When I was a kid, some friends who arrived from Yercaud, a hilly region in the South of India, gave us some grapefruits. My mother made pickles out of it and sowed the seeds in a pot. To our amazement, some seeds sprouted, and only one grew into a big tree producing plenty of grapefruits each year. It stood there for almost 15 years producing big grapefruits for us to enjoy.
The tree grows well in subtropical regions and is best known for the bitter fruits it produces. Grapefruits are rich in vitamin C. This vitamin fights cold, reduces the severity of asthma, arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, and promotes cardiovascular health. The red and pink varieties of grapefruit contain lycopene, an antioxidant. Lycopene fights free radicals and prevents cell damage.
Grapefruit is very effective in fighting prostate cancer. It contains Limonoids, which promote our general well-being. Pectin, a soluble fiber, is present in grapefruit and slows down atherosclerosis. Grapefruit is believed to lower cholesterol levels. You can add fresh grapefruit pieces to your diet.
If you are not comfortable with that idea, researchers have turned grapefruit into a powder that can be sprinkled on juices, purees, milk, or tea. Dried fruit slices can also add variety to your diet. They can be used as a healthy snack with all the nutritional benefits intact.
Grapefruit prevents colon cancer. It contains a flavonoid Naringenin that helps repair damaged DNA in human prostate cancer cells. This flavonoid is responsible for the bitter taste of grapefruit and can be used to treat diabetes. Grapefruits reduce the chances of women developing ischemic stroke risk.
Moving on, grapefruit juice is among the top juices and posse’s highest level of antioxidant activity. It prevents kidney stone formation. But there is a caution to be exercised when drinking this juice. Researchers say that grapefruit juice reduces the absorption of drugs and decreases their effectiveness. It can reduce the efficacy of drugs prescribed for heart diseases, cancer, organ transplant, and infections. If you are on medication, always follow the doctor’s advice.
Photo grape fruit farm by Kai 4107
Photo of grapefruit courtesy of Wikipedia
