About Grapefruits

Grapefruit, known by its scientific name citrus paradisi, is a type of citrus fruit. Its large, sweet and tangy fruit is prized almost as much as that of its close relative, the orange. Grapefruit was discovered in the 1800s and is believed to be a hybrid of an orange and a pummelo, another type of citrus fruit with a thick yellow rind. Today, grapefruit is grown in subtropical areas around the world.

The Tree

Grapefruit trees reach to 20 feet tall on average and can grow just as wide. Dwarf varieties under 10 feet are also grwon. Grapefruit trees have a rounded form with spreading branches. The leaves are oval with a pointed end, glossy and dark green. The flowers of the tree have four petals, are white and waxy in appearance and very fragrant. Grapefruit trees bloom in the spring and produce fruit in the winter.

The Fruit

The fruit itself is between 4 and 6 inches in diameter, with a bright yellow rind. Within the rind, the fruit is segmented. Each segment is separated by a membrane that contains a juicy pulp and seeds. Some varieties are seedless. The pulp of the fruit can vary in color from light yellow to dark red in appearance. The taste of the fruit is sweet and tart, with a slight bitter aftertaste.

Benefits

Grapefruit is rich in vitamin C. One half a grapefruit provides nearly 80 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C, according to The World's Healthiest Foods website. The fruit is also high in antioxidants that assist in reducing the effects of harmful free radical chemicals within the body. Grapefruit is also a good source of fiber, particularly the soluble fiber pectin, which can help with lowering cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Other constituents in grapefruit may help to control kidney stones, reduce the risk of certain cancers and assist in the repair of DNA in cells.

Use at Home

Grapefruit is frequently served at breakfast, usually halved with the sections loose from peel. Grapefruit is commonly eaten raw, but may also be dressed with sugar and broiled. It is also a common ingredient in fruit cocktails. The fruit is processed into canned or bottled juice, which can be enjoyed as is, or used as an ingredient in other beverages, such as punch. Although some claim otherwise, there is virtually no difference in the flavor of grapefruit varieties that are yellow compared to those that are red. Grapefruit also makes an excellent marmalade, and the peel can be candied.

Other Uses

The peel oil of grapefruit is expressed and refined for use as a flavoring agent. Extract from the inner peel is often used is used as a bittering agent. Grapefruit waste can also be used as a source of fruit pectin and can be converted to cattle feed. The refined oil of grapefruit seed is used in cooking, in a similar way as olive oil.

Drug Interactions

Constituents in grapefruit juice can increase the strength of certain pharmaceuticals, according to The World's Healthiest Foods. These drugs include the immunosupressant cyclosporine and the anti-viral drug saquinavir. The effects of calcium channel blockers including verapamil, felopdipine and nifedipine; the antihistamine terfenadine; and the hormone estradiol are also increased by grapefruit. For those taking statin drugs, grapefruit juice may significantly increase levels of these medications within the body by inhibiting their metabolism.