Health Benefits of Grapefruits
Article Sources
- 1. GC;, Murphy MM;Barraj LM;Rampersaud. 'Consumption of Grapefruit Is Associated with Higher Nutrient Intakes and Diet Quality among Adults, and More Favorable Anthropometrics in Women, NHANES 2003-2008.' Food & Nutrition Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8 May 2014, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25006335/.
- 2. Turner, Tami, and Betty J. Burri. Potential Nutritional Benefits of Current Citrus Consumption. Mar. 2013, www.researchgate.net/publication/281358167/Potential/Nutritional/Benefits/of/Current/Citrus/Consumption.
- 3. Lv X;Zhao S;Ning Z;Zeng H;Shu Y;Tao O;Xiao C;Lu C;Liu Y; et al. 'Citrus Fruits as a Treasure Trove of Active Natural Metabolites That Potentially Provide Benefits for Human Health.' Chemistry Central Journal, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 24 Dec. 2015, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26705419/.
- 4. Abdel-Aal, El-Sayed M., et al. 'Dietary Sources of Lutein and Zeaxanthin Carotenoids and Their Role in Eye Health.' MDPI, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 9 Apr. 2013, www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/5/4/1169/htm.
- 5. JA;, Owira PM;Ojewole. 'The Grapefruit: an Old Wine in a New Glass? Metabolic and Cardiovascular Perspectives.' Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20972517/.
- 6. E;, Den Hartogh DJ;Tsiani. 'Antidiabetic Properties of Naringenin: A Citrus Fruit Polyphenol.' Biomolecules, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 9 Mar. 2019, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30871083/.
4. Lowers Cholesterol
Several studies indicate that regular grapefruit consumption can lower LDL cholesterol levels. All grapefruit types can help lower cholesterol, although red varieties seem to lower triglyceride levels more effectively.5JA;, Owira PM;Ojewole. ‘The Grapefruit: an Old Wine in a New Glass? Metabolic and Cardiovascular Perspectives.’ Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20972517/. Grapefruits can also increase protective antioxidants in the body.
These benefits may come from a synergistic effect of many bioactive compounds working together, such as flavonoids, naringenin, lycopene, phenolic acids, ascorbic acid and anthocyanins. Red grapefruits have higher concentrations of anthocyanins than pale varieties, as these flavonoid pigments occur in brightly colored plants.
Advertisement
