Grapefruit Helps Clean Your Arteries and 4 More Things You Need to Know

Articles
March 19, 2014

Grapefruit is rarely mentioned as a super food extraordinaire, yet it contains many powerful health-promoting properties and deserves a place on everyone’s plate. Find out SupermarketGuru's top five reasons here.

Grapefruit is rarely mentioned as a super food extraordinaire, yet it contains many powerful health-promoting properties and deserves a place on everyone’s plate.  Here are 5 reasons you might want to add some grapefruit to your daily diet:

Immune Boost: Grapefruit is high in immune-boosting vitamin C. Vitamin C-rich foods like grapefruit may help reduce cold symptoms or the severity; over 20 scientific studies have suggested that vitamin C is a cold-fighter. Grapefruit’s vitamin C content also naturally boosts the body’s amount of glutathione, which helps to conquer the effects of stress and aging.  This helps prevent the free radical damage that triggers the inflammatory cascade, associated with reduced severity of inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Anti-Cancer: Grapefruit contains a group of phytonutrients called terpene limonoids, which have been shown in many studies to have anti-cancer effects (as well as anti-viral).  Limonoids inhibit tumor formation by promoting the formation of glutathione-S-transferase, a detoxifying enzyme. This enzyme sparks a reaction in the liver that helps to make toxic compounds more water soluble for excretion from the body.  And there is more anti-cancer news.  Pulp of citrus fruits contain glucarates, compounds that may help prevent breast cancer.

Cardiovascular Health: Grapefruit contains pectin, a form of soluble fiber that has been shown in animal studies to slow down the progression of atherosclerosis. In one study, animals fed a high-cholesterol diet plus grapefruit pectin had 24 percent narrowing of their arteries, versus the control with 45 percent narrowing. In other words, the pectin binds to cholesterol and helps to remove arterial buildup. The limonoids mentioned above also help lower high cholesterol levels.

Pain: Grapefruit can help reduce pain.  Grapefruit has natural anti-pain properties thanks to its salicylic acid content, a natural aspirin.

Antioxidant Rich: Grapefruit zest and fruit contains powerful antioxidants that help protect the body’s cells from damage.  The zest is high in limonene that has natural anti-cancer properties, particularly against stomach and pancreatic cancer.  Another antioxidant in pink and red grapefruits is lycopene, which helps protect against bladder, cervical, and pancreatic cancer. Lycopene appears to have anti-tumor activity. Among the common dietary carotenoids, lycopene has the highest capacity to help fight free radicals, compounds that can damage cells.

Grapefruit should not be consumed when taking statins, blood pressure meds, and some others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for any specific interactions.