Grapefruit – is another excellent citrus fruit, which juice is almost as famous as orange juice. Considering its health benefits, it is not surprising. Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice is full of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
A glass of delicious grapefruit juice is a source of essential micronutrients that guarantee a great start to the day.
1. Health benefits of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
First of all, it is essential to mention that this juice can only boast all the benefits if it is freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Store-bought juices have no impact on your well-being; that’s why we are discussing a fresh-squeezed drink particularly.
So, what are these things that make this juice so attractive? It is packed with vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds. It is worth highlighting the following substances:
- Vitamins A, B, C, E
- Minerals: Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron
- Fructose
- Pectin
- Dietary fiber
- Antioxidant lycopene
- Alkaloid quinine
- Flavonoid naringin
An essential benefit of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice is that it can significantly strengthen the immune system thanks to vast amounts of Vitamin C. One glass ( 7-8 ounce ) of grapefruit juice contains a daily rate of that vitamin required for a person.
Very beneficial are such substances as quinine and naringin, which are powerful natural antibiotics and antifungal preventers. They effectively relieve inflammation and prevent the spread of infection. It is also worth drinking this juice to recover from any illness.
Another important compound is lycopene. This antioxidant has an active antitumor effect, preventing the development of malignant processes.
Grapefruit juice is known for dissolving non-calcified gallbladder and kidney stones and preventing their appearance. Also, this drink cleanses the body of toxins, which is vital for maintaining these organs’ health.
Grapefruit juice contains pectin, which does an excellent job in clearing bad cholesterol from the blood vessels. It has been proven that grapefruit juice contains substances that can prevent the development of the cell’s resistance to insulin. That means that grapefruit juice protects against the development of type 2 diabetes.
Also, grapefruit juice contains substances that help burning fat. It also removes the organism’s excessive fluid and is considered a good remedy against cellulite. Including this drink in your regular diet may result in rejuvenation and improvement of skin color.
2. Calories in freshly szueezed grapefruit juice
Due to the fact that the fruit mainly consists of water, the caloric value of grapefruit juice is only 39 kcal per 4oz of it. At the same time, you are being enriched with a whole set of valuable vitamins and minerals. That’s why this citrus is often used in various diets; it is very nutritious but at the same time low in calories.
Nutritional value per 4oz (100g) of grapefruit juice:
- Proteins – 0.8g
- Fats – 0.2g
- Carbs – 8.7g
As you can see from its low caloric value, grapefruit juice is rich in nutrients but low in fats. It makes this juice absolutely suitable for any diet and even helpful with losing weight.
Thanks to the high content of useful polysaccharides, grapefruit quickly makes you feel full and helps avoid hunger, which is essential in most diets. Also, the fruit is rich in enzymes, which burn fat and reduce such symptoms of excess weight as cellulite.
3. How to make grapefruit juice?
To make grapefruit juice at home, all you need is a juicer or a blender. If you are going to use a blender, then make sure to peel the skin first and then put it in the machine. If you don’t have any of these two devices, you can do it manually as well.
By the way, in this article, we discuss the best juicers for citrus fruits – Best Citrus Juicers
For cheaper options, we also have an overview of hand juicers, which also are very suitable for citruses – Top 6 Hand Juicers
The most suitable for juicing are red or pink grapefruits – they are sweeter. More yellow grapefruits are rather sour and maybe less tasty as a juice.
4. What are the side effects of drinking too much grapefruit juice?
Regardless of its fantastic health benefits, it is also essential to know the possible side effects of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. First of all, the same as any citrus, grapefruit is a strong allergen. Even though some specialists say that allergic reactions to grapefruit are rarer than other citruses, the risk is still possible.
Any adverse reaction most often happens because of contraindications or excessive consumption. That is why, before including this juice into your diet, it is strongly recommended to consult with your personal doctor.
In general, grapefruit juice is not recommended to those who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, gastritis, pancreatitis, duodenitis, cholelithiasis, increased acidity, various liver diseases. People with urogenital system problems should be cautious as well.
Also, it is worth remembering that acids are bad for tooth enamel. Therefore, it is recommended to rinse your mouth after consuming the juice. The same applies to all citrus juices. You can also drink these juices through the straw, which is another idea to protect your enamel from acids.
5. FAQ about grapefruit juice
Q: What is the best time to drink grapefruit juice?
A: The best time to drink grapefruit juice is after breakfast or lunch. It is not recommended to drink it before bed-time, as it has a refreshing effect. Also, because of high acidity, it is better to avoid drinking it on an empty stomach.
Q: How much grapefruit juice can you drink a day?
A: For an adult, it is not recommended to drink more than 1 glass ( 8oz / 200ml ) of grapefruit juice per day for children older than 3 years – not more than half of that dose. For children younger than 3 years, grapefruit juice is not recommended.
Q: How long can you keep freshly squeezed grapefruit juice?
A: It is best to drink grapefruit juice immediately after preparation. All its benefits disappear in 15-20 minutes. After a few days, it goes bad. That’s why it is not recommended to prepare grapefruit juice in advance.
Q: Can you freeze grapefruit juice?
To extend grapefruit juice shelf life, you can freeze it in any plastic container in a freezer. That way, it can stay up to 4 months. However, this is useless in terms of health benefits because this drink contains substances that disappear in 20 minutes after squeezing the juice.
Liked the article? Share it!
Recent Comments