By PL Chang on May 06th, 2009

Grapefruit: Calories and Nutrition

Image provided by Steven Fernandez
Grapefruit looks similar to oranges and has a tangy sweetness. Grapefruit is popular for weight management because it is low in calories and full of nutritional goodies. A fully grown grapefruit can contain less than 80 calories, no wonder it is a popular diet for weight loss. Besides its low calories, grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber and lycopene (antioxidant). Other important nutrients found in grapefruit are potassium, folate and vitamin A. Grapefruit is also great for boosting the immune system and helping the body fight the common cold or flu. The nutrient responsible for this is vitamin C.

Studies have shown that vitamin C may help reduce cold or flu symptoms. Independent researchers suggested that very high dose of vitamin C can significantly weakened the cold or flu virus. Vitamin C is also important for energy because it enhances the body’s ability to absorb iron. Iron is important for energy because red blood cells need it to transport oxygen. The more iron a red blood cell has, the more oxygen it can carry. Another nutrient that is essential for health is lycopene. Like vitamin C, lycopene also has antioxidant properties. The rich pink and red interior colors of grapefruit are possible because of lycopene. This powerful antioxidant is well known for reducing the risk of cancer and inflammatory diseases.

People with cholesterol problems can benefit greatly by adding grapefruit in their diet. Grapefruit contains pectin, a soluble fiber that is known to lower cholesterol levels. The reason why pectin is believed to lower cholesterol levels is because it has the ability to attach itself to fatty substances. By doing this, it prevents the body from absorbing fatty substances, such as cholesterol into the bloodstream. For best results, avoid eating meat as much as possible when going on a grapefruit diet.

Grapefruit benefits: