Grapefruit

Ruby Red Grapefruit - One of my most favorite fruits

Grapefruit is the very best in Winter until Spring. They've been out in the market for about a month now and get juicier and tastier each time I buy them. I eat a half in the morning and then another half after lunch or dinner. They are packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin A, lycopene and fiber. All that for only 52 calories a half and you've got a real bang for your calories.

I love grapefruit in salads and will send a recipe soon for one with candied baby fennel, lobster and avocado. But right now I can't wait to eat one in the morning for breakfast and look forward to them as a satisfying snack any time of day! I also like them in the evening with my peppermint tea.

Calories 52, Fiber 6 grams, Protein .9 g, Vitamin C 64%, Vitamin A 28%, Calcium 3%

Grapefruit Health Benefits and another link on healthy grapefruit from the World's Healthiest Foods web site

and from the Happy Nutritionist web site:

"When it comes to a triple serving of health benefits, grapefruit packs a tri-power punch that's hard to beat. Researchers in Israel recently found that red and white grapefruit contain powerful antioxidants that may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Published in the February 2006 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, scientists found that serving heart by-pass patients the equivalent of one grapefruit a day significantly reduced cholesterol levels. The study included 57 patients, both men and women, who recently had coronary bypass surgery and failed to respond to cholesterol-lowering medication. Red grapefruit was especially effective, reducing cholesterol by 15 per cent and triglycerides (a type of fat that increases the risk of heart disease) by 17 per cent.

Another recent study conducted by researchers at UCLA and Zhongshan University in China discovered that Naringenin, a beneficial plant compound in grapefruit, helped repair damaged genetic material (DNA) in human prostate cancer cells. DNA repair is an important factor in cancer prevention since it stops cancer cells from multiplying. The research was published in the February 2006 issue of the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. Scientists noted that DNA repair by Naringenin might contribute to the cancer-fighting effects associated with a diet high in fruits and vegetables."