Grapefruit belongs to the tropical fruits of the Rutaceae family. The fruits of grapefruit growing on trees outwardly resemble bunches of grapes, which was the reason for the formation of its name, which contains a combination of two foreign words of English origin grape («grapes») and fruit («fruit»). In the 30s of the century before last, grapefruit was called «heavenly citrus» or Citrus paradisi in Latin. The birthplace of grapefruit is the island of Barbados. It is believed to have originated from the natural crossing of an orange and a pomelo. The plant does not occur in the wild in nature. Grapefruit is an evergreen plant that is afraid of frost. As well as other citruses, it can easily interbreed. It is worth noting that the unique properties of grapefruit have not yet been fully studied and proven.
General characteristics
Grapefruit grows in the Caribbean islands, Israel, South Africa and Brazil. The height of this evergreen tree reaches 15 meters. The ripened fruit is about 15 centimeters in diameter. Grapefruit pulp has a sour taste, and its white streaks add bitterness.
Grapefruit harvest begin to collect in early February after almost a year of ripening. There are about twenty grapefruit varieties in the world, which differ in the color of the skin and pulp: from yellow to light red.
Fruits are eaten mostly raw, due to their ability to be stored for a long time. Also from grapefruits prepare jams, juices, liqueurs and candied fruits. In cosmetology, essential oil is made from the fruit of the fruit.
Chemical composition and nutritional value
Grapefruit pulp contains a huge amount of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. The energy value of the edible part of the fruit is 35 kcal per 100 gram.
Nutritional value per 100 grams of edible part of grapefruit
Nutrient
Quantity
Average rate per day for an adult
Caloric content 35 kCal 1684 kCal Proteins 0,7 g 76 g Fats 0,2 g 60 g Carbohydrates 6,5 g 211 g Dietary fiber 1,8 g 20 g Water 88,8 g 2400 g Ash 0,5 g – Vitamin A 3 μg 900 μg Vitamin B1 0,05 mg 1,5 mg Vitamin B2 0,03 mg 1,8 mg Vitamin B5 0,21 mg 5 μg Vitamin B6 0,04 mg 2 mg Vitamin B9 3 μg 400 μg Vitamin C 45 mg 90 mg Vitamin E 0,3 mg 15 mg Vitamin PP 0,3 mg 20 mg Potassium 184 mg 2500 mg Calcium 23 mg 1000 mg Magnesium 10 mg 400 mg Sodium 13 mg 1300 mg Phosphorus 18 mg 800 mg Iron 0,5 mg 18 mg
Useful Properties
Grapefruit is the “champion” in terms of vitamin C, ahead of even citrus fruits such as lemon and mandarin. The content in it of various acids of organic origin, essential oils, pectin, phytoncides and naringenin makes it possible to use it in the treatment of various diseases, cosmetology, dietetics, aromatherapy and cooking. The special properties of naringenin, which is found in the white partitions of the fetus, help with high blood cholesterol and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. That is why it is not recommended to remove white veins in grapefruit. In addition, naringenin, as well as bergamottin, effectively disinfect the air. That is why it is recommended to use aroma lamps with grapefruit essential oil in the cold season. This fruit essential oil is also able to warm and accelerate blood circulation if applied to the skin. That is why doctors prescribe massage using grapefruit oil as an additional tool in the treatment of joints and during rehabilitation after ligament ruptures.
The pulp of the fetus, even with frequent use, does not affect the increase in blood sugar, which is ideal for diabetics. The recommended daily allowance for diabetics is one grapefruit per day. Grapefruit is also considered a diet food product that helps in the fight against overweight. It is worth noting that to combat excess weight and cellulite, a cream based on the essential oil of this fruit and caffeine is successfully used. Thanks to these two components, excess fluid is removed from the body, which leads to a decrease in body weight.
Natural antioxidants in the fetus help to slow down the natural aging processes of the skin, accelerate metabolic processes in the body and contribute to a more rapid healing of wounds on the skin.
Due to the content of glycosides and vitamins in citrus, grapefruit helps to reduce blood pressure. In addition, it beneficially eliminates disorders in the liver, reduces the amount of sugar in the blood and helps strengthen the walls of the arteries.
For people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases due to low acidity, it is recommended to take about 200 grams of grapefruit juice per day. Elderly people benefit from using citrus to lower blood cholesterol, improve sleep, normalize the nervous system and eliminate headaches. For women during menopause, grapefruit is especially useful due to its tonic effect. Moreover, citrus has a clear anti-tumor effect on the body.
Grapefruit juice is able to relieve swelling. Therefore, it is useful to drink fresh juice from grapefruit to pregnant women. Fruit peel is able to eliminate heartburn in the body. However, it is necessary to use the peel of a grapefruit with care because of its possible processing with chemicals.
Harm and contraindications
Experts say that some of the substances contained in grapefruit can be not only beneficial, but also harmful. It is known that the juice of this citrus cannot be combined with certain medications. It is imperative to consult with your doctor before you start taking any medications, as well as birth control pills, in order to combine them with taking grapefruit juice. Consuming grapefruit while taking birth control pills can reduce the expected effect and lead to an unplanned pregnancy or serious harm to the body. Fruit juice can lead to increased action of certain drugs and side effects.
