What’s in a Grapefruit?

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Healin’ Notes–Not just old wives’ tales

Rose Goddess

I could have talked about why Grapefruit’s Essential Oil was good for you, but it was more fun to ask Debbie, our massage therapist and health wizard, to let you in on the deeper secrets of Grapefruit:

WHAT’S IN A GRAPEFRUIT?  The Grapefruit is an alkaline fruit, containing ample amounts of vitamin C, folic acid, calcium, iron, and potassium.  It also includes important phytonutrients such as flavonoids (contained especially in the inner rind and peel), terpenes, limonoids, and coumarins.  Of particular note is the flavonoid, naringin, which is anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and helps eliminate old red blood cells from the body.

Grapefruit helps to detoxify carcinogens through its phenolic compounds.  It contains pectin which helps lower blood cholesterol levels and helps dissolve arterial plaque.  Grapefruit contains the wonderful anti-inflammatory and skin cleansing enzyme bromelain.  Pink grapefruit contains the antioxidant, lycopene.  Grapefruit has antimutagenic, antiseptic, antiviral, detoxifying, mucus dissolving, diuretic, and liver cleansing properties.  It helps promote the circulation of energy and remove inorganic calcium deposits from the body.

The peels of the grapefruit make for great skin cleansers.  They have a cooling and cleansing effect, lifting dirt right off your skin.  The exfoliating cleansing properties of grapefruits are likely due to its alpha-hydroxy acids.  Grapefruits have also been suggested as one of the best cellulite dissolvers ever!

David Wolfe, author of Eating for Beauty, recommends fasting on the following drink for 3 days to see miraculous results:

Grapefruit Cellulite Reduction Cocktail

  • 3 Large pink grapefruit
  • 1 Large orange
  • 1 Large lemon
  • 4 feijoa (or 1 cup of fresh pineapple juice)

Slice all fruits in half and process through a citrusjuicer.  Serves 4.

When buying grapefruits, look for ones that are firm, but springy to the touch and heavy for their size.  Thin-skinned fruits tend to be juicier. As always,organic is best!

Enjoy!