The grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi) is a subtropical citrus tree known for its relatively large, sour to semi-sweet, somewhat bitter fruit. The interior flesh is segmented and varies in color from pale yellow to dark pink.
Grapefruit is a citrus hybrid originating in Barbados. It is an accidental cross between the sweet orange (C. sinensis) and the pomelo or shaddock (C. maxima), both of which were introduced from Asia in the 17th century. In the past it was referred to as the pomelo, but that term is now mostly used as the common name for Citrus maxima.
In 2019, world production of grapefruits (combined with pomelos) was 9.3 million tonnes, of which 53% was in China. Other significant producers include Vietnam, United States and Mexico.
Grapefruit is a great food to include in a balanced diet. That’s because it’s high in nutrients but low in calories. In fact, it’s one of the lowest-calorie fruits. It provides a decent amount of fiber, in addition to more than 15 beneficial vitamins and minerals. Here are some of the major nutrients found in half of a medium-sized grapefruit:
Calories: 52
Carbs: 13 grams
Protein: 1 gram
Fiber: 2 grams
Vitamin C: 64% of the recommended dietary intake (RDI)
Vitamin A: 28% of the RDI
Potassium: 5% of the RDI
Thiamine: 4% of the RDI
Folate: 4% of the RDI
Magnesium: 3% of the RDI
Additionally, it is a rich source of some powerful antioxidant plant compounds, which are likely responsible for many of its health benefits.
Grapefruit may benefit your immune system. It contains several vitamins and minerals known for their role in protecting the body against infection.
It’s prized for its high vitamin C content. Vitamin C has antioxidant properties known to protect your cells from harmful bacteria and viruses. Additionally, studies have shown vitamin C to be beneficial for helping people recover more quickly from the common cold. Many other vitamins and minerals found in grapefruit are known to benefit immunity, including vitamin A. Vitamin A has been shown to help protect against inflammation and several infectious diseases.
Grapefruit also provides small amounts of B vitamins, zinc, copper, and iron. These all work together in the body to promote immune system function. They also help maintain the integrity of your skin, which acts as a protective barrier to infection.
Finding easy ways to burn abdominal fat has been a quest that many of us have been on for many years. From "fat-burning" pills to following complicated diets, the goal to reduce belly fat is one that many people have been trying to accomplish for ages.
Unfortunately, to truly burn abdominal fat, you will have to do a bit more than simply pop a supplement or include one specific food in your diet. And one food that may do just that is the juicy and tart-sweet grapefruit.
Grapefruits are a source of nutrients that help support weight loss, including satiating fiber. And data published in the Journal of Medicinal Food shows that eating half of a fresh grapefruit before meals is linked to significant weight loss.
According to observational data published in Food and Nutrition Research, body weight, waist circumference, and BMI were lower among female grapefruit consumers compared to grapefruit non-consumers.
And when evaluating the effects of eating specific varieties of grapefruit on weight, data from a small study shows that eating one-half of a Rio Red grapefruit before each meal for 6 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in waist circumference.
Can eating grapefruit burn abdominal fat? While animal data suggests that consuming naringenin, a flavonoid present in citrus foods like grapefruit, can reduce fat mass, more clinical trials conducted on humans are needed for us to make that claim with confidence.
