Hello my dear readers,
This week we have discovered the grapefruit, a citrus with multiple properties, perfect for slimming diets and with countless positive effects on the body.
And since really has multiple properties, today let’s discover some more of them.
The banana for athletes, the apple for those on a diet, strawberries for those who want a low calorie hunger, and it happens to forget about grapefruit, a citrus with multiple properties, rich in fiber, flavonoids, vitamins A, B, C and pectins.
Often used in slimming diets because it helps to decrease the absorption of food, grapefruit also contains a substance called limonene, responsible for the acid taste, but with anticancer properties.
Grapefruit should be used with caution or even avoided if you are taking any medications, because it interacts with many of them; that is, it increases or decreases (depending on the drug) the bioavailability of the active ingredient, varying its pharmacokinetics.
Be especially careful if you use statin-based medicines to lower cholesterol levels, some sedatives, calcium channel blockers, often used for hypertension, and some antibiotics. If enzymes do not work in the liver in the correct way to metabolize these pharmacological substances, there is a risk of excessive and dangerous accumulation in the body, generating important problems that should not be underestimated.
So if you are taking any medications, before starting to eat grapefruit, please better consult your doctor if the grapefruit may affect your medications.
Having said that, grapefruit has also innumerable beneficial properties to help you stay healthy.
Let’s see 10 most important beneficial properties of grapefruit:
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Digestive system
Grapefruit has been discovered by modern pharmacology as it demonstrates its usefulness both for infections of the digestive system and, more simply, for simple digestion difficulties.
Precisely for this reason it is recommended for consumption at the end of the meal. Grapefruit stimulates the secretion of gastric juices, thanks also to the presence of dietary fiber, and helps digest proteins better.
It also has disinfectant properties against the body and helps fight lung infections. It purifies the blood and increases the defenses against some bacteria such as streptococci and staphylococci.
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Analgesic
If combined with caffeine (a spoonful of juice in a cup of coffee) it becomes an excellent analgesic. To be used with caution because grapefruit increases the effect of caffeine in the body.
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Excellent against insomnia
Being an excellent source of tryptophan, it is enough to drink a glass of grapefruit juice before going to sleep and have a good night sleep.
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Diabetes
Useful ally also against diabetes, thanks to the presence of flavonoids that regulate blood sugar levels, grapefruit helps to avoid glycemic peaks.
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Colon
The pectin contained in this citrus fruit defends the mucous membrane of the colon, protecting it from tumors and other diseases.
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Cholesterol
Pectin helps keep blood cholesterol levels under control. A good glass of grapefruit juice taken daily prevents plaque build-up in the arteries.
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Eyes and sight
Rich in antioxidants, as well as Vitamin A, C, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, naringenin and naringin, grapefruit helps to maintain healthy eyes and therefore a healthy sight.
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Immune system
Vitamin C strengthens the immune system and helps the body develop protection against infectious agents. Just think that grapefruit juice is an effective aid in fighting fever!
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Anticancer
Lycopene is a flavonoid with antioxidant properties, especially present in pink grapefruit, useful against prostate cancer.
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An ally in the diet
Grapefruit acts as an appetite suppressant and is often included in weight loss diets. If consumed at the end of the meal, it accelerates the transformation of fats into energy. It also helps fight cellulite and water retention thanks to the high amount of potassium. Among its qualities it also has those of promoting the functioning of the liver and kidneys, thus having a purifying function of the blood and also diuretic and therefore disinfectant of the urinary tract.
And to not forget the grapefruit seed extract
The grapefruit seed extract, available in pharmacies and herbal medicine, is effective against hundreds of types of bacteria and varieties of mushrooms. It does not damage the bacterial flora but stimulates and strengthens the immune system without any side effects, as well as counteracting free radicals and therefore postponing cellular aging.
Let’s see specifically the different uses of grapefruit seed extract.
External use:
- in case of stomatitis (inflammation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity) or bleeding of the gums, for pharyngitis or laryngitis: a mouthwash is prepared by combining 10 drops in a glass of water and rinsing.
- Cold sores: put a drop of grapefruit extract and 9 drops of water and make compresses.
- Acne and mycosis of skin and nails: use the extract diluted in water
- Candida Albicans: use grapefruit seeds also integrating with lactic ferments (without milk)
- Cystitis: 10 drops diluted in a glass of water to disinfect the urinary tract
- Home use: 10 drops of extract diluted in half a liter of water to sanitize the house from bacteria and fungi.
Earth is giving us so many options for food! Eat healthy and stay healthy!
Thank you all for reading.
Have a wonderful day!
Love, R
