You know the old saying, "An apple a day keep the doctor away", well these days there are so many smarter options to include on a daily basis that it's important to explore some of them.
An excellent choice is the grapefruit. Its unique taste and refreshing quality make it a great choice whether you eat it at room temperature or straight from the fridge.
Not only is the grapefruit great tasting, but also it provides a myriad of excellent health benefits that you would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Let's take a look at my top 5 reasons for adding a grapefruit a day!
Reason #1: Vitamin C
1 large grapefruit supplies about 250 mg of vitamin C, where out daily requirement ranges from 90-2000mg. This means that with only half a large grapefruit we get more than we need for optimal functioning.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that helps support the immune system, helping us fight-off colds, the flu, and other viruses that are floating around us everyday. It has been proven that an adequate intake of vitamin C can lower the risk of developing high blood pressure, strokes, and cancer. Even more, adequate intake of vitamin C has been shown to decrease the risk heart attack and other heart conditions.
Reason #2: Cholesterol Lowering Effects
Pectin, a form of soluble fiber found in grapefruit, is effective at lowering the bad cholesterol (LDL). Pectin helps lower cholesterol by decreasing the rate of absorption in the intestinal tract. It also acts as a protective mechanism for our vessels, preventing the accumulation of plaques (atherosclerosis), thus helping to keep the vessels clean and running smoothly.
Reason #3: Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidants have gained popularity in the media over the last few years because they are so effective at preventing disease. Our body produces free radicals, which travel through the blood and attack the cells of the body, when we consume antioxidant-rich grapefruit we supply our body with enough of these free-radical neutralizing antioxidants which help prevent cell damage, which can lead to many illnesses, including cancer.
On top of preventing illnesses such as cancer, the antioxidant lycopene has been shown to decrease the risk of osteoporosis and even diabetes.
Reason #4: The Acidity in Grapefruit prevents Kidney Stones
Whether you eat a grapefruit or have a glass of grapefruit juice, the alkalinity of grapefruits can decrease the risk of developing kidney stones. Coupled with a high intake of fluids throughout the day, the alkalinity can help prevent this painful condition.
Reason #5: Weight Loss
Grapefruit is a great way to increase your weight loss and help you keep the weight off in the long run. Grapefruit is loaded with fiber, which slows the speed of digestion, thus keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Grapefruits are low in calories, making them a smart snack to have anytime of day. A certain chemical in grapefruit is responsible for preventing a spike in insulin, which is essential for preventing the storage of carbohydrates and fats.
For all these reasons, and many more than weren't mentioned, you should strongly consider adding a grapefruit to your diet at least 3-5 times per week, and ideally 1 time every day.
Do you want to get the TOP 50 weight loss TIPS? I have just completed my brand new weight loss guide called "Fat Loss Blueprint"
Get it FREE here: Weight Loss School [http://www.weightlossschool.net]
An excellent choice is the grapefruit. Its unique taste and refreshing quality make it a great choice whether you eat it at room temperature or straight from the fridge.
Not only is the grapefruit great tasting, but also it provides a myriad of excellent health benefits that you would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Let's take a look at my top 5 reasons for adding a grapefruit a day!
Reason #1: Vitamin C
1 large grapefruit supplies about 250 mg of vitamin C, where out daily requirement ranges from 90-2000mg. This means that with only half a large grapefruit we get more than we need for optimal functioning.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that helps support the immune system, helping us fight-off colds, the flu, and other viruses that are floating around us everyday. It has been proven that an adequate intake of vitamin C can lower the risk of developing high blood pressure, strokes, and cancer. Even more, adequate intake of vitamin C has been shown to decrease the risk heart attack and other heart conditions.
Reason #2: Cholesterol Lowering Effects
Pectin, a form of soluble fiber found in grapefruit, is effective at lowering the bad cholesterol (LDL). Pectin helps lower cholesterol by decreasing the rate of absorption in the intestinal tract. It also acts as a protective mechanism for our vessels, preventing the accumulation of plaques (atherosclerosis), thus helping to keep the vessels clean and running smoothly.
Reason #3: Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidants have gained popularity in the media over the last few years because they are so effective at preventing disease. Our body produces free radicals, which travel through the blood and attack the cells of the body, when we consume antioxidant-rich grapefruit we supply our body with enough of these free-radical neutralizing antioxidants which help prevent cell damage, which can lead to many illnesses, including cancer.
On top of preventing illnesses such as cancer, the antioxidant lycopene has been shown to decrease the risk of osteoporosis and even diabetes.
Reason #4: The Acidity in Grapefruit prevents Kidney Stones
Whether you eat a grapefruit or have a glass of grapefruit juice, the alkalinity of grapefruits can decrease the risk of developing kidney stones. Coupled with a high intake of fluids throughout the day, the alkalinity can help prevent this painful condition.
Reason #5: Weight Loss
Grapefruit is a great way to increase your weight loss and help you keep the weight off in the long run. Grapefruit is loaded with fiber, which slows the speed of digestion, thus keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Grapefruits are low in calories, making them a smart snack to have anytime of day. A certain chemical in grapefruit is responsible for preventing a spike in insulin, which is essential for preventing the storage of carbohydrates and fats.
For all these reasons, and many more than weren't mentioned, you should strongly consider adding a grapefruit to your diet at least 3-5 times per week, and ideally 1 time every day.
Do you want to get the TOP 50 weight loss TIPS? I have just completed my brand new weight loss guide called "Fat Loss Blueprint"
Get it FREE here: Weight Loss School [http://www.weightlossschool.net]