Grapefruit And Your Metabolism, The Perfect Fat Burner?

Grapefruit is hands down, one of my favorite fruits to enjoy and yes, we can eat that!  If you’ve been trying to lose weight and you’ve been looking for a great snack food that will keep you energized between meals without making you feel full or leading you to cheat, grapefruit may be exactly what you’ve been after so lets take a closer look at some of the benefits of eating grapefruit!

 

Grapefruit And Vitamin C:

So what is grapefruit good for?  Well did you know that one half of a large grapefruit contains over 57 mg of vitamin C!  According to the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements, vitamin C’s functions in your body include maintaining a proper immune system and helping to create collagen, a substance found in your cartilage, skin, tendons and scar tissue.  It also functions as an antioxidant, which means it can help prevent damage to your body from free radicals.  Men typically need 90 mg of vitamin C per day, while women need 75 mg per day and by incorporating grapefruit into your diet, you can certainly get your daily amounts.

Dietary Fiber:

The grapefruit contains 1.8 g of dietary fiber in a single half. Maintaining healthy levels of fiber in your diet can help keep your digestive system functioning properly.  Fiber can help reduce your risk for intestinal disorders like diverticulitis or constipation.  The Mayo Clinic recommends that men consume about 38 g of fiber daily until age 50, after which they should consume about 30 g daily.  Women should consume about 25 g daily until age 50, and 21 g daily thereafter.

Grapefruit Weight Loss?

YES!  Because grapefruit is low in sodium and calories, it is an excellent food for dieters.  One half contains only 74 calories, making it a food that the dieter can freely consume, guilt-free.  Grapefruit also contains high amounts of enzymes and potassium that are known to burn fat.  The water content is also high (90 percent), which helps increase metabolism, which in turn aids weight loss.

Grapefruit The Fat Burner?

Benefits of eating grapefruit daily at numerous but can this powerful little fruit act as a fat burner? Grapefruit that burns fat is not a simple rumor or fad. Scientific research reveals the amazing power of this wonderful breakfast or anytime fruit. Simply enjoy a glass of grapefruit juice or half of a grapefruit before each meal to reap the benefits. Those who participated in the experiment lost up to four pounds in twelve weeks, not to shabby!

Good For Constipation?

Regularity can be a problem for some individuals but grapefruit can be a great alternative to “get things moving”.  A glass full of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice in the morning is a great remedy to control constipation. The juice stimulates the colon and other parts of the body relating to the digestive system. This is due to the stimulating effect of fiber on the secretion and stimulation of gastric juices that ease the constriction of the digestive tract and induce a bowel movement.  This is also a great alternative to harsh laxatives or other over the counter medications.
Even with all the amazing benefits, there is a side of caution when it comes to consuming grapefruit.  Grapefruit as well as the juice can produce unwelcome interactions with certain prescription drugs, so you should consult with your physician or pharmacist before taking some drugs and consuming this particular fruit.  

For example, grapefruit increases the amount of statin in the system, which can cause rhaddomyolysis, a condition that can trigger temporary muscle weakness or paralysis, so if you are on any medications, its imperative that you speak to your medical team, just to make sure you do not have any negative interactions. Check here for a list of medications that shouldn’t be taken with grapefruit juice.

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Thanks for Reading!

Chris