Grapefruit – Boost your Metabolism and Lose Weight
Grapefruit is great for boosting your metabolism and lose weight. Along with the orange and lemon, it is one of the best known and most popular citrus fruits.
Known by some as pomelo, grapefruit is a hybrid, probably produced spontaneously between pampelmusa and sweet orange in the Caribbean Sea plantations around the 17th century.
This fruit, up to 6 inches in diameter, is covered with a thick peel. Its pulp ranges from pale yellow to very intense red. It has 11 to 14 slices of firm, very juicy, sweet, or sour sections depending on the variety, separated by membranous walls with a characteristic bitter taste.
The largest producer and exporter country of fresh grapefruit, is the United States, accounting for nearly 40% of total world exports. South Africa and Israel are the next most important exporters.
Grapefruits are grown in early autumn until almost the beginning of winter and are harvested either mechanically or manually, the latter system being preferred to avoid damaging the delicate skin.
Nutritional Composition of the Grapefruit
Grapefruit has a high content of vitamin C, a well-known antioxidant. The red varieties have a higher amount of this component and vitamin A compared to the white type.
Also, this fruit provides naringenin, a natural agent capable of helping to repair the DNA structure of cells. It can reduce mutation in cells and is a support in the prevention of cancer and precancerous lesions.
Grapefruit is very rich in water, 89% of its weight. It is also a fruit rich in fiber and low in calories: 100 grams of grapefruit provides only 42 calories.
It contains beta-carotene and bioflavonoids and small amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and E, except B12. They are also a good source of calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and zinc.
Benefits of Grapefruit
Grapefruit’s nutrients fight flu symptoms, and strengthen our defenses, reduce inflammatory processes, and prevent heart disease and cancer.
Its consumption helps to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides. Some scientific studies have found that eating one grapefruit a day reduces high levels of bad cholesterol in the blood by 15% and triglycerides by 27%.
It is useful in preventing iron deficiency anemia because the iron ingested is better absorbed by eating it.
Grapefruit is convenient for the control of hypertensive people because it has a large amount of potassium in addition to containing little fat and sodium.
It is a fruit suitable for people with diabetes because of its low carbohydrate content and abundant vegetable fiber, capable of delaying or reducing the absorption of fat and cholesterol.
The high contribution of fiber helps to proper digestion and to prevent constipation.
Including this fruit in your diet helps you lose weight because it accelerates your metabolism. One study found that people who ate half a grapefruit before each meal lost three pounds after 12 weeks. Grapefruit has compounds that burn fat and help stabilize blood sugar.
Grapefruit Tips
Select thin-shelled, round and heavy grapefruits in relation to their size, as these are the sweetest and juiciest. They should be firm, but not too hard.
When they have a strong and sweet aroma, it is a sign of quality. However, if the grapefruit has been kept in a refrigeration room, it loses its characteristic smell.
Grapefruits should be left covered at room temperature, but not sealed. In this way, they remain juicy for at least two weeks.
If they are to be kept longer, they should be placed in the refrigerator’s vegetable drawer in a punched plastic bag. In this way, they will last in good condition for up to a month.
Culinary Properties of Grapefruit
Grapefruit should not be eaten only at breakfast. It can be used differently, such as in marinade for fish and poultry, or as juice for cooking chicken or other meats.
It can also be used as a salad dressing, mixed with other fruits in refreshing salads, or served as a slice in spicy dishes.
Grapefruit is inexpensive and easy to buy and offers endless possibilities to be applied into tasty and healthy dishes.
Grapefruit Delicious Recipes
Grapefruit and Avocado Salad
Ingredients
2 pink grapefruits
2 avocados, cut into thin strips
2 peppers cut into strips
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons of your favorite vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons of virgin olive oil
4 fresh lettuce leaves
Directions
- Cut the grapefruits in half and continue cutting between the peel and the pulp and between the membranes to remove the segments. Chop into a bowl to collect any spilled juice.
- Mix the soy sauce, vinegar, and oil in a small bowl. Add the collected grapefruit juice and set aside.
- Line the lettuce leaves in a large bowl. Artistically place the segments of grapefruit, avocados, and peppers.
- Pour the dressing mixture over the salad.
For a quality diet.
Fish with Grapefruit Salad
Ingredients
1 pound of strips from the fish of your choice
2 unshelled grapefruits cut into halves
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons of grapefruit juice
1 tablespoon of virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon mustard
Fresh lettuce leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Salt and pepper the fish strips and steam, covered, until well cooked, 2 to 3 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix the grapefruit juice, oil, and mustard, and add the grapefruit pieces with the chopped onion. Stir to combine.
- Place fish strips on top of lettuce leaves.
- Pour the grapefruit with the dressing over the fish strips.
- Serve at room temperature or cold.
An excellent brunch for all ages.
Grapefruit, Guava and Papaya Shake
Ingredients
1 cup of grapefruit juice
3 chopped guavas
1/4 cup of papaya
Honey to taste
Frappé ice for the glasses
Directions
- Put all the ingredients in the blender.
- Blend until you get a smooth, creamy shake.
- Drink instantly served in glasses with frappe ice.
A refreshing taste to fill us with health.
