13 Amazing Grapefruit Juice Benefits

The grapefruit has been a dietary staple since the 18th century, and it is just as popular (maybe even more so!) today.

This fruit is known for its serious nutritional power, but it also has a lot more going for it.

Below you will find many grapefruit juice benefits that might just make you reconsider this sour citrus.

For Your Health

The juice from a grapefruit is beneficial both inside and outside of the body. It is packed with many valuable nutrients.

According to the USDA Nutrient Database, the following is the nutritional breakdown of both pink and white raw grapefruit juice:

Pink and White Grapefruit Juice (One Cup)

• Calcium – 22mg
• Iron – .49mg
• Magnesium – 30mg
• Phosphorus – 37mg
• Potassium – 400mg
• Sodium – 2mg
• Zinc – .12mg
• Vitamin C – 93.9mg
• Thiamin – .099mg
• Riboflavin – .049mg
• Niacin – .494mg
• Vitamin B-6 – .109mg
• Folate – 25µg
• Vitamin A – 27 µg (Pink: 1141IU)
• Vitamin E – .54mg

In addition to these nutrients, the juices also contain beneficial lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. They also contain beta-carotene and lycopene, which are powerful antioxidants.

These nutrients provide a wealth of benefits in the body, such as helping to fight heart disease and cancer, fever, digestive issues, diabetes, and malaria.

Externally, grapefruit juice also helps to clear complexion problems, and it can even be used as antiseptic on wounds.

Weight Loss

We all know that the previously reported grapefruit juice benefits for weight loss were a bit on the over-hyped side, but they do provide some benefits.

In fact, one study has shown that consuming the juice did add a bit more lost weight to those receiving it as either the fresh fruit, or the raw juice. This sour shot has also shown that it helps to increase your metabolism, which is an essential part of weight loss.

Grapefruit juice also suppresses the appetite, which it does via its scent.

Many who use the juice have reported that upon smelling the pungent aroma, their feelings of hunger lessen, helping them to fight hunger cravings, and control the amount of food they eat.

For this reason, it is often recommended that dieters include grapefruit in their diets.

Those who have insulin sensitivities have also shown that the juice can actually lower insulin levels, which can be a major consideration for some people who are trying to lose weight.

Flu

Grapefruit juice is packed with antioxidants, and it helps to minimize acidity within the body, both of which are important for boosting the immune system. Those who include it in their daily diet may even discover that they suffer from the flu and other illnesses less frequently.

This is due to the fruit’s anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral, anti-cancer, and antibacterial properties. Additionally, the juice can help those suffering from fevers and colds thanks to high amounts of vitamin C.

Energy Booster

Another of the many grapefruit juice benefits is that when it is combined with lemon juice in equal amounts, it effectively gives you an energy boost thanks to nootkatone, and its ability to affect energy metabolism.

This is also a major consideration for those trying to add exercise to their weight loss, as it gives the added energy they need to power through workouts, and have more endurance.

Stroke and Blood Pressure

Grapefruit juice has also shown promise as a vasodilator, which means that it relaxes blood vessels to minimize the pressure.

This lowering of the blood pressure provides added protection against stroke. There are also several nutrients in grapefruits that help to maintain heart health.

Hydration

Another grapefruit juice benefit is that it is highly hydrating. As the fruit is made up of 91% water, drinking its juice can help to ensure proper hydration.

This hydration, when coupled with the vitamin C content also helps to not only protect the skin against damage from the environment, it even helps to repair it – especially when applied directly to the skin.

Juicing & Adding Grapefruit Juice Benefits

There is no denying that grapefruit juice provides many benefits, which means you should be including it in your juicing lifestyle.

While many enjoy the juice on its own, you can also juice it with oranges for a mega dose of vitamin C, or you can add a bit of celery to give it a bit more taste.

You will have to experiment with mixing grapefruit juice with vegetables, as the unique flavor may not mix well with some of them. It is all a matter of taste.

You should take care if you are susceptible to kidney stones due to the high levels of potassium in the juice. If you mix it with other juices, make sure not to include other juices with high potassium levels.

A Word of Warning

While grapefruit juice contains many beneficial vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, there are some cases in which one should not drink it. If you are currently taking medications, you should check with your doctor before adding this juice to your diet.

It has the ability to bind with enzymes, which can result in much higher levels of your medications making it into your bloodstream. This can happen quickly, and the results can be dangerous.

Some of the most common medications that have negative interactions with grapefruit juice are:

• Statin Drugs – Medications that are taken to lower the level of cholesterol in your blood

• Calcium Channel Blockers – Drugs that are used to control high blood pressure, migraines, angina, and other conditions.

• Psychiatric Drugs – Drugs that have a psychoactive effect that are used to treat mental disorders.

• Benzodiazepines – Drugs that are used to treat insomnia and anxiety

• Immunosuppressants – Medications that prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs

The grapefruit juice benefits are numerous, and if it is safe for you, you should consider adding this juicing powerhouse to your diet. Not only will it help keep you healthier, it can also help you lose weight, and finally reach your health goals.

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