Grapefruit juice is not only tasty, but also very he althy: it supports immunity, supports the heart, regulates blood pressure and lowers cholesterol, accelerates weight loss, and people who drink it before going to bed have no problems falling asleep - and these are not all of its properties yet. However, there are situations where grapefruit juice can do some harm instead of helping. So it's worth knowing what properties grapefruit juice has and who can drink it and who should avoid it?
Grapefruit juicehas a distinctive flavor that most people describe as slightly sour. However, it all depends on the variety of grapefruit it was squeezed from (and how mature the fruit was).
The most popular - but also the most bitter (due to a substance called narginine) is the juice squeezed from red and pink grapefruits. Yellow grapefruit juice has a slightly milder taste, devoid of bitterness. The sweetest is the juice squeezed from green grapefruits, also known as sweety and being a cross between a grapefruit and a pomelo, i.e. a giant orange.
Although you can buy grapefruit juice in every store, the he althiest one is the one that is not made from concentrate, but squeezed just before drinking it.
However, although grapefruit juice is very he althy, not everyone can drink it - in some situations it must also be given up by people who previously consumed it without any problems. It has to do with some specific properties of this juice.
Grapefruit juice - nutritional properties
Grapefruit juice is sometimes referred to as a vitamin and mineral bomb, because it contains a number of nutrients:
- vitamin C
- vitamin E
- vitamin A
- B vitamins
- folic acid
- flavonoids
- carotenoids
- fiber
- phosphor
- calcium
- iron
- magnesium
- potassium
- zinc
Grapefruit juice is low in calories - 250 ml of juice is only 40 kcal.
Grapefruit juice - pro-he alth properties
Hand-made grapefruit juiceIt retains almost all he alth properties of grapefruit, so for many people it is a great alternative to eating this fruit, which, due to the membranes covering it, is a bit bitter. What are these properties?
Grapefruit juice:
- supports slimming- accelerates metabolism and facilitates fat burning, the fiber contained in it increases the feeling of satiety
- relieves constipation- it improves bowel function
- has a positive effect on the heart- lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, and the carotenoids contained in it have a strong antioxidant effect
- has anti-cancer properties- this is due to the flavonoids that occur, among others in white membranes (so don't remove them by squeezing the juice) and studies have shown that they can prevent certain types of cancer, including cancers of the stomach, bladder and cervix.
- regulates the level of glucose in the blood- it also has a low glycemic index, therefore it is recommended, among others, people with insulin resistance
- supports immunity- thanks to the high content of vitamin C, it reduces the risk of colds
- prevents insomnia- it does not stimulate the body, and additionally, thanks to the low content of tryptophan, it helps to relax.
Grapefruit juice and medications
Grapefruit juice contains a number of compounds that can interact with medications. It has been shown that the flavonoids in grapefruits (including hesperidin and naringenin) can reduce the concentration of enzymes responsible, among others, for the absorption of active substances in drugs, which means that the drug is not metabolized properly and its bioavailability may be increased, i.e. the effect of its action may be enhanced.
This may result in accidental overdose with all the related consequences, e.g. liver or kidney damage, respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal bleeding, fatigue, anxiety disorders.
In some cases, grapefruit juice (and the grapefruit itself) can also reduce the effects of medications. Therefore, it should not be drunk while taking antibiotics, drugs for insomnia, hypertension and ischemic heart disease, or drugs taken to treat lipid disorders or during anticancer therapy. Grapefruit juice can also make hormonal contraceptives less effective.
The effect of grapefruit and grapefruit juice on the effectiveness of drugs may last for several days, so when taking any medications, make sure that you can safely drink grapefruit juice during the treatment.
How To Make Good Grapefruit Juice?
The basis of tasty grapefruit juice are fruits: they must be ripe and juicy. You will get the best juice if the grapefruit is large and heavy (because then it contains a lot of juice). Pay attention to the ends of the fruit - it is better if they are flattened and hard, as grapefruits with elongated tips have quite thick skin but little juice.
Good grapefruit juice can be made in several different ways. The easiest way, of course, is to squeeze it by hand in an ordinary citrus juicer - then just wash the grapefruit, cut it and squeeze it.
Juicing in a slow juicer is also a good option - it takes longer, but the juice contains more valuable nutrients, especially fiber, which is usually lost in the case of hand-squeezed juice. Then the grapefruits must be washed and peeled, and in the case of some models - also cut into the juicer.
Thick grapefruit juice with pulp can also be made in a blender - then the peeled, divided into particles and pitted grapefruit just put in a bowl and blend, possibly adding a small amount of water.
Grapefruit juice - contraindications
Who can't drink grapefruit juice? In the group of people who are strictly advised against it, there are mainly those who take drugs that may interact with substances present in grapefruits. If the relevant information is not included in the drug leaflet, it is worth asking your doctor about it.
People suffering from heartburn should also not drink it, as grapefruit juice may aggravate this condition - this also applies to heartburn in pregnant women.
