The 200 SuperFoods That Will Save Your Life by Deborah Klein Read Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Deborah Klein
Grapefruit
Benefits
It may surprise many people, but grapefruit really can help with weight loss! In a small test involving 100 obese people, those who ate half a fresh grapefruit each day lost more weight than the control group that did not. It appears that the effect is partly due to grapefruitâs ability to lower glucose levels. Eating grapefruit also appeared to help patients with metabolic syndrome, reducing their insulin resistance. Although these studies were small and more research needs to be done to determine why and how grapefruit works, the results could be significant for the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Grapefruit is rich in flavonoids that are helpful in lowering the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. It is a good source of pectin (a soluble fiber that helps lower cholesterol) and vitamin C. Because it is not very sweet, it is a good fruit for those who wish to limit carbohydrate. Grapefruit seeds have also been shown to have an antibacterial effect.
As is often the case, the more brightly colored fruit tends to have more anti-oxidants and other life-saving compounds. That means that pink- and red-fleshed varieties of grapefruit pack more nutrient punch than white grapefruit, including the antioxidant lycopene, which may help prevent age-related blindness.
NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION One-half medium pink or red grapefruit provides 39 calories, 9.9 g carbohydrate, 0.8 g protein, 0.1 g fat, 1.4 g dietary fiber, 153 IU vitamin A, 42 mg vitamin C, 13 mcg folic acid, 171 mg potassium, 15 mg calcium, 10 mg phosphorus, and 10 mg magnesium.
GRAPEFRUIT AND MEDICATIONS
Grapefruit is known to interact with many medications. There are several drugs that are âpotentiatedâ by taking them with grapefruit or grapefruit juice, meaning their effect is made stronger, and others whose effectiveness is reduced when taken with grapefruit. The categories of medications that may interact with grapefruit include antihistamines, antibiotics, benzodiazepines, calcium-channel blockers, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and immune system suppressants. If you are taking any of these medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you should avoid grapefruit.
Bringing It Home
Ironically, a grapefruit that looks the most perfect from the outside may not be the best one inside. Uneven color or marks on the skin donât tell us much about the fruit inside, and a perfect-looking skin is often one that is too thick for the best grapefruit taste. But do avoid grapefruit skins that are overly rough or wrinkled. With citrus fruit, the guideline that you should choose a fruit heavy for its size goes double for grapefruit. You want a juicy fruit, and lightweight grapefruit are often dry inside.
Grapefruit are grown in California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona, and although they are available nearly year-round, they are best in winter and early spring. They will keep in the refrigerator for two to three weeks, but they are juicier at room temperature, so you may want to keep them out if youâll be eating them within a few days or set them out for an hour before eating them.
Livit Recipe
Hot Grapefruit Breakfast
1 large pink grapefruit
1 teaspoon non-hydrogenated margarine
1 teaspoon agave nectar OR brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 fresh cherries with pits removed
⢠Preheat oven to 350°F.
⢠Cut the grapefruit in half around the middle (not end to end). With a grapefruit knife or short paring knife, cut between the flesh and the shell around the circumference, then cut between the sections. Try not to pierce the skin. Place the grapefruit halveson a baking sheet. Dot each grapefruit half with ½ teaspoon of margarine. Squirt agave nectar or sprinkle brown sugar over the tops. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon.
⢠Bake for 5 minutes, then broil until the top is bubbly. Remove the grapefruit from the oven and place each half in an individual bowl. Garnish with a fresh cherry in
Benefits
It may surprise many people, but grapefruit really can help with weight loss! In a small test involving 100 obese people, those who ate half a fresh grapefruit each day lost more weight than the control group that did not. It appears that the effect is partly due to grapefruitâs ability to lower glucose levels. Eating grapefruit also appeared to help patients with metabolic syndrome, reducing their insulin resistance. Although these studies were small and more research needs to be done to determine why and how grapefruit works, the results could be significant for the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Grapefruit is rich in flavonoids that are helpful in lowering the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. It is a good source of pectin (a soluble fiber that helps lower cholesterol) and vitamin C. Because it is not very sweet, it is a good fruit for those who wish to limit carbohydrate. Grapefruit seeds have also been shown to have an antibacterial effect.
As is often the case, the more brightly colored fruit tends to have more anti-oxidants and other life-saving compounds. That means that pink- and red-fleshed varieties of grapefruit pack more nutrient punch than white grapefruit, including the antioxidant lycopene, which may help prevent age-related blindness.
NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION One-half medium pink or red grapefruit provides 39 calories, 9.9 g carbohydrate, 0.8 g protein, 0.1 g fat, 1.4 g dietary fiber, 153 IU vitamin A, 42 mg vitamin C, 13 mcg folic acid, 171 mg potassium, 15 mg calcium, 10 mg phosphorus, and 10 mg magnesium.
GRAPEFRUIT AND MEDICATIONS
Grapefruit is known to interact with many medications. There are several drugs that are âpotentiatedâ by taking them with grapefruit or grapefruit juice, meaning their effect is made stronger, and others whose effectiveness is reduced when taken with grapefruit. The categories of medications that may interact with grapefruit include antihistamines, antibiotics, benzodiazepines, calcium-channel blockers, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and immune system suppressants. If you are taking any of these medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you should avoid grapefruit.
Bringing It Home
Ironically, a grapefruit that looks the most perfect from the outside may not be the best one inside. Uneven color or marks on the skin donât tell us much about the fruit inside, and a perfect-looking skin is often one that is too thick for the best grapefruit taste. But do avoid grapefruit skins that are overly rough or wrinkled. With citrus fruit, the guideline that you should choose a fruit heavy for its size goes double for grapefruit. You want a juicy fruit, and lightweight grapefruit are often dry inside.
Grapefruit are grown in California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona, and although they are available nearly year-round, they are best in winter and early spring. They will keep in the refrigerator for two to three weeks, but they are juicier at room temperature, so you may want to keep them out if youâll be eating them within a few days or set them out for an hour before eating them.
Livit Recipe
Hot Grapefruit Breakfast
1 large pink grapefruit
1 teaspoon non-hydrogenated margarine
1 teaspoon agave nectar OR brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 fresh cherries with pits removed
⢠Preheat oven to 350°F.
⢠Cut the grapefruit in half around the middle (not end to end). With a grapefruit knife or short paring knife, cut between the flesh and the shell around the circumference, then cut between the sections. Try not to pierce the skin. Place the grapefruit halveson a baking sheet. Dot each grapefruit half with ½ teaspoon of margarine. Squirt agave nectar or sprinkle brown sugar over the tops. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon.
⢠Bake for 5 minutes, then broil until the top is bubbly. Remove the grapefruit from the oven and place each half in an individual bowl. Garnish with a fresh cherry in
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