There are different varieties of grapefruit juice, just as there are of the fruit itself. Red, pink or white grapefruit can be fresh squeezed for a healthy treat that is low in calories but high in nutrition. The USDA National Nutrient Database reports that grapefruit juice, white or red, contains only 96 calories along with a host of other nutritional benefits.
Vitamin Content
Red and white grapefruit both contain high vitamin content. The only difference between the two types of grapefruit lies in their vitamin A content, according to the USDA. While a 1 cup serving of white grapefruit juice only contains 24.7 IU of vitamin A, the same serving of red grapefruit juice contains 1087 IU of vitamin A, which is more than 20 percent of the recommended daily intake according to the Institute of Medicine. Vitamin A is necessary for healthy skin tissue, teeth, mucous membranes and eyesight according to the National Institutes of Health. It is also a powerful antioxidant vitamin, which means it helps cells fight off free radical damage that can alter DNA and lead to disease and cancer.
Vitamin C is another antioxidant vitamin found in equal amounts in pink and white grapefruit, with a whopping 93.9 mg which is more than 150 percent of the RDI. The B vitamin family finishes out grapefruit's vitamin content, with the exception of B-12, which is found primarily in animal food sources.
Mineral Content
Grapefruit contains several essential minerals, with potassium being the highest in content. A 1 cup serving of grapefruit juice, red or white, contains 400 mg of potassium, which is more than 10 percent of the RDI. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that potassium plays a major role in muscle contraction that makes it very important to heart function. It also reduces blood pressure, your risk of stroke and helps maintain bone health. Other minerals in grapefruit juice include magnesium, phosphorous, iron, calcium, copper, sodium and zinc. The USDA reports that red and white grapefruit juice also contain 1.2 g of protein, or 2 percent of the RDI.
Health Benefits
Grapefruit juice offers nutritional benefits that you won't find listed on a data sheet. The March 8, 2006 issue of "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" reports that grapefruit lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Researchers report that this is particularly true of red grapefruit, as it has a higher antioxidant content than white grapefruit. The Spring 2006 issue of the "Journal of Medicinal Food" reports that grapefruit juice can also lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin resistance.
Precautions
Though grapefruit juice offers several dietary and nutritional benefits, it has the potential to interact with any medications you may be taking. The October 30, 2007 issue of "Nutrition Journal" reports that grapefruit juice can stop the absorption of some drugs and increase the availability of other drugs into the system. Interactions are particularly noted with calcium channel blockers, which benefit the heart and blood pressure, and statin drugs that lower cholesterol levels. Anti-psychotics and anti-histamines are also affected by grapefruit juice. Speak to your physician before consuming grapefruit juice if you are on medication of any type.
References
- USDA National Nutrient Database: Keyword--grapefruit, white and pink
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin A
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Potassium
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Red Grapefruit Positively Influences Serum Triglyceride Levels; S Gorenstein, et al.; Mar. 8, 2006
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; The Effects of Grapefruit on Weight and Insulin Resistance; K Fujioka, et al.; Spring 2006
- "Nutrition Journal"; Medicinal Importance of Grapefruit Juice and Its Interaction With Various Drugs; J Kiani, et al.; Oct. 30, 2007
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