ayurvedic benefits of grapefruit

Ayurvedic Benefits of Grapefruit

With it being Spring, ahem, allergy season, I’ve been loading up on vitamin C – mainly through plenty of grapefruit, one of my favorite power-packed citrus fruits.

According to Ayurveda, grapefruit is considered a sweet, bitter and cooling fruit, known to increase bile and mucus. Grapefruits are said to diminish excess Vata (Wind) in the body. Beyond being a great source of vitamin C, grapefruits are a good source of bioflavonoids, calcium, phosphorus and potassium.

Ayurvedic Benefits of Red Grapefruit

Red Grapefruit

Considered an alkali-forming food, grapefruit aids in balancing the acid reactions of different foods and relieves constipation. In Ayurveda, it is recommended that grapefruit be eaten with the pulp, before other foods, not after. This amazingly refreshing fruit aids in maintaining healthy intestines, protects against dysentery and other infectious diseases of the digestive tract. Grapefruit stimulates the appetite and is used for its digestive, stomachic, antiseptic, tonic, and diuretic qualities. Grapefruits have also been found to be beneficial in treating various diseases of the liver.

We’ve all heard of the grapefruit diet, but did you know that fasting on grapefruit juice with the pulp for three days is a fantastic way to purify the stomach and the intestines? I know when I first heard that I was surprised, as I thought it would be too acidic. But in actuality, grapefruits, in their post digestive state, produce an alkaline residue that is very beneficial. Grapefruits, are a good food to include in a sensible weight-loss diet; a serving contains less than 100 calories, and its high-fiber content satisfies hunger. If you’re trying to lose weight, try making grapefruit your first course to help prevent overeating. It’s also a great snack food.

Other benefits of including grapefruit in your diet: grapefruits are especially high in pectin, a soluble fiber that helps lower blood cholesterol. Recent studies indicate that grapefruits contain substances that are useful in preventing several diseases. Pink and red grapefruits are high in lycopene, an antioxidant that appears to lower the risk of prostate cancer. Other protective plant chemicals found in grapefruits include phenolic acid, which inhibits the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines; bioflavonoids, which inhibit the action of hormones that promote tumor growth. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other inflammatory disorders find that eating grapefruit daily helps to alleviate their symptoms.

Check out this tasty ayurvedic Grapefruit recipe with Honey, Ginger and Cardamom.

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