammation. Additionally, there are some cases where grapefruit should not be consumed:
– Hungry People should not eat grapefruit.
– Those who have just consumed alcohol or smoked.
– People with poor digestion.
– People taking blood pressure-lowering medications.
– Individuals with high cholesterol levels.