How do grapefruit help your body

This can cause the medication to pass from the gut into the bloodstream faster than usual. People with kidney infections should also be cautious when consuming grapefruit, due to the high levels of potassium it contains. Damage to the kidneys can make it difficult to remove excess potassium from the blood. In some cases, a buildup of potassium can be life-threatening. People with gastroesophageal reflux disease may experience a worsening of heartburn and regurgitation when consuming grapefruit, as it is highly acidic.

Unless a person has a specific condition that makes it unsuitable, grapefruit can be a healthful addition to any diet. A person with diabetes must monitor the carbohydrate and sugar in their diet. Apples contain carbs and sugar, but they also provide fiber, making them….

Oranges may help lower the risk of stroke, support the heart and skin, and aid diabetes management. In this article, learn more about the many health…. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is essential for many bodily functions, including the production of collagen. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the….

Eating fruit can help ensure a person gets enough fiber, vitamins, and minerals. However many fruits are high in natural sugars and may not be…. People sometimes call high blood pressure the silent killer because it often has no symptoms, but it can lead to life threatening complications. Why is grapefruit good for you? Benefits Nutrition Diet Risks Summary Grapefruit is a citrus fruit with a flavor that can range from bittersweet to sour. Share on Pinterest Grapefruit may help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Latest news Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Related Coverage. Are apples good for diabetes? For instance, one study found that participants experienced a reduced waist size when they consumed grapefruit daily with their meals 20 , Eating grapefruit before meals may be helpful for weight loss.

Its fiber and water can promote fullness and reduce calorie intake. Eating grapefruit regularly may have the potential to prevent insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes. Insulin is a hormone that regulates many processes in your body. Insulin resistance ultimately leads to higher insulin and blood sugar levels, two primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes 22 , 23 , Eating grapefruit may help control insulin levels and thus have the ability to reduce your likelihood of becoming insulin resistant Furthermore, eating fruit as a whole is generally associated with better blood sugar control and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes 25 , Grapefruit may help reduce insulin resistance, which can lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Regularly consuming grapefruit is thought to improve heart health by reducing risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. In one study, people who ate grapefruit three times daily for six weeks experienced significant reductions in blood pressure over the course of the study.

These effects are likely due to the important nutrients that grapefruit contains, which play a role in keeping your heart functioning properly. First, grapefruit is fairly high in potassium, a mineral responsible for many aspects of heart health. Adequate potassium intake is associated with a reduced risk of high blood pressure.

Additionally, it has been shown to lower the risk of death from heart disease 29 , Second, the fiber in grapefruit may also boost heart health, given that a high fiber intake is associated with lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels Overall, researchers claim that including fiber and antioxidant-rich fruits like grapefruit as part of a healthy diet helps protect against conditions like heart disease and stroke 11 , 31 , Grapefruit contains nutrients and antioxidants shown to help protect the heart by regulating blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Grapefruit contains a few different antioxidants that provide various health benefits, including a reduced risk of several diseases Antioxidants protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that may cause harmful reactions in your body Grapefruit contains several types of antioxidants that may help prevent the development of some chronic conditions, including heart disease and cancer.

Consuming grapefruit may reduce your risk of developing kidney stones , which result from a buildup of waste materials in the kidneys.

These waste materials are products of metabolism that are normally filtered through the kidneys and removed from the body in urine. However, when they crystallize in the kidneys, they become stones. Larger kidney stones may cause a blockage in the urinary system, which can be incredibly painful. The most common type of kidney stones is calcium oxalate stones.

Citric acid, an organic acid found in grapefruit, may be effective at preventing them by binding with calcium in the kidneys and flushing it out of the body 41 , Also, citric acid has the ability to increase the volume and pH of your urine, producing an environment that is less favorable to the formation of kidney stones Grapefruit contains a lot of water and is, therefore, very hydrating. While drinking lots of water is the best way to stay hydrated, eating water-rich foods can also help.

Known for its combination of extreme bitterness and slight sweetness, this fruit is also versatile when added to salads, fruit medleys, and other recipes. Perhaps more important is its nutritional profile, which includes disease-fighting antioxidants. Read more about the grapefruit and its potential benefits and side effects. Whether you eat grapefruit for breakfast or turn to it for a refreshing snack, this bittersweet-tasting citrus fruit is a staple in many American households.

It belongs to the Rutaceae family, known for their edible fruit and aromatic leaves. Grapefruit, like other citrus fruits, grows on trees. They tend to grow in more tropical climates, as the trees grow better in sandy soil. The trees themselves can grow up to 20 feet tall and have dark green leaves. The actual fruit looks nothing like a grape: It has a yellow rind with pulp that may be yellow, a very light pink, or a darker, deeper red.

Each cluster on the tree produces more than 12 to 20 grapefruits at a time. Grapefruit trees are now grown across the United States, but the modern grapefruit we know today is thought to have evolved from a hybrid version from Jamaica. It was popularized in the West Indies before making its way to the U. Grapefruit was popularized as a diet food in the s. As a result, grapefruit grew exponentially in popularity across the country.

Some reports suggest that metropolitan New Yorkers selected grapefruit as the fourth-most popular fruit and vegetable in the early s. The United States Department of Agriculture USDA offers the following nutritional information for a one-cup serving of whole grapefruit sections with juice: 3. Nutritionally speaking, the grapefruit is perhaps best known for its vitamin C content, and is on the list of healthy fruits recommended by the U. Department of Agriculture's MyPlate guidelines.

Once for ounce, it ranks third behind oranges and lemons among the highest fruit sources of vitamin C.

Like other citrus fruits, such as oranges and tangerines, grapefruit is appreciated as an excellent source of vitamin C.

This water-soluble nutrient is important for: 4. In considering these basic body functions, the National Institutes of Health recommends that most adults get between 75 and 90 mg of vitamin C per day. Pregnant and breast-feeding women need even more than nonpregnant women, but not more than 90 mg. She recommends trying it in a salsa, with chopped bell peppers and cilantro.

First, she suggests, try it plain. Although most Americans already consume too much sodium and sugar, a tiny sprinkle of salt on half a grapefruit or a bit of brown sugar on a slice you stick under the broiler is "a drop in the bucket" compared with other choices you could make, Collins said.

American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association.

Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc. If you have questions or comments about this story, please email editor heart. Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below please adhere to guidelines.

Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages. Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Medical Xpress in any form.

You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties. More information Privacy policy. This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, collect data for ads personalisation and provide content from third parties.

By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Home Health Home Cardiology.