Grapefruit
Grapefruit, translated from English grape and fruit – a citrus yellow-orange fruit, growing in the subtropical climate zone.
This fruit grows on the evergreen tree of the same name, reaching a height of 13-15 m. Ripe fruits are no more than 15 cm in diameter. In appearance, the grapefruit most closely resembles an orange, but its fleshy parts are more sour, and the white fibers in it are bitter.
Many scientists believe that this citrus fruit appeared in India as a result of natural hybridization of pomelo and orange.
New varieties of citrus fruit were artificially created on the basis of grapefruit – Mineola and Tangela, which are not at all popular in Bulgaria.
The ripening period of the grapefruit is 9-12 months and the picking of this citrus fruit takes place at the beginning of February.
There are about 20 varieties of grapefruit. They are distinguished by the color of the bark from bright yellow to light red and the color of the parts from yellow to red.
It is believed that the redder the skin, the sweeter the flesh.
In 1650, the grapefruit was first discovered on the island of Barbados. And the citrus fruit got its first name in 1750 from Griffith News, who called it the “forbidden fruit”.
But in 1814, traders from the island of Jamaica renamed it to the familiar “grapefruit”. The popularity and volume of consumption began to grow so quickly that in 1880 in the USA it began its industrial cultivation mainly for export.
The largest plantations of this evergreen tree are located in the states of Florida and Texas. To satisfy the demand from the European markets, the fruits are grown in Israel and on the island of Cyprus.
Nutritional value of 100 grams of grapefruit
• Proteins – 0.7 grams;
• Fats – 0.2 grams;
• Carbohydrates – 6.5 grams;
• Mineral salts – 0.5 grams;
• Water – 88.5 grams;
• Calorie content – 32 kilocalories;
Since 100 grams of grapefruit contain only 32 kilocalories, it belongs to the group of low-calorie and diet foods.
The energy value of canned grapefruit is 37 kilocalories, and citrus fruit juice has 30 kilocalories per 100 grams. Grapefruit can be used by all people without worrying about a possible increase in body weight.
Beneficial properties
The composition of the fleshy part of the grapefruit includes a large amount of useful substances, including vitamins – A, nicotinic and ascorbic acid, D, B1, B2, B9, and the following minerals – potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, iodine, iron, cobalt, copper, manganese, zinc, fluorine and antioxidants, plant fibers and carotenoids.
Grapefruit is considered a dietary food, which is successfully used in the fight against extra pounds.
This is related to the presence in its composition of substances that have the ability to break down cholesterol into simpler compounds that are more easily removed from the body through the kidneys and digestive system.
Other substances in this citrus fruit have the property of reducing the need for insulin in diabetics, so nutritionists recommend that these people eat at least one grapefruit a day.
Contraindications
Some compounds in this citrus fruit can neutralize the effect of medicinal preparations, in particular contraceptives.
Therefore, if a person is taking any medication systemically, it is advisable to consult their doctor regarding their compatibility with grapefruit.
Also, grapefruit juice, on the contrary, can enhance the action of the preparations, thus increasing their concentration in the blood and thus causing adverse reactions related to overdose.
