Grapefruit & Lycopene

Red grapefruit is a citrus fruit produced primarily in Florida. It is popular as a juice, sliced as a breakfast accompaniment, tossed in salads or broiled until its sugars caramelize. A versatile and flavorful fruit, red grapefruit also provides lycopene, an antioxidant that has attracted attention because of its health benefits.

Antioxidant

An antioxidant is a compound in red grapefruit and other foods that protects healthy cells against the harmful effects of disease-causing toxins the body produces in the process of producing energy. Additional pollutants from the environment, such as pesticides, cigarette smoke, air pollution and the effects of alcohol, also harm the body's cells and contribute to aging and disease development. Antioxidants, such as lycopene, support the existing cleansing systems in the body to neutralize and eliminate these toxins.

Cardiovascular Disease

In his book "Nutrition and Metabolism: Underlying Mechanisms and Clinical Consequences," Harvard University public health professor Christos S. Mantzoros says lycopene, fiber, potassium, folate and polyphenols give fruits and vegetables their healthy effects on cardiovascular disease. Including red grapefruit in your diet helps you adhere to the five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables that the United States Department of Agriculture recommends daily.

Prostate Cancer

Studies have both supported and refuted the effectiveness of lycopene in for the prevention of prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society suggests that the reason trials conflict is that a variety of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables work synergistically to fight cancer rather than in isolation. One study that found support for lycopene against prostate cancer occurred in 2007 when researchers from the University of British Columbia found that lycopene stimulates arrested development and death of prostate cancer cells in laboratory trials.

Comparisons

In analyzing the usefulness of lycopene for disease prevention and health, comparing it to other fruits provides perspective. A 1-cup serving of red grapefruit provides 6.5 mg of lycopene; a 1-cup serving of tomato provides 9.6 mg of lycopene; a 1-cup serving of watermelon provides 6.8 mg of lycopene; and papaya provides 2.6 mg. The Mayo Clinic recommends a therapeutic dose of 2 to 30 mg each day for up to six months for disease prevention and treatment.