Saturday, July 6, 2013

Calories In Grapefruit & Nutrition Facts

Based on our  RDA from USDA database, the highest grapefruit nutrition is vitamin C which reach 40%. There also other nutrient contents such as Vitamin C, A, K, D, and B complex. Other essential nutrients contained in the grapefruit