Eating large amounts of grapefruit in food can adversely affect the work of the liver, slowing down the process of removing harmful substances from the body. For people with high content of acidity of gastric juice in the body, when jade and hepatitis is not recommended to include in the diet of this fruit. It is also not recommended to use it and those who are allergic to citrus. Prolonged use of the fruit can worsen tooth enamel.
Along with other citrus fruits, grapefruit should not be added to the diet during lactation. This is due to a possible allergy in a child, which manifests itself on the skin in the form of a small rash and edema.
Nutritionists do not recommend combining grapefruits with mushrooms, fresh milk, white rice, and white flour products, because these products are difficult to digest together in the body and can lead to diarrhea and a feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
American scientists in 2006, as a result of research, discovered a special substance furanocoumarin in grapefruit, which slows down the work of hemoproteins. Thus, by consuming the fruit and the medicines at the same time, the liver “processes” the components of the fetus, and the components of the medicines circulate inside the body at this moment, reaching a dangerous concentration in the blood. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration even enforces testing of drugs for compatibility with grapefruit juice. It should be noted that this juice, purified from furanocoumarin, has no similar side effects.
It has been established that it is impossible to combine grapefruit juice with the following drugs:
- antibiotics;
- anticoagulants;
- antihistamines;
- anxiolytics;
- antiarrhythmic;
- antidepressants;
- hormonal;
- antiviral;
- antifungal;
- antineoplastic;
- antitussive.
It is imperative that you consult with your doctor before taking medications for compatibility with taking grapefruits.
Also, grapefruit crust lovers should pay attention to the fact that almost all grapefruit growers process them with special chemicals to protect them from harmful insects.
How to choose and store
You can choose a fresh and good grapefruit, considering a number of several factors:
- bright skin indicates a high content of beta-carotene in the fruit and sweetness of the fruit;
- the fruit must be heavy, soft and whole;
- the aroma must be pronounced;
- red fruits contain the most antioxidants.
Fruits are best stored on the lower shelves in the refrigerator or containers for fruits and vegetables. The recommended shelf life of ripe grapefruits is up to 10 days in the refrigerator or up to 4 days at room temperature.
Medicinal properties
Treatment with grapefruit and grapefruit juice is used in the following cases:
- to improve the appetite;
- for heartburn;
- with cardiovascular diseases;
- with high blood pressure;
- with stones in the gall bladder;
- for insomnia;
- to improve mood.
To get rid of heartburn, you need to grate grapefruit zest, dry and consume a teaspoon once a day, slowly chewing. For the prevention of heart disease, it is recommended to eat one fruit during breakfast several days a week. For stones in the gall bladder, four teaspoons of olive fruit oil should be taken on an empty stomach, followed by X NUMX with grams of grapefruit juice. To get rid of insomnia, it is recommended to take half a glass of juice with pulp at bedtime. Grapefruit oil helps to improve the mood and quality of assimilation of information.
Grapefruit Recipes
In cooking, grapefruit is used in combination with seafood, meat, liver and beef tongue. Juice, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, jams, jams, jams, fruit salads are prepared from fruits. Sauces and marinades with the addition of grapefruit juice have a special taste.
Vegetable and Shrimp Salad
Ingredients:
- 200 grams of boiled shrimp;
- 1 tablespoon olive oil;
- 1 lemon;
- a bunch of dill;
- a bunch of lettuce;
- 1 grapefruit.
Technology of preparation
Lettuce and dill finely chopped. Blend olive oil in a blender with lemon and add dill. Add dressing to cooled prawns, mix and add lettuce leaves. Peel the grapefruit thoroughly, divide it into pieces and lay it on top of lettuce leaves.
Grapefruit ice cream
Ingredients:
Technology of preparation
All ingredients are peeled, mixed in a blender until smooth and put in molds. The decomposed mass is placed in the freezer at 2-3 hours. Serve ice cream can be with condensed milk or grated chocolate.
Smoothies
Ingredients:
Technology of preparation
Peel fruits, chop together with lemongrass in a blender. Serve along with the addition of ice cubes.
Diet
Fruit is widely used for dietary purposes. Nutritionists recommend eating for 30 minutes before eating half the fruit of this citrus. It is also recommended to eat fruit instead of breakfast or drink juice from the pulp of citrus before bedtime.
In addition, the grapefruit diet is widely used for weight loss. It lasts from 3 to 14 days. For breakfast you need to eat one citrus, for lunch – boiled or steamed fish, lean meat and vegetable salad, for dinner – vegetable salad, and in the evening before bedtime drink a glass of grapefruit juice with pulp. During dieting, you must take 1,5-2,5 of a liter of fluid daily and exercise. You can supplement the diet with a course of massage with the use of essential oils to enhance the positive effect.
Sources of
- Ashurova N.G., Karomatov I.J., Amonov K.U .: The medical value of grapefruit, 2017.
- Ivanova N.N., Khomich L.M., Perova I.B., Eller K.I .: Nutrient profile of grapefruit juice, 2018.
