Fiber in a Grapefruit

Fiber constitutes an important part of your diet and the tart, tangy grapefruit can serve as a good source of that fiber. This citrus fruit, ranging from 4 to 6 inches in diameter, contains plenty of the dietary fiber necessary to help regulate your digestive system and reduce your risk of serious health conditions.

Benefits of Fiber

Since most fiber cannot be absorbed by the body, it passes through your digestive system, eliminating harmful waste and preventing constipation. Fiber also helps prevent colon cancer, diabetes, heart disease and diverticular disease, a colon disorder characterized by an inflammation of the intestine. The American Dietetic Association recommends consuming at least 20 grams of fiber every day.

Amount of Fiber

An entire grapefruit contains approximately 3.4 grams of fiber---more than 13 percent of your daily fiber needs------and about the same amount as a cup of strawberries, cabbage, cauliflower or beets. The amount of fiber in one grapefruit exceeds that found in a banana or in 1 cup of celery or bell peppers. Fruits and vegetable servings that provide more fiber than a grapefruit include one apple or 1 cup of raspberries, green beans or broccoli.

Pectin

Grapefruits contain pectin, a soluble fiber found in many citrus fruits. Pectin exists mainly in the rinds and fleshy parts of grapefruits. In animal studies, pectin reduced artery clogging by nearly half in animals that were given pectin along with a high-cholesterol diet. University of Florida researchers found that people who ingested pectin daily reduced their blood cholesterol levels by an average of 7.6 percent, a significant finding since lowering blood cholesterol can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease.

Grapefruit Cleansing

Some people opt to detoxify or cleanse their bodies with grapefruit as an integral part of the process. If your aim is to use grapefruit in a cleansing diet, eat whole organic grapefruits and drink plenty of water. If you prefer to include grapefruit in your diet without performing a cleanse, try eating a grapefruit every day with breakfast and consider adding grapefruit to salads and salsas.

Other Benefits

In addition to their fiber content, grapefruits contain a whopping 150 percent of your daily recommended of vitamin C intake. Pink grapefruits contain high levels of lycopene, an antioxidant that can reduce the risk of tumors and prostate cancer. Always choose fresh grapefruit to maximize health benefits. Canned or juiced grapefruit does not offer the same nutritional advantages.