10 Top Health Benefits of Grapefruit

Grapefruit is commonly known for its sweet and somewhat sour taste. They're rich in nutrients, fiber and antioxidants, which make them one of the healthiest fruit when compared to other fruits. However, the taste can vary as my experiences were mostly bitter (no pun intended).

Some examples of health benefits they bring to the body are healthier skin, lower risk for numerous diseases and conditions, and are also commonly known to be a great choice of fruit for weight loss as we will see why in a bit.

You might or might not have known that different forms of grapefruit exist. There are fresh red or pink grapefruit which contain higher amounts of bioactive compounds and has tremendously higher potential in antioxidants than the yellow or white grapefruits. They also contain more vitamin A.

And without further ado, here are top 10 health benefits of grapefruit:

Grapefruit Reduces Risks of Cancer

Grapefruit is rich in antioxidants like vitamin C. For this reason, they make a good soldier in a war against formation of cancer. As previously stated, grapefruit contains lycopene which has been shown to be linked with reduced risk of prostate cancer in multiple studies.

Grapefruit Helps With Weight Loss

Studies have shown that grapefruit improves lipid and blood pressure levels which are actually linked to obesity.

In one study, obese people were given half a grapefruit and ate them right before meals for 12 weeks. The result? They lost more weight than those who didn't consume any form of grapefruit (grapefruit juice, grapefruit whole, etc).

It might have to do with the fruit being high in water content which is equivalent to 92% water in one grapefruit which helps keep you full longer, reducing the temptations for mindless snacking and overeating.

Related: Study: Protein Could Be Key to Weight Loss, Muscle Gain

Grapefruit Reduces the Risk of Stroke

For women, eating higher amounts of flavonoid may lower the risk of ischemic stroke, according to the American Heart Association. Flavonoids are compounds found in citrus fruits such as grapefruit and oranges.

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The risk of ischemic stroke was 19% lower for those who ate the highest quantities of citrus as opposed to women who ate the lowest.

Grapefruit Reduces Blood Pressure and Improves Heart Health

The powerful nutrient combination of lycopene, fiber, vitamin C, and choline in grapefruit all help maintain a healthy heart.

Potassium is also included in grapefruits, in which one study revealed that people who consumed slightly over 4000mg of potassium per day had approximately 50% lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease as opposed to those who consumed lesser amounts of potassium.

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), 1 grapefruit of 3-3.5in diameter contains 139mg of potassium. Grapefruit makes an excellent choice for people looking to increase their daily potassium consumption.

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It's extremely effective to eat grapefruit for lowering blood pressure because of its potassium content, as bananas would.

Increasing potassium intake is also important for lowering blood pressure because of its powerful effects on the dilation of the blood vessels, widening the arteries.

Grapefruit Improves Digestion

Because grapefruit contains a high amount of fiber and water content, they help you by preventing you from constipation as well as regularly supporting you with a healthy digestive tract.

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Grapefruit Helps You Stay Hydrated

Since grapefruit contains 92% water this make them one of the most efficient fruits for hydration. They are also full of electrolytes. Here's 10 Proven Benefits of Drinking Water for Weight Loss.

Grapefruit Improves Skin Health

The vitamin C present in grapefruit can help reduce wrinkles, combat damaged skin caused by pollution and the sun, and improve overall skin texture when either eaten or applied directory to the skin.

Vitamin C takes on a major role in the formation of collagen, the main support system of the skin. In addition it's also crucial for regular intake of vitamin A and regular hydration in order to sustain a healthy-looking skin. You can get both benefits from grapefruit.

However, it is worth noting that a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in June 2015 suggested large amounts of citrus fruit consumption may place a higher risk of melanomia on an individual. Melanoma is a form of skin cancer considered to be deadly.

Grapefruit Helps Prevent Asthma

A study in recent years showed that chances of developing asthma are lower in people who consume larger amounts of nutrients like vitamin C, which are found in grapefruit.

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Grapefruit Helps Suppress Your Appetite

In a study at the Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center in San Diego, people who had eaten half a grapefruit with each meal lost an average of 3.6 pounds in 3 months. According to Ken Fujioka, M.D., the study's principal researcher, grapefruits have the ability to lower levels of insulin (the hormone that regulates fat metabolism and blood sugar) after each meal. Here's how Studies Suggest Freezing Hunger Signals Might Be Useful For Weight Loss.

Related: 7 Amazing Health Benefits of Carrots

Grapefruit Can Help Reduce "Bad" Cholesterol

Consuming a grapefruit a day may help reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels as much as 15.5%

According to a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, one grapefruit a day may help lower "bad" LDL cholesterol levels by up to 15.5%. Researchers in the study looked at 57 patients ages 39-72 who had undergone surgery for heart problems and had high cholesterol levels. For a month they ate one red or white grapefruit a day while the control group (the others) did not. Results showed that the group of people who ate grapefruit, specifically the red ones, had a reduction in bad cholesterol while the other group did not. Great news! LDL cholesterols are the types of fat that can accumulate in your arteries, raising the risk for stroke and heart attack.

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