When people see grapefruit, weight loss might be the first thing that comes to mind. But don’t let the so-called “grapefruit diet” with all its negative connotations turn you off trying this super food! If you’ve never tried Rio Red Grapefruit, you’re in for a treat: the taste is entirely different from the acidic, bitter taste of white grapefruit. First discovered on a grapefruit tree back in 1929 in Texas, the sweet and tangy Ruby Red Grapefruit season reaches its peak between October and June. And it’s a good thing the season is so long, because red grapefruit have become one of the most popular types of grapefruit available.
What is grapefruit good for?
Grapefruits of all varieties are delicious on their own, as are their juices (white grapefruit makes an invigorating, lower-calorie alternative to orange juice). But did you know that grapefruit is a great addition to many recipes? Grapefruit goes beautifully in salads, seafood dishes, and can even be grilled. So grab up some sweet red grapefruit and start experimenting today!
Health Benefits of Grapefruit
Is grapefruit good for you? Oh yes! The benefits of eating grapefruit are many: just a single serving gives you 80% of your recommended Vitamin C for a day. Like orange juice, grapefruit juice benefits the immune system and works well in smoothies.
Other grapefruit benefits include nutritious elements like Vitamin A, potassium, vitamin B1, dietary fiber and other phytochemicals like liminoids and lycopene. Moreover, the calories in a grapefruit are only at 42 per 100 grams (lower that a serving of oranges, so if your wonder is grapefruit juice good for you, consider making it your morning breakfast drink).
Due to the nutrients they contain, grapefruits are said to help reduce weight, control diabetes, decrease risk of certain forms of cancer, promote healthy digestive tracks, regular bowel movement, and improve cognitive performance and memory. Aside from that, grapefruits have also been shown to lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, resulting in lower risk of heart disease and lower blood pressure.
Note: if you’re wondering can dogs eat grapefruit, the answer is they probably shouldn’t. Citrus isn’t poisonous to pets, but overindulging (as our canine friends do tend to do) can cause a tummy upset, so better safe than sorry.
How to Eat Grapefruit
The best way to eat a fresh grapefruit is to slice it in half and scoop out the segments with a serrated grapefruit spoon. If you try to peel a grapefruit the way you would an orange and separate and eat the segments that way, you’ll wind up with a lot of bitter-tasting pith.
