Grapefruit's Function In Promoting A Healthy Immune Response

The colorful grapefruit is highly valued for its immune-boosting properties and high vitamin C content. It has high fiber and potassium content as well. But be careful—grapefruit might interfere with some medications. Consult your doctor before ingesting this potent superfood. A certified dietician expands on the benefits of this fruit.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, which is abundant in grapefruit, helps maintain a strong immune system and shortens the course of respiratory virus infections. Additionally, it contains naringin, which seems to have qualities comparable to an inhibitor that physicians recommend to patients with type 2 diabetes in order to enhance their glucose tolerance (23). Antioxidant-rich carotenoids such as lycopene are abundant in the orange hue of the fruit. They also include a potent antioxidant that can guard against cell inflammation and vitamin A, which is crucial for eye health. One of your five-a-day servings is a small glass of unsweetened grapefruit juice, or 80g of tinned fruit or half of a fresh grapefruit. But, if you take any drugs, check with your doctor before consuming grapefruit since it may interact with them. Grapefruit's citric acid, which is high in calcium oxalate, may help avoid kidney stones from forming (27). The organic acids raise the pH and volume of urine, which reduces the possibility that waste products will crystallize and cause kidney stones.

Naringin

Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that promotes a healthy immune system, is abundant in grapefruits. It also has a number of additional minerals, such as the bioflavonoid naringin, that are crucial for general health. A phytochemical called naringin has anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. It has been demonstrated to scavenge free radicals and raise antioxidant levels in the body. Additionally, it has been demonstrated to enhance skin tone and suppleness while guarding against UV-induced damage. The condition known as atherosclerosis, in which plaque and cholesterol accumulate in the arteries, may benefit from naringin treatment. Research on animals has demonstrated that it can lower blood triglyceride levels and enhance heart health. It has been discovered to stop LDL oxidation and lower oxidative stress to prevent atherosclerosis. It has been demonstrated to prevent cancer by increasing apoptosis in pancreatic, breast, and prostate cells and preventing cell proliferation. Naringin was shown to decrease the excretion of calcium in the urine and to promote bone mass and strength in ovariectomized mice.

lycopene

Tomatoes and other red or pink fruits and vegetables receive their color from the phenolic pigment lycopene. In the United States, tomatoes are the main food source for lycopene; however, other fruits and vegetables high in this antioxidant include watermelons, persimmons, oranges, pink grapefruits, and guavas. It has been demonstrated that lycopene prevents atherosclerosis via a number of methods. It produces vasodilatory effects by reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and increasing nitric oxide availability. Moreover, it can prevent macrophage activation and reduce the production of foam cells. It has been demonstrated that lycopene protects against inflammatory diseases by controlling the NF-B pathway within cells. Furthermore, by inhibiting ERK phosphorylation, lycopene can lower the generation of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Moreover, lycopene shields cell DNA from oxidative stress. Lycopene inhibits carcinogen-induced carcinogenesis, which lowers the incidence of mouth cancer and breast cancer, according to epidemiological and animal research.

Calcium

Potassium's electrochemical gradient between the interior and exterior of cells is essential for kidney function, muscular contraction, and nerve transmission. Potassium levels in the blood typically range from 3.6 to 5.0 mmol/L. Diarrhea, vomiting, and certain medical diseases that affect potassium excretion or produce transcellular changes in potassium can all contribute to low potassium levels (see below). Another excellent source of vitamin C is grapefruit, which has more than half the daily needed amount of this water-soluble antioxidant. Additionally, it contains beta-carotene, an essential mineral for eye health that the body transforms into vitamin A. The National Academy of Sciences' (NASEM) dietary recommendations emphasize the importance of eating a variety of foods rich in vitamins and minerals to maintain maximum health. According to a recent study, women who regularly ate grapefruit consumed more potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, folate, and fiber than those who did not.