Grapefruit
Remember the "grapefruit diet"? New research indicates this sunny fruit offers much more than weight loss benefits.
Grapefruit is a low glycemic food and an excellent source of youth-promoting vitamin C. And if you opt for pink-fleshed varieties, you'll also get two important cancer-fighters: beta-carotene and lycopene.
But that's not the end of this juicy fruit's powers. The soluble fiber in grapefruit helps to lower cholesterol and naringin (found exclusively in grapefruit) may help to balance blood sugar. Grapefruit is also a powerful detoxifier and helps to protect the liver.
Some medications have dangerous interactions with grapefruit.
Glycemic Index=25
Glycemic Load=3
Antioxidant Score (ORAC)=1,548
The Benefits
- Special diets: Autoimmune Paleo Diet, Gluten-Free Diet, Gluten-Free/Dairy-Free Diet, Grain-Free Diet, Low FODMAP Diet, Low Oxalate Diet, Low Starch Diet, Paleo Diet (Light), Paleo Diet (Strict), Pescetarian Diet, Primal Diet, Vegetarian Diet, Whole Food
- Excellent Source of: VitaminA, VitaminC
- Good Source of: Fiber
- Preferences: No Fish, No Red Meat, No Pork, No Eggs, No Shellfish, No Gluten, No Nuts, No Seeds, No Soy, No Dairy, No Poultry, No Molds, No Coconut, No Pseudograins, No Nightshade, No Legumes, No Grains, No Corn, No Yeast, No Peanuts, Low Cholesterol, Low Fat, Low Sodium, Low Saturated Fat
Related Foods
Related Nutrients
Selecting and Storing
Choose grapefruit that have thin, fine-textured, brightly colored skin. Thick skin means the fruit is "pithy" - containing less succulent fruit and more dense, bitter membrane. Grapefruit should be firm yet springy when squeezed. Store it wrapped in a plastic bag and placed in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
