Grapefruit - a fruit that has already been much loved by many, was created in Barbados in the eighteenth century. It was then that breeders and an orange were crossed by breeders. Since then, grapefruit, the benefits and harms of which are sometimes heatedly discussed, has won many supporters and opponents.
Grapefruit: benefits and harms
The benefit of grapefruit is that it has a huge amount of all kinds of vitamins. It contains ascorbic acid, sucrose, fructose, vitamin A, glucose. And also in this excellent fruit contains a huge amount of mineral salts, essential oils, volatile and organic acids. The bitter taste, which not everyone likes, is given to it by the substance nargin - a bitter glycoside.
In addition to these substances, it contains vitamins that we are used to seeing in other citrus fruits. The benefit of grapefruit in losing weight is that there are such important trace elements as potassium, calcium and fiber. Due to fiber, intestinal motility increases , so it serves as a prophylaxis of constipation, and this is very important for a healthy metabolism.
Grapefruit, the benefits and harms of which are not obvious, allows you to regulate the content of body fluids, which prevents the deposition of excess fat. This exotic fruit is widely used in the preparation of various diets for weight loss. This is due to the essential oils contained in it, normalizing metabolic processes, stimulating the production of digestive juice, and also generally improving digestion.
The same essential oils, when inhaled, have a calming effect on the nervous system. with regular use of grapefruit, according to experts, it is possible to successfully combat nervous diseases, as well as improve memory and concentration.
Its usefulness is also in the ability to lower cholesterol and blood sugar. Grapefruits are usually classified as low-calorie foods, so they are often recommended for people prone to heart disease, blood vessels and diabetes.
Grapefruit, whose benefits and harms in cosmetology is also of interest to many, has long been used in a variety of masks. Its pulp and zest are quite successfully used precisely for these purposes.
As with any citrus fruit, with grapefruit you need to be as careful as possible. This applies, first of all, excessive consumption of the fruit itself or its juice in food. For women experiencing postmenopause, this fruit can be really harmful. Doctors are convinced that at this time the harm of grapefruit is so great that it can cause the development of diseases from the field of oncology.
Due to the presence in this fruit of a substance called furanocoumarin, which has an extremely negative effect on blood, this fruit should not be eaten by people suffering from liver diseases. For patients with gastritis, the harm of this fruit can also be quite significant, since it contributes to an increase in acid production.
With daily use of grapefruit, a woman can develop breast cancer, just such a conclusion was made several years ago by American scientists. It was determined that a small piece increases the chances of developing the disease by 30%. The juice of this fruit is incompatible with most drugs, as it weakens the effect of most drugs. Do not use it on an empty stomach, as this can cause irritation of the teeth, gums, esophagus and stomach.
Of course, in general, grapefruit can be attributed to healthy fruits, but its benefits and harms are contained in the same components. The final result depends entirely on the amount eaten.