Grapefruit (grape and fruit born - grapes and fruit) is a yellow-orange citrus fruit that grows in subtropical climatic latitudes. Grapefruit grows in the same evergreen tree, reaching a height of 13 to 15 m. A ripe fruit with a diameter does not exceed 15 cm. According to external signs, grapefruit is more like orange, but its pulp is more acidic and internal internal veins are bitter. Many scientists believe that grapefruit appeared in India as a result of the natural hybridization of grapefruit and oranges. Artificially on the basis of new varieties of grapefruit citrus were removed: Mineola and tangelo.
The maturation period of grapefruit is 9-12 months and the main harvest is taught at the beginning of February. There are 20 varieties of grapefruit. They differ in the color of the skin from bright yellow to light red and the color of the flesh from yellow to red. It is believed that the redder the shell is, the meat is sweeter. In 1650 grapefruit was discovered for the first time in Barbados. The fruit was named for the first time in 1750 by Griffiths Hughes, who called it "the forbidden fruit". However, in 1814, Jamaican merchants changed the name to the fruit in our usual "grapefruit". The popularity and volume of their consumption grew so rapidly that from 1880 in the United States began to cultivate grapefruit on an industrial scale, mainly for export. The largest grapefruit plantations are found in Texas and Florida. For shipments to European countries, fruits are grown in Israel and Cyprus.
Grapefruit is used to make juices, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, fruit salads, jam. The juice is used for salted and marinated sauces. Also from the fruit peel in an industrial way receive essential oils, which are also used for the production of colognes, perfumes, creams, shampoos, conditioners, balms, as well as confectionery syrups and extracts for alcoholic beverages. However, most of the time the grapefruit is consumed raw, scraping the meat with a teaspoon. For this, the fruit is cut in half through the location of the lobes. You can also erase it as an orange and then release each of the slices of the white membranes.
This is a low-calorie dietary product, of which 100 g contains only 32 kcal. The calorie content of canned grapefruit is 37 kcal, and grapefruit juice contains only 30 kcal per 100 g. This product can be used by any person without fear of its own weight.
The composition of the grapefruit pulp includes a large amount of nutrients, including vitamins (A, PP, C, D, B1, B2, B9), minerals (potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, iodine, iron, cobalt, copper, manganese). , zinc, fluorine), antioxidants, fiber and carotenoids.
Grapefruit is considered a dietary product that enters the fight against overweight. This is due to the presence in its composition of substances able to cleave and eliminate cholesterol, accelerating metabolism and reducing sugar levels. To normalize blood cholesterol levels and reduce insulin intake in diabetes, nutritionists recommend eating at least one grapefruit per day. In addition, this fruit is the basis of a grapefruit diet, according to which, to accelerate digestion, you should eat half a grapefruit or drink 100 grams of fresh grapefruit juice before each meal for 15-20 minutes.
For people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases associated with the low acidity of gastric juice, doctors recommend using 200-250 grams of grapefruit juice. For the elderly, drinking grapefruit helps lower blood pressure and fight the signs of atherosclerosis. In addition to this substance, grapefruit has a positive effect on the activity of the nervous system, helping to normalize sleep and reduce headaches. The vitamins contained strengthen the immune system and relieve swelling. It is especially useful to drink freshly squeezed grapefruit, orange and lemon juice from pregnant women during the autumn-winter period and during an unfavorable epidemiological situation.
Grapefruit is also used in cosmetology for the preparation of whitening and cleaning masks. To whiten the skin, get rid of freckles and age spots, you need a gauze, folded in several layers, moisten it with grapefruit juice and apply it on the face until it is completely dry. With strong pigment manifestations, this mask must be repeated every two days for two weeks, only after that the result will be visible.
Grapefruit essential oil has a soothing and relaxing effect, so you can add it to a hot bath or aroma lamp after a hard day's work. We also recommend that you become familiar with the method of cleansing the lymph nodes and ducts using a grapefruit.
Some substances of grapefruit can inhibit the effect of drugs, in particular, birth control pills, therefore, when systematically taking any drug, you should consult your doctor about its compatibility with grapefruit. In addition, grapefruit juice, on the other hand, can increase the effect of medications, increasing their concentration in the blood, which can cause side effects associated with an overdose. Excessive use of grapefruit can adversely affect the activity of the liver, inhibiting its work and, consequently, the elimination of harmful substances from the body. Also, do not enter the diet of this fruit for people with gastrointestinal diseases associated with high levels of acidity, with hepatitis, nephritis and citrus allergies.
