Friday 24 January, 2020

Botanical Roots: Why you should eat grapefruit

Grapefruit (photo: iStock)

Grapefruit (photo: iStock)

The grapefruit is a hardy tropical fruit which grows easily and is known to have a range of health benefits despite its sometimes tangy flavour. It is great for juices and has a wide range of uses in the cuisines of many countries.

Grapefruits, which come in a pink or yellow colour on the inside, are an excellent source for vitamin C. It is a great remedy to help reduce cold symptoms or severity of cold symptoms.

Eating grapefruit also prevents the free radical damage that triggers the effects of conditions such as asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The pink and red variety of this fruit contains a wonder nutrient known as lycopene which is an anti carcinogenic agent known to be especially active in fighting prostate cancer. Among the common dietary carotenoids, lycopene has the highest capacity to help fight oxygen free radicals, which are compounds that can damage cells.

Grapefruits are also known to reduce bad cholesterol due to it containing a form of soluble fibre known as pectin.

Eating grapefruit may also help to reduce kidney stones and is a great protection against colon cancer.

So, eat up the grapefruit; it's great for you!
