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Grapefruit juice is
a bit like Marmite.
You either love it
or hate it.
But the health benefits of grapefruit
are too many to be overlooked, so it’s
always worth including it on your menu.
This juicy fruit contains citric acid, natural
sugars, essential oils like limonene,
pinene and citral. It has high amounts
of vitamin C, and smaller amounts of
vitamin A, B complex, E and K.
In the mineral department, it has
large amounts of calcium, folic acid,
phosphorus and potassium.
When eating or juicing grapefruit,
peel off the skin but leave as much
rind intact as possible because the
rind contains the highest amount of
valuable bioflavonoids and other
anti-cancer agents.
Grapefruit as a remedy
Acidity: Although grapefruit has a
sub-acid taste, its juice actually has an
alkaline reaction after digestion. This
has a profound effect in the treatment
of acidity in the digestive system
that causes a host of other
health problems.
Atherosclerosis: Pectin in this fruit has
been found to be effective in reducing
the accumulation of arterial deposits,
and the vitamin C helps to strengthen
and maintain the elasticity of arteries.
Breast cancer: The bioflavonoids found
in grapefruit halt cancer cells from
spreading in breast cancer patients, by
ridding the body of excess estrogen.
Common cold: A common cold is
usually your body telling you that you
are overworked. A regular drink of
grapefruit during a stressful period
gives your immune system the boost
needed to prevent it coming on.
Cholesterol: A certain compound found
in grapefruit helps reduce the excessive
production of cholesterol from the liver.
Diabetes: A diabetic can safely eat a
grapefruit. In fact, more consumption
of this fruit will help reduce the starches
and sweets in the system. If you have a
tendency towards diabetes, consume
more grapefruit juice to prevent it.
Digestive disorder: This juice helps
to promote digestion by increasing
the flow of gastric juices. Eat the fruit
together with its rind for its extra fibre
that aids bowel movements.
Fatigue: At the end of a long and tiring
day, drink a glass of grapefruit juice with
lemon juice in equal parts with a little
honey, to dispel all fatigue and tiredness.
Fever: Besides drinking plenty of
fluids, also drink grapefruit juice to
reduce fever.
Insomnia: A drink of grapefruit juice
before bedtime, helps to promote
sleep and alleviates insomnia.
Pregnant women: The bioflavonoids
and vitamin C help to reduce water
retention and swelling of the legs
during pregnancy.
Sore throat: Drinking a freshly-squeezed
grapefruit juice helps relieve sore
throats and soothes coughs.
Stomach and pancreatic cancer:
The anti-cancer agents in grapefruit
(especially in the rinds) are particularly
protective against these cancers in the
digestive system.
Weight-loss: This fruit has a fat-burning
enzyme and can help to absorb and
reduce the starch and sugar in the
body. It is widely consumed by people
who are trying to lose weight.
So, if you’re not a
fan of grapefruit
already - it might
be time to convert! |
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