Grapefruit: 11 Health Benefits

Nutritionally, you would be hard pressed to find another fruit that can match the grapefruit. Grapefruit health benefits, for example, include fighting various ailments such as fatigue, fever, malaria, diabetes, and urinary problems. There is a reason why this fruit is so often a recommended part of healthy diets. Find out more by reading below.

Here are 11 grapefruit health benefits:

1. Suppresses Appetite

To start, grapefruit health benefits include suppressing your appetite, which lends itself to weight loss plans. This is due to the high amount of fiber within grapefruits. Fiber helps keep you full as well as stimulates the release of cholecystokinin--a hormone that acts as a hunger suppressant.

2. Treats Influenza

Grapefruit health benefits also extend to flu treatment. This is because grapefruit helps minimize acidity. The bitterness in grapefruit comes from what’s called naringin, which helps tone your digestive system. Naringin is also an antioxidant, which can boost your immune system and protect against several illnesses and diseases. (1, 2)

3. Treats Malaria

Moving on, treating malaria is also on the list of grapefruit health benefits. Grapefruit contains quinine, which is beneficial in the treatment of marlaria, as well as other conditons such as lupus, arthritis and nocturnal leg cramps. (3) Quinine is not necessarily easy to come by in other foods, so this makes grapefruit extra valuable.

4. Treats Fever

The pulp or juice from grapefruit is beneficial in treating fevers. For example, it reduces the burning sensation that occurs when the body reaches a high temperature, and overall, helps promote a quick recovery from fever. Grapefruit health benefits, due to the high content of vitamin C, also include fighting off illnesses in general, such as the common cold. (4)

5. Reduces Fatigue

Grapefruit health benefits continue with the ability to boost your energy and fight fatigue. Whether you’re tired from work, stress, illness, or a monotonous routine, grapefruit can offer you the nutrient-dense pick-me-up you need. Grapefruits contain nootkatone, which is a rare compound that improves energy as well as metabolism. (5)

6. Treats Indigestion

Due to its ability to ease heat and irritation, grapefruit health benefits include the ability to treat indigestion. Furthermore, grapefruit improves the flow of digestive juices, which eases bowel movements and regulates your excretory system.

7. Promotes Sleep

Grapefruit health benefits also include promoting restful sleep. This is due to the tryptophan present in grapefruit, which makes you sleepy. Drink a glass of grapefruit juice before bedtime to combat insomnia and get a heavy, peaceful sleep. (6)

8. Controls Diabetes

As it can reduce starch levels and regulate the flow of sugar, grapefruit health benefits include controlling diabetes. Studies show that it’s the flavonoid content in grapefruit that makes it beneficial for diabetics. (7)

9. Reduces Acidity

The citric acid in grapefruit increases the efficiency of the alkalinity reaction after digestion. As such, grapefruit helps maintain an alkaline atmosphere within your body. This is helpful because it fights acid formation as well as diseases that arise due to there being too much acid in the body. (8)

10. Eliminates Constipation

Grapefruit is good for your your digestive system, too, particularly through relieving constipation. The juice stimulates the colon, helping ease and induce bowel movements. (9)

11. Treats Urinary Disorders

Due to the vitamin C and potassium contents, grapefruit is also good for treating urinary disorders. This includes issues related to urination often caused by liver, kidney or heart complications. Furthermore, the potassium content helps relax arteries, which helps prevent heart attack and stroke. And high potassium levels have been inked with higher cognitive function, as well. (10)

Caution: Grapefruit contains certain chemicals that may conflict with various drugs. Speak to your doctor to address any concerns.

Not a fan of eating grapefruit straight from the rind? Well, give this recipe a try: Grapefruit Skinny Smoothie!