The Goods is a monthly column about food myths and facts by faculty members in the University of North Florida's Nutrition and Dietetics Flagship Program. The nutritional value of the grapefruit varies with color (white, pink or red.) Red and pink grapefruit have a higher amount of vitamin A. In terms of vitamins and minerals, there may be slight variances. For most produce, the canned variety is nutritionally comparable with fresh there’s certainly little difference in the macronutrients, which include protein, carbohydrates and fats. It's rich in vitamin C, contains potassium and folic acid. Top 5 health benefits of canned fruit and vegetables. Myth: A grapefruit is more nutritious than an orange.įact: Grapefruit is slightly less nutritious than an orange. Grapefruits don't lose their green color until they're exposed to cool temperatures of 39 to 50 degrees. ![]() Myth: The color of citrus fruit is a good indication of its ripeness.įact: The color of citrus fruits isn't a good indication of their ripeness and can't be relied upon to determine the best moment for picking. Also, a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry revealed that enjoying one grapefruit a day can help lower "bad" LDL cholesterol levels by up to 20 percent and triglycerides by 27 percent. ![]() A recent study in mice showed that freshly squeezed grapefruit juice may decrease blood glucose and insulin levels, good news for those with diabetes. It can help support the immune system and protects the body against cancer, especially prostate cancer. Myth: Grapefruit does not provide any health benefits.įact: The health benefits of grapefruit are numerous. Grapefruit contains a compound that can decrease the level of an enzyme naturally present in the intestines that is involved with the breakdown of certain medications, so the blood level of those medications can actually increase, being equivalent to taking a higher dose. 'Many of the health benefits attributed to grapefruit are due to its high antioxidant content,' says Alice Figueroa, M.P.H., R.D. Myth: Grapefruit can be taken with all medications.įact: Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may have interactions with different medications, especially cholesterol-lowering drugs, heart medicines and some antidepressants. Half a grapefruit provides 60 calories and contains fiber, which will give you a feeling of fullness, helping curb your appetite. ![]() Either way, you'll need to have a taste for the tart fruit. Grapefruit doesn't contain fat-burning enzymes, but it does contain a low amount of calories. Level of Effort: Medium Some versions of the grapefruit diet are really strict. Myth: Certain foods, such as grapefruit, can burn fat.įact: No food can burn fat. Andrea Altice, instructor in the Nutrition and Dietetics Flagship Program at the University of North Florida, discusses myths about grapefruit and provides tips - and a recipe - for including it in a healthy diet. Grapefruits are considered a "superfood" because they are jammed packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, nutrients and low in calories. But the association itself is certainly promising.The term "grapefruit" was first used in Jamaica in 1814, and it refers to the fact that grapefruits grow in clusters like grapes. However, they weren't only eating grapefruit, so it's hard to tell how much the grapefruit made an impact on those overall levels. "Grapefruit may provide a healthful option for adults striving to meet fruit recommendations," the study concludes. ![]() One study found that women who ate grapefruit had a higher intakes of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, dietary fiber, and improved diet quality. Eating grapefruit regularly is linked to higher nutrient consumption. (Specifically, one whole grapefruit has 77 mg of vitamin C-more than what you'd get in a large orange.) So you know those times of the year when everyone in your office seems to be sick? (Um, like right now?) It's the perfect time for some grapefruit.Ģ. Exhibit A of all that glorious nutrient density: grapefruits are a good source of vitamins A, C, and E-a trifecta that works together to keep the immune system up. What are the health benefits of grapefruit?ġ.
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