Grapefruit: The Great Fruit?

In my search to find a body wash that will also double as an acne preventing agent I came across a product with grapefruit extract in it. I thought perhaps grapefruit was an added ingredient to only provide the fragrance for the product. My curiosity led me to see how grapefruit could have anything to do with what was going to be my new acne preventing regimine. Well I found out its reasoning plus more jaw dropping info that I just had no idea of.

Nutrient Benefits

Grapefruit works the same as orange juice by providing great health benefits. When ingested it’s a great source of Vitamin C. As we all know Vitamin C is beneficial to support the immune system by either reducing colds we may catch or decreasing their severity. Grapefruit juice ranks high in antioxidant activity. Its benefits have also been used to break up a tight cough and thick phlegm. A few other vitamins that grapefruit provides are A, B, D and P.

Weight Loss Benefits

The dietary fiber that grapefruit contains can help with a slow digestion which can cause a more full sensation in the stomach and help control appetite. Also, included in grapefruit is a high fat burning enzyme and high water content. The two together can help increase the body’s metabolism while helping to burn some extra calories in the process. Exercising the old fashioned way and having a proper diet are still the main options for weight loss but every bit helps. Right?

Healing Benefits

There are so many health benefits that grapefruit offers that I can’t possibly list them all. Can you believe that grapefruit juice can aid in the prevention against lung and colon cancer? The portion of the grapefruit called the albedo is what attributes to this. The albedo is the “skin” between the peel and the pulp. For smokers, drinking 3-6 oz glasses of grapefruit juice a day can lower the activity of cancer causing agents that are found in tobacco smoke. No, this doesn’t mean you can never quit smoking, I’m just sayin’. The red and pinkinsh hue of the grapefruit are because of the lycopene that it contains. Lycopene has properties that fight against tumor formation. It has a high capacity to fight compounds that can damage cells. The pulp of grapefruit contains properties called glucarates that can help prevent breast cancer. Another hat that this sweet yet tart fruit wears is the lowering of cholesterol because it contains pectin which can slow down the progression of atherosclerosis which is clogging of the arteries.

Skin Care

Salicylic acid is found within grapefruit. Can’t remember where you’ve seen the words salicylic acid from? You’ve probably seen them from the bottles of your latest facial cleanser. Amongst its attributes this fruit is excellent for the care of oily and combination skin. It provides cleansing and its toning effects can help lighten pigmentation spots. With the help of grapefruit facial masks, grapefruit is also known to help fight freckles and wrinkles. The oil that can be made from this fruit has been known for tightening puffy skin and reducing enlarged pores. Grapefruit oil also has the ability to boost your energy and uplift your mental state if you're feeling down by combining it with your fave massage or a bath oil.

What can a fruit do to you, you might ask. Though grapefruit has its endless benefits, it also has its dark side. With blood pressure medicines a mix of the two has proven to be dangerous by heightening the potency of them. With an anti-anxiety drug like valium the combination of these two can make muscle control difficult. Trying to operate machinery is a definite no-no when under the influence of this combo. Having a glass of grapefruit juice with cholesterol-lowering drugs can effect someone negatively too. It can result in kidney failure. Scary! There are other drugs that can be contraindications when mixed with grapefruit and grapefruit juice and if your are considering adding either to your diet please consult your physician if you are taking medications that might concern you. It's better safe than sorry.