Red grapefruit, or, as it is also called, paradise citrus, is familiar to many. Someone loves this juicy fruit, and some do not recognize its taste. But many believe that bitterness is its definite highlight. Therefore, the fruit can be safely called original and exquisite. But one thing remains unchanged - a striking appearance, benefits for the body and many areas of application. We will talk about this unique fruit later in the article.
How to choose a fetus
Which of us did not face unsuccessful purchases in supermarkets! Bought spoiled fruit can greatly spoil the mood. To prevent this from happening, check out the tips for choosing ripe grapefruit.
The most important rule is appearance. If you are not buying fruit in self-service stores, do not hesitate to ask the seller to weigh you another fruit if this one looks unpresentable. A good grapefruit should be free of scars and dents. The presence of reddish spots indicates the maturity of the fetus, and brown ones indicate the beginning of decay. Recall that the shiny peel indicates that the fruit was processed with a special chemical composition. So, even with careful treatment with boiling water, a certain percentage of chemistry will have time to penetrate under the peel.
When choosing red grapefruits, you must definitely touch them. They must be elastic and weighty, then the fruit is ripe. Comparing two fruits, it is better to stop on a heavier one - such instances will be juicy. One more tip. Ripe citrus will exude its rich aroma even through the skin.
What is interesting about the composition?
The grapefruit can be called a real vitamin bomb. All because it contains a lot of useful substances. Let's see what the benefits of red grapefruit are. So, Barbados fruit is rich in the following vitamins:
- nicotinic acid
- retinol
- riboflavin
- Vitamin B1
- pantothenic, folic and ascorbic acids,
- pyridoxine
- beta carotene
- tocopherol.
All these substances have a beneficial effect on the body, saturate it with nutrients, and support human health and beauty. It is rare to find a fruit that has such a wide range of positive effects!
Many people think that orange contains more ascorbic acid. In fact, in the red grapefruit it is the same. Therefore, the next time you want to support the body with vitamin C, you can add variety and buy grapefruit. It is even more beneficial due to more natural sugars.
But this is not the whole list of nutrients of paradise citrus. Bright flesh contains micro and macro elements:
- magnesium,
- phosphorus,
- sodium,
- calcium,
- iron,
- potassium.
Eating one fruit once a week, you can cool the body with nutrients.
Benefit
What is useful red grapefruit? With regular use of the fetus, human health is strengthened and there is a beneficial effect on the emotional background. If lemons and oranges are associated with the sun and positive, then grapefruit is in no way inferior to them in brightness. Consider its useful properties:
- Removes toxins from the body.
- Amino acids are involved in tissue regeneration at the cellular level.
- It removes excess fluid from the body, preventing the formation of edema.
- Thanks to vitamins A, B6, B1, PP and C strengthens the immune system, increases resistance to viruses.
- Bactericidal and antifungal properties kill harmful bacteria in the mouth, which helps get rid of bad smell.
- Beneficial effect on the activity of the digestive tract and liver.
- It is an excellent tool for the prevention of cancer.
- Increases vascular elasticity, reduces the risk of heart disease.
- It improves blood pressure, does not allow the formation of cholesterol plaques, i.e., protects against atherosclerosis.
- A pair of lobules of the fetus can reduce the discomfort in the lower abdomen in women during menstruation.
- Helps normalize hormonal levels and reduce irritability in menopause.
- It is able to reduce blood glucose, therefore it is recommended as a permanent component of the diet of a diabetic.
The negative sides of grapefruit
Despite all the described advantages of an overseas fetus, it has certain contraindications. In some cases, eating citrus can be very harmful.
The first reason to abandon the bright fruit is the presence of gastric ulcer and other problems with the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, colitis, hepatitis, cholecystitis). With caution and after prior consultation, a specialist should eat it with increased acidity of the stomach and liver diseases.
It is also worth remembering about a possible allergic reaction, even if a person is not allergic to citrus fruits.
It is recommended to rinse your mouth with water after the fruit, as it destroys tooth enamel. It is advisable to drink citrus juice through a straw.
About the interaction with medicines
Separately, it is worth talking about the special danger that grapefruit poses in combination with medications. In medicine, there is a whole list of medicines (more than 100 items) with which red grapefruit is not compatible. This list contains funds from various groups. So, paradise citrus is contraindicated while taking with antidepressants, some painkillers, hormones, immunosuppressants, cholesterol-lowering drugs that treat arterial hypertension and arrhythmia.
The substance furanocoumarin in the composition of the red fetus interacts differently with drugs. The effectiveness of the drug may decrease, increase or even neutralize. In certain cases, it can be hazardous to health.
If you like Barbados fruit and plan to start taking drugs, then be sure to read the instructions for use and consult a specialist. If there is no reliable information about the compatibility of the drug and grapefruit, then it is better to temporarily stop eating fruits.
More about specific beneficial properties
Red grapefruit, the benefits and harms of which you already know, can not only be eaten. Other applications:
- Widespread in aromatherapy. Paradise citrus oil can be dripped in a bath of warm water (3 drops for every 10 liters of water). Half an hour in such a bath will give vigor and energy.
- In cosmetology. The ether of red fruit in the composition of cosmetics has established itself as an excellent tool against wrinkles and sagging skin.
With alcohol intoxication, a glass of grapefruit juice is able to quickly get rid of a hangover syndrome.
Red grapefruit: calories
Many nutritionists include this overseas fruit in the diet of people who want to lose weight, as it reduces weight. And this is not in vain, because the citrus fruit is juicy and satisfying due to the large amount of fiber. However, the product is low in calories, which makes it indispensable for diets. So how many calories are there in one red grapefruit? There are only 34 kcal per 100 grams.
Interesting facts about paradise citrus in weight loss:
- The substance lycopene contributes to the burning of fats.
- One fruit can suppress a feeling of hunger for a while.
- It has a mild diuretic effect, which allows you to remove excess fluid from the body.
- Fresh juice instead of a full breakfast can speed up the metabolism.
- If breakfast is supposed, then you can eat a juicy slice 15 minutes before eating. This way you will feel full from less food.
Typically, grapefruit supplement the diet, but on fasting days it forms the basis of the diet. So, for example, red fruit helps to better absorb protein from meat. By including the Barbados fruit in the salad, you can not only saturate the body with nutrients, but also dull hunger.
Why fruit with bitterness?
Grapefruit - the result of breeding pomelo with orange. The fruit has its own unique bitter taste due to the content of the substance naringin. It is concentrated in a thin film that covers the red flesh.
Despite the fact that not everyone likes bitter citrus, it also has its own admirers. It is worth adding that it is naringin that has a beneficial effect on the digestive system.
White and Red Grapefruits
There are several varieties of grapefruit. Usually in stores you can see not only red, but also a little different - white grapefruit. Outwardly, white is distinguished by a yellow, almost like a lemon, sandpaper. Inside - the flesh is light yellow.
In both varieties equal content of potassium, carbohydrates, pectin and acids. The main difference is in the amount of provitamin A. In red, it is several times more. That is why it is often recommended to maintain good vision.