This entry was posted 14 years, 3 months ago.
February 16, 2009
The grapefruit is a very popular citrus fruit, and a lot of people like eating grapefruits believing that they are very useful to their health. Grapefruit is one of the most miraculous and mystic fruits. First of all, it is about its name, the grapefruit: what can a citrus fruit have in common with grapes? The secret is in the way the fruit appears on the trees: in a cluster of 5-10 fruits, 
resembling the cluster of grapes. Latin name of the fruit is “citrus paradisi“, or “the citrus from paradise”. The fruits are usually 6-10 inches round, they have smooth dotted peel and 11-14 juicy segments with membranous lemon-color walls and refreshing, a little bitterish juice.
The grapefruit was first discovered by Griffith Hughes in 1750 in Barbados and named “the forbidden fruit of Barbados“. In the end of the eighteenth century, several travelers reported about a miraculous citrus they found in Jamaica. In those times, grapefruit tree leaves were used for decoration, but later on it was discovered that the fruits have a very pleasant taste, contain a lot of vitamins and other useful elements, and can be used as food. That is why in the end of the nineteenth century the farmers in the U.S and Europe started actively cultivating grapefruit trees and receiving good profits from their plantations.
Today, there are more than 20 types of grapefruit, which can be divided for 3 groups according to the color of their flash: red, pink and white grapefruits. Like all citrus fruits, grapefruit is very rich in vitamin C: 100 g of grapefruit contain 50% of our daily norm for this Vitamin. Also, grapefruit contains lots of natural antioxidants, known for their anti-aging and anti-cancerous properties. Finally, some recent studies proved that grapefruit can lower the level of cholesterol, have positive effects on our skin and lower the risks of having a heart disease. However, it is necessary to consult a therapist or a health care practitioner before taking grapefruit on a daily basis, because many people can develop allergy for this fruit. Besides, if you are taking some medications, it is not always good to mix them with grapefruit.
Probably, the majority of you heard about so called “the Miraculous Grapefruit Diet”, which is supposed to help you put off weight by drinking about three glasses of grapefruit juice every day. It is claimed that grapefruit contains certain agents which help to burn calories and fat more effectively. A famous brilliant actress Sophia Lorain was the first to publicize her success with the Grapefruit Diet, saying that she managed to preserve her youth and beauty by eating 1 grapefruit every day. She also attracted public attention to numerous positive properties of this natural source of vitamins, its abilities to quench one’s thirst, refresh and fasten detoxification processes, improve our skin and gums, and so on.
The Grapefruit Diet has its advantages and disadvantages. It can help you to put off some good weight for a really short period of time (something like 10 pounds for a fortnight). Besides, it is a fad diet which is not connected with hunger and includes eating full meals three times a day, plus a bedtime snack. In terms of this diet, a person is required to eat a half of grapefruit with every meal, or drinking 8 oz of grapefruit juice with every meal. However, it is very important to remember the dangerous sides of the Grapefruit Diet. It is quite risky and can not be used for a long period of time. Also, those people who are sensitive to all types of citruses, as well as the majortity of women after 40-45, should avoid this diet, despite all its advantages. Be careful about this famous diet, do not put your health in danger and talk to your doctor if you are believe that your health is strong enough to go through this diet.
Author Info: Hi! My name is Carla and I am a 5th year medical student at HYMS. I am interested in alternative medicine and I have done months researching the topic of herbal medicine. Besides, I like interviewing people and learning more about their experiences with one or another type of herbal treatments. I am willing to contribute to this site with my knowledge, and I would be happy to help you out to the best of my ability with any specific questions or problems related to alternative medicine.
June 23rd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Really great post – I’ve been looking for info like this for awhile.
June 29th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Thanks for sharing the tips, I will try this stuff with fresh fruits 🙂 sounds really cool!
I have got some overweight problem and nothing cold help, its time to try something new.
Regards,
Anie
October 3rd, 2009 at 9:47 am
Hi.
I drink home-brewed stout, and I find that adding a little grapefruit juice (with “bits”) gives it a great “kick”!
October 15th, 2009 at 6:50 am
Good advice.
April 25th, 2011 at 11:00 am
I would like to ask that if I used to get daily One glass of Grapefruit juice with empty stomuch, I got 105 sugar, 175 Colestrol Age-27. Please suggest me.
May 21st, 2011 at 1:24 am
“…first discovered by Griffith Hughes in 1750 in Barbados” please! Like Europeans are now “discoveeing” coconut water? Does nothing exist until a “white” person knows about it?
May 29th, 2011 at 10:33 am
My energy level has grown like you won’t believe, and as a mom of four years old, I need a lot of it! Many thanks for giving me the remedy I need to finally reduce these last 30 pounds forever!
April 16th, 2012 at 8:48 am
Grapefruit benefits can also help уоu recover quickly frоm colds or flu!