Amelia Grant

Grapefruits' bulbous size, bitter pith, and tart flavor can be off-putting to those used to sweeter citrus cousins. However, adding this superfood to your regular rotation of healthy foods may benefit your health.

It is one of the 19 best breakfast foods. You also don't have to limit your consumption to the early morning hours. Because of its high water content, it makes an excellent snack at any time of day.

Here's why you should start eating more of the tangy citrus fruit, as well as what you should know about its numerous health benefits.

1. Grapefruit Contains a Lot of Water

Grapefruit contains one of the most water of any fruit. One cup of cut pink or red grapefruit contains 203 grams of water, which is nearly a cup.

Because of its high water content, the fruit is beneficial to one's overall health. Your body is composed of approximately 60% water, which is required to keep your body in shape. Water is also necessary for avoiding conditions such as constipation, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Furthermore, food accounts for approximately 20% of your daily fluid intake.

Including grapefruit in your meal plan can assist you in meeting your fluid goals. When selecting grapefruits, choose the heaviest ones because they contain the most water.

2. Grapefruit May Improve Diet Quality

Grapefruit is an excellent choice for increasing your intake of high-nutrient foods. According to research, grapefruit consumption improves diet quality and increases vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, and dietary fiber intake.

One-half of a red or pink grapefruit contains 100% of the RDV for vitamin C and 35% of the RDV for vitamin A. It also contains 8% and 5% of your daily fiber and potassium requirements, respectively.

3. The Peel and Pith Are Good for You

You might not want to throw away the outer layer of a grapefruit after peeling it away. Grapefruit peels have more antioxidant activity than the fruit's interior.

While grapefruit pith is more bitter than orange pith, it is still worth eating with the fruit. The piths of citrus fruits contain pectin, a type of soluble dietary fiber. Fiber lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Fiber may also reduce the risk of colon cancer.

4. Grapefruit May Help Pump Up Your Immune System

This is due to the high concentrations of vitamins A (133 micrograms) and C (71.8 milligrams) in each 1-cup serving.

Both vitamins aid in the proper functioning of your immune system. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect cells from damage.

Although grapefruit has not been shown to help prevent colds, some evidence suggests that it may reduce your suffering or the duration of a cold.

5. Grapefruit Might Lower Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure, this fruit may be beneficial. Grapefruit's ability to lower high blood pressure may be due to its high potassium content. This is significant because potassium helps to neutralize the negative effects of sodium and relax the blood vessel walls.

A drop in blood pressure can benefit 116 million Americans with hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. After all, one study discovered that a 10-millimeter drop in systolic blood pressure was associated with a lower risk of heart disease events, heart disease, stroke, and heart failure.

6. You Can Get Antioxidants from Redder Grapefruits

Grapefruit colors are high in goodness, vitamins, and nutrients. On the other hand, the red and pink ones have a little something extra: antioxidants beta-carotene and lycopene.

Lycopene is one of several carotenoids, or pigments, that contribute to grapefruit's red and pink hues. According to research, carotenoid-rich diets may reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.

7. Grapefruit May Help Control Blood Sugar

Grapefruit also has a lower glycemic index (GI), which means it does not raise blood sugar as quickly or as much as foods with a higher GI.

However, your blood sugar response to food can vary greatly depending on the composition of your meal—how much and what you eat.

8. It Might Speed Up Wound Healing

Vitamin C aids in the production of collagen, a protein required for wound healing. This vitamin also boosts the rate at which dermal fibroblasts are produced.

Ask your doctor before adding vitamins, minerals, or herbal supplements to your daily routine, especially if you're about to have surgery. In that case, grapefruits are also affected by the ability of certain drugs to affect their metabolism.