Grapefruit calories

In the battle of the bulge, grapefruit calories can be great allies to a weight watcher. Grapefruits are members of the citrus family like oranges and lemons, and like oranges, they are tangy flavored and have a plentiful store of vitamin C in them. The flesh of grapefruits may be pink, ruby red, or white, also called blond. The sour and slightly bitter taste of grapefruit is not liked by many when they taste it at first, though with time the succulent fruit becomes a power breakfast must-have regular for most people. This is because not only do they have fewer calories, grapefruits are packed with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, flavonoids, and pectin, all of which bolster the body’s immune system and help fight various diseases.

Rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, grapefruits are great for the digestive system.

The insoluble fiber acts a sponge drawing toxins and wastes from the intestines and eliminating them from the body and preventing constipation. This greatly reduces the risk of colon cancer. The soluble fiber in grapefruit calories is effectively used by the body to lower cholesterol and pave the way for a healthy heart. Grapefruit calories or carbs count for a lot in the body’s battle against viruses such as colds. The vitamin C in grapefruits not only supports the immune system against colds, but also helps to prevent or minimize the damage done by free radicals. Inflammatory conditions resulting from asthma attacks, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis are rendered more manageable.

Regardless of whether you’re consuming large grapefruit calories or grapefruit juice calories, the benefits of including the fruit in the daily diet cannot be overemphasized. In particular, a flavonoid called naringenin, present in the fruit, is helpful in the fight against prostrate cancer by repairing the damaged DNA in cancer cells and by eliminating potentially harmful cell mutations. Naringenin is also known to block the secretion of Hepatitis C virus from infected cells and to aid in containing the infection.

Calories in a grapefruit are the least of a dieter’s concern because the high fiber content in the fruit makes one feel full with fewer calories and for a longer period of time. Pectin present in grapefruits helps to regulate the levels of blood sugar, by slowing down the rate of absorption of carbohydrates from the food consumed. Diabetics who drink a grapefruit juice or eat a half a grapefruit before a meal find that they consume fewer calories. Pectin is also the active ingredient in grapefruit calories that helps to lower cholesterol levels. By eliminating unwanted cholesterol from the body, it prevents the build up of plaque on the walls of arteries.

For those who want to lose unwanted pounds, it is important to include in their diets, specific fruits and vegetables that can accelerate the body’s metabolism and improve its capacity to burn calories at a faster rate. The high levels of water in grapefruit serve as the catalyst that boosts the body’s metabolism. Naringenin found in grapefruit juice or whole grapefruit calories is also responsible for blocking the uptake of fatty acids and causing the liver to burn more fat. Many find that going on a grapefruit diet is quite effective for weight loss. As part of this diet you are supposed to drink about three glasses of grapefruit juice daily. As mentioned earlier, the fruit is a natural source of important vitamins, helps you quench your thirst, accelerates the detoxification process, and improves our gums and skin.

Grapefruit diet

Following a grapefruit diet has both some advantages and disadvantages. You can lose a good amount of weight in a really little time (about 10 pounds in a fortnight). Another advantage of a grapefruit diet is that you need not fast while on it. You have to eat three meals a day and also a bedtime snack. You are supposed to have half a grapefruit along with every meal. You could also drink about 8 oz of the juice along with your meal instead. Those planning to go on a grapefruit diet should remember that it has its disadvantages as well and should not use it for a long time. It is best that women over the age 40 and 45 should take their doctor’s advice before going on this diet.

Grapefruit nutrition facts also underscore that it contains antioxidants like lycopeme, a carotenoid phytonutrient that fights against oxygen free radicals that can damage cells. Glucarates, found in the pulp of grapefruits and other citrus fruits like oranges and mandarins are compounds that show promise in the prevention of breast cancer. As mentioned earlier, on consuming one portion of grapefruit, the calories you gain are not too many and the carbs are few as well. Studies have indicated that the grapefruit is good for the heart and can also help lower your cholesterol. However, it is important that a person who is taking certain medications consult their doctor before they eat any grapefruit. The nutrition got from grapefruit cannot be denied, and it also good for weight loss, but it can cause complications when mixed with certain medications and should be avoided. The anti-oxidants present in grapefruit work wonder’s for your skin. Grapefruit can be used to cleanse your face and also makes for a great sugar scrub. It helps in detoxifying your skin and also leaves it soft and supple.

Many people are curious about grapefruit calories and want to know how many calories are there in a grapefruit. The calories in a grapefruit or the grapefruit calories count depends upon the type of grapefruit. In red grapefruit, the calories in ½ cup or 126.0 g are about 60, in one whole pink grapefruit, the calories are approximately 100. In grapefruit juice, the calories vary depending on the type used. No matter what type of grapefruit you eat, be they pink, white or ruby red, grapefruits are not only healthy but are also filling. They are packed with essential nutrients and are also low in calories. You can peel the fruit and eat it like an orange or cut it and eat it section by section.

Submitted on January 16, 2014