Know the Benefits of Grapefruit for Health
Know the Benefits of Grapefruit for Health
Grapefruit is one of the fruits consumed by the people of Indonesia. In addition to its delicious taste, many benefits of grapefruit can be obtained from the various important nutritional content in it.
Grapefruit or known by the Latin name Citrus grandis or Citrus maxima is a type of citrus fruit or citrus. Uniquely, this fruit, which is also called pomelo, is the largest type of citrus fruit that can weigh up to 1-2 kg. The flesh of the fruit is grainy with a red-orange color and the taste tends to be sweet mixed with sour and slightly bitter.
Nutritional Content in Grapefruit
Grapefruit is rich in vitamins and nutrients that are good for health. One of the main ingredients of this fruit is vitamin C. In a plate of grapefruit (about 100 grams), it contains 60 mg of vitamin C and 40 calories. Not only that, grapefruit also contains:
- Fiber.
- B vitamins, such as niacin (vitamin B3), riboflavin (vitamin B2), thiamine (vitamin B1), folate, and pyridoxine (vitamin B6).
- Complex carbohydrates.
- Sugar.
- Proteins.
- Minerals, such as potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc.
- Antioxidants, such as flavonoids and lycopene.
Pomelo fruit also contains a lot of water which is good for preventing and overcoming dehydration.
Get to know the various benefits of grapefruit
Grapefruit with various contents in it save a variety of benefits that are good for the body. The following are the benefits of grapefruit that you should not miss:
1. Boost the immune system
The content of antioxidants and vitamins in grapefruit serves to maintain and increase endurance. If your immune system is maintained, you will avoid various diseases, especially infectious diseases, such as flu and diarrhea.
2. Healthy digestion
Citrus fruits, including grapefruit, are known as one of the fruits that are rich in fiber. Thanks to this content, grapefruit can maintain the digestive system as a whole. In addition, several health studies also say that this fruit can help lose weight.
3. Reduces the risk of kidney stones
Kidney stones are mineral deposits in the kidneys that crystallize and resemble stones. This condition can occur due to low levels of citrate in the urine. Well, the high citrate content in grapefruit can help lower the risk of kidney stones.
4. Reduces the risk of cancer
Many studies have shown a link between citrus fruits, including grapefruit, with a reduced risk of developing cancer. This is because citrus fruits contain flavonoid compounds that can protect the body from cancer. Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant that plays an important role in preventing the growth of cancer cells.
5. Maintain heart health
Eating citrus fruits, such as grapefruit, can keep your heart healthy. This is because the fiber and flavonoid content in citrus fruits can increase good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL). This effect is important to prevent the formation of plaque that can clog blood vessels. This makes grapefruit good consumed as a fruit for heart disease.
6. Maintain brain health
The content of flavonoids in grapefruit can help ward off degenerative diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Several studies have also shown that people who regularly eat fruit, including grapefruit, have better memory and are less likely to develop dementia.
You can get the various benefits of grapefruit above if consumed in sufficient and not excessive levels. The high acid content makes grapefruit not recommended to be consumed in large quantities because it can increase the risk of cavities.
In addition, the consumption of grapefruit should also be limited by people who are taking certain medications, such as the anticonvulsant drug carbamazapine, drugs for high blood pressure, and cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as atorvastatin.
Although it is believed to be beneficial for health, the benefits of grapefruit in the treatment of diseases cannot be ascertained. Therefore, do not use grapefruit as a substitute for drugs from the doctor.
Because of its effects that can affect certain medications, you should consult your doctor first before consuming grapefruit if you are on medication.
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