According to NutraSanus, grapefruit contains pectin, which is a type of soluble fiber found in the pulp of the fruit. I Health reports that grapefruit fiber can help you be an overall healthier person and the grapefruit pectin is an excellent source of dietary fiber. In fact, I Health reports that grapefruit pectin is beneficial in treating a number of health conditions and can even help to prevent some conditions.
Heart Health
According to I Health, grapefruit fiber can help you lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. Bastyr Center for Natural Health reports that the pectin in the grapefruits can help to lower cholesterol and triglycerides and this may be helpful with reducing the number of future heart attacks of people that already suffer from serious cardiac conditions. The Healthier Life also reports that ingesting pectin from a grapefruit can help to lower our LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and even reverse arterial wall damage caused by atherosclerosis. A February 2006 article in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, done by Dr. Shela Gorinstein et al, of the Hebrew University School of Pharmacy and Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products noted some interesting facts about grapefruits and heart health. The study found that grapefruit helps to lower lipids in the blood, which in turn decreases triglycerides and lowers the risk for atherosclerosis and heart attacks. The Healthier Life reports that you may need to take a supplement of pectin to get enough of the fiber for the full heart benefits. Pectin supplements are at most health food stores.
Control Blood Sugar Levels
According to Food Scout, the soluble fiber or pectin in grapefruit can help to slow the absorption of sugar in your body. This can help to reduce the risk of high blood sugars. This may be especially beneficial for you if you suffer from diabetes. However, using grapefruit pectin can also help you to lose weight or even maintain your current weight. According to The Healthier Life, elevated insulin levels in the blood cause hunger pangs. Fiber in grapefruit helps you to feel full and satisfied so that you are less likely to overeat or eat between meals.
Antibacterial, Anti-Parasitic
According to I Health, grapefruit pectin can be useful as an antibacterial agent. It can help your body fight off bacterial infections and can help you keep your body free of parasites of any kind, as reported by I Health. In fact, I Health reports that eating grapefruit pectin can help you feel much better especially in times when illness surrounds you. Therefore, adding grapefruits to your diet is beneficial but adding them to your diet during cold and flu seasons may be especially important.
References
- NutraSanus: Grapefruit Pectin Information and Benefits
- I Health:Grapefruit Pectin
- Food Scout: Grapefruit
- The Healthier Life: Insulin: Good News for Dieters and Diabetics
- Bastyr Center for Natural Health: Red Grapefruit Fights Heart Disease
- Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry: Red Grapefruit Positively Influences Serum Triglyceride Level in Patients Suffering from Coronary Atherosclerosis: Studies in Vitro and in Humans: Dr. Shela Gorinstein, Abraham Caspi, Imanuel Libman, Henry Tzvi Lerner, Dejian Huang, Hanna Leontowicz, Maria Leontocicz, Zev Tashma, Elena Katrich, Shengbao Feng, and Simon Trakhtenberg: February 3, 2006
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