Grapefruit

Grapefruits are relatively large citrus fruits with a combination of slightly sweet and bitter flavor profiles, a yellowish peel, and deep pink flesh. Their existence as a fruit species is short, as grapefruits resulted from an inadvertent cross between two non-endemic species, the sweet orange and pomelo(shaddock), on the island of Barbados in the 18th century. Grapefruit being a hybrid species accounts for the “x” in its botanical name, Citrus X paradisi.

Cultivation of grapefruits spread to different parts of the Caribbean, and was particularly popular in Jamaica where it was referred to as “the forbidden fruit.” By the late 19th century it had made its way to the United States via Safety Harbor, Florida, and from there cultivation in the United States began. Florida remains a large producer of grapefruits in the United States, along with California and Texas. Countries such as Brazil and Israel are also now major cultivators of grapefruit.

While one must be careful of consuming too much fruit juice in general, due to its significantly higher glycemic load in comparison to the whole fruit itself, grapefruit juice in particular has shown some major health benefits. One significant difference is its much higher content of antioxidant compounds in comparison to other commercial fruit juices. For example, research has suggested that grapefruit juice can both help fight against insulin resistance  and weight gain, both of which are major risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, and also that grapefruit juice may be an effective management tool for existing diabetics.

As a whole fruit, grapefruits are packed full of vitamin C and other antioxidants such as flavonoids, and have very good dietary fiber content. Research has connected consumption of grapefruits to preventing colon and prostate cancer, heart health and the lowering of cholesterol. Grapefruits are also more than 90% water, making them a great fruit to consume to keep hydrated. Staying hydrated is also important for digestive health, and since grapefruits are great sources of fiber, consuming them as a whole fruit can help maintain balance in the gut.

Glycemic Index – 25 = Very Low

Note: Certain prescription medications recommend not drinking grapefruit juice, consult with your physician if you are taking prescription medications for blood pressure, digestive health and other related conditions.

Resources and Further Reading

For more information about grapefruit and its history: 
https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/grapefruit.html

All about grapefruits, from their history and cultivation to health benefits: 
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=25

A study on grapefruit juice and its positive impact on insulin resistance and weight gain: 
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0108408

A recent study on the anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects of grapefruits and potential as a management tool for diabetics, along with strawberry and mango juice: 
http://www.journalrepository.org/media/journals/JALSI_40/2017/Apr/Fadlalla1122017JALSI31960.pdf