Grapefruit doesn’t only contain Vitamin C which is commonly known to be protective against cold or flu. It is not just one nutrient that helps prevent a certain disease, but rather the combination of several ingredients in it that does the trick. This is the kind of nutritional power we can find only in the way God makes our natural food. This juicy fruit contains citric acid, natural sugars and essential oils including Vitamin C, and smaller amounts of Vitamin a, B complex, E and K. in the mineral department, larger amounts of calcium, folic acid, phosphorus, and potassium are found. Medicinal value Grapefruit stimulates the appetite and is used for its digestive, stomachic, antiseptic, tonic, and diuretic qualities. Grapefruit and weight loss diets Over the years a number of people have promoted the grapefruit as possessing a unique ability to burn away fat. People following grapefruit diets lose weight because they eat little else-a practice that can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Grapefruits, however, are a good food to include in a sensible weight-loss diet; a serving contains less than 100 calories, and its high-fiber content satisfies hunger. if you’re trying to lose weight, make grapefruit your first course to help prevent overeating. It’s also an ideal snack food. Grapefruit and cholesterol control Grapefruits are especially high in pectin, a soluble fibre that helps lower blood cholesterol. Grapefruit for cancer control recent studies indicate that grapefruits contain substances useful in preventing several diseases. Pink and red grapefruits are high in lycopene, an antioxidant that appears to lower the risk of prostate cancer. other uses of grapefruit Some people with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other inflammatory disorders find that eating grapefruit daily seems to alleviate their symptoms. This is thought to stem from plant chemicals that block Prostaglandins, substances that cause inflammation. Safety People who are allergic to citrus fruits are likely to react to grapefruits, too. The sensitivity may be to the fruit itself or an oil in the peel. Interactions with drugs and medicinesGrapefruit has serious interactions with many commonly prescribed medications. Grapefruit juice inhibits a special enzyme in the intestines responsible for the natural breakdown and absorption of many medications. When the action of this enzyme is blocked, the blood levels of these medications increase, which can lead to toxic side effects from the medications. Grapefruit juice research has suggested that flavonoids and/or furanocoumarin compounds are the substances that act to block the enzyme in the intestines that normally metabolises many drugs. The grapefruit juice-drug interaction can lead to unpredictable and hazardous levels of certain important drugs. These medications should not be consumed with grapefruit juice unless advised by a doctor:
Statins (cholesterol lowering drugs): Baycol (Cerivastatin) Mevacor (Lovastatin) Lipitor (Atorvastatin) Zocor (Simvastatin) Antihistamines: Ebastine Seldane (Terfenadine, taken off the U.S. market)
Calcium channel blockers (Blood Pressure drugs): Nimotop (Nimodipine) Nitrendipine Plendil (Felodipine) Pranidipine Sular (Nisoldipine)
Psychiatric medications: Buspar (Buspirone) Halcion (Triazolam) Tegretol (Carbamazepine) Valium (Diazepam) Versed (Midazolam)
Intestinal medications: Propulsid (Cisapride, taken off the US market)
Immune suppressants: Neoral (Cyclosporine) Prograf (Tacrolimus)
Pain medications: Methadone
Impotence drug: Viagra (Sildenafil)
Toxic blood levels of these medications can occur when patients taking them consume grapefruit juice. The high blood levels of the medications can cause damage to organs or impair their normal function, which can be dangerous. The following drugs may potentially have interactions with grapefruit juice, but this potential has not been scientifically studied. use caution: Amiodarone (Cordarone?) Cilostazol (Pletal?) Donepezil (Aricept?) Losartan (Cozaar?) Montelukast (Singulair?) Pimozide (Orap?) Quetiapine (Seroquel?) Sildenafil (Viagra?) Tamoxifen (Nolvadex?) Tamsulosin (Flomax?) Health benefitsWhen eating or juicing grapefruit, peel off the skin but leave as much of the albedo intact as possible as it contains the highest amount of valuable bioflavonoids and other anti-cancer agents.Acidity: Grapefruit has a sub-acid taste, its juice actually has an alkaline reaction after digestion. This has a profound effect in the treatment of acidity in the digestive system that causes a host of other health problems.Atherosclerosis: Pectin in this fruit has been found to be effective in reducing the accumulation of arterial deposits, and the Vitamin C helps to strengthen and maintain the elasticity of arteries.Breast cancer: in another study, the bioflavonoids found in grapefruit was discovered to even halt cancer cells from spreading in breast cancer patients, by ridding the body of excess estrogen.Common cold: a common cold is usually your body telling you that you are overworked. a regular drink of grapefruit during a stressful period gives your immune system the boost needed to prevent it coming on.Cholesterol: a certain compound found in grapefruit helps reduce the excessive production of cholesterol from the liver.Diabetes: a diabetic can safely eat a grapefruit. in fact, more consumption of this fruit will help reduce the starches and sweets in the system. if you have a tendency towards diabetes, consume more grapefruit juice to prevent it.Digestive disorder: This juice helps to promote digestion by increasing the flow of gastric juices. Eat the fruit together with its albedo and pith for their extra fibre that aids bowel movements.Fatigue: at the end of a long and tiring day, drink a glass of grapefruit juice with lemon juice in equal parts with a little honey, to dispel all fatigue and tiredness.Fever: Besides drinking plenty of fluids, also drink grapefruit juice to reduce fever.Insomnia: a drink of grapefruit juice before bedtime, helps to promote sleep and alleviates insomnia.Pregnant woman: The bioflavonoids and Vitamin C help to reduce water retention and swelling of the legs during pregnancy.Sore throat: Drinking a freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice helps relieve sore throats and soothes coughs.Stomach and pancreatic cancer: The anti-cancer agents in grapefruit (especially in the albedo) are particularly protective against these cancers in the digestive system. Weight-loss: This fruit has a fat-burning enzyme and can help to absorb and reduce the starch and sugar in the body. It is widely consumed by people who are trying to lose weight. if you don’t fall under the category of people mentioned below (look at "Caution" colum), then take a glass of grapefruit juice twice a day and eat normally.
Consumption tipsChoose grapefruits like how you would oranges¾firm and springy to the touch. if you can, choose the pink and red variety which are slightly sweeter.keep grapefruits at room temperature before juicing to get the most out of it. to prepare, quarter the fruit and peel off the skin.if you find the grapefruit juice too bitter or sour, mix with a little honey or with juices of other sweeter fruits.CautionGrapefruit contains high levels of flavonoid naringin that will reject synthetic man-made drugs. This is beneficial for our human cells because it helps to recognise alien compounds which should not be in our body, therefore, are treated as toxins.The presence of grapefruits may halt the metabolism of these drugs, leaving the drugs in your body thus creating the risk of toxic poisoning. Doctors may tell you that grapefruit is the cause of the toxicity, but in fact, it is really the drugs that is causing the toxicity.if you are not under medication, grapefruit juice can do a world of good. However, despite all its goodness, always remember to take only in moderation. Excessive consumption of any citrus juices can leach calcium from the body system, causing decay of the bones and teeth.The Grapefruit Liver DetoxTo complete the grapefruit liver detox, you will need more than grapefruit, although the grapefruit is an essential ingredient. You’ll need apples or apple juice, four tablespoons of Epsom salts, ½ cup of virgin olive oil, and one large grapefruit.for the four or five days preceding your liver detox, you should eat as many apples or drink as much apple juice as you can. for the last two days, drink eight ounces of apple juice every two to three hours. Drinking apple juice and eating apples will help to prepare the liver for detox.After the four or five days of drinking apple juice and eating apples, you’ll want to eat a fat-free, light breakfast. at 2pm, mix the four tablespoons of Epsom salts in three cups of water, pour in a jar and put it in the refrigerator so it is cold. at 6pm, drink ¾ up of the Epsom salts and water mixture.at 8pm, drink another ¾ of the Epsom salts and water mixture. at 9:45 pm, pour ½ of virgin olive oil into a jar. Squeeze the juice of the grapefruit into jar as well, close it and shake. Drink the mixture within five minutes. When finished, go to bed and lie on your right side with your knees up for at least 20 minutes.The next morning, you’ll need to drink another ¾ cup of the Epsom salts and water mixture. You should go back to sleep or continue to lie down and rest afterwards. two hours later, drink your final ¾ cup Epsom salt mixture. After waiting two more hours, you can begin eating again, although you should progress slowly, starting with liquids. what to ExpectOn the second day, you may have some stomach upset or even diarrhea, which is a result of ingesting the Epsom salts. You may see actual gallstones in the process. in fact, it has been reported that some people eliminate hundreds of gallstones. : Grapefruit Liver Detox | eHow.com ehow.com/way_5379385_grapefruit-liver-detox.htm