Grapefruit is a juicy citrus fruit that has either pink or white flesh. It is a hybrid of the pomelo fruit and a variety of sweet orange. Grapefruit is commonly grown in warm or tropical regions, such as Florida, Texas, Greece and Brazil. You may already be familiar with some of the varieties of grapefruit, such as the seedless Ruby Red which comes from Texas, according to Texas Citrus and Subtropical Fruits. Grapefruit has a number of health and nutritional benefits.
Vitamin C
It's no surprise that grapefruit, like most other citrus fruits, is high in vitamin C. A half grapefruit has approximately 78 percent of your daily recommended vitamin C allowance, according to the George Mateljan Foundation's World's Healthiest Foods website. Vitamin C is an important immune system-enhancing vitamin and anti-oxidant, which fights damage from free radicals. Free radicals are harmful particles, present in cigarette smoke and smog and also produced in natural processes such as digestion, that can cause cancer and damage your cell membranes.
Fiber
Grapefruit is a good source of fiber, with much of the fiber found in the pectin, according to Fresh Plaza, a news website that focuses on fruits. Pectin is a soluble fiber, which means that it is the indigestible part of the fruit that forms a gel-like substance when mixed with liquid, unlike insoluble fiber, which does not. Diets that are high in soluble fiber can lower cholesterol levels. Fiber is important for other health reasons. Fiber aids in the digestive process, helping to keep bowel movements regular. It also may lower your risk of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. Half of an average-size grapefruit has almost 7 percent of your daily recommended fiber allowance.
Lycopene
Lycopene is a nutrient found in grapefruit that is a member of the carotenoid family, like beta-carotene, that acts as an anti-oxidant. Additionally, lycopene may have anti-tumor properties. According to the World's Healthiest Foods website, lycopene is the carotenoid that has the highest amount of anti-oxidant properties. Regularly consuming foods that are high in lycopene, such as grapefruit, may also offer immune system benefits. Further studies, though, are needed, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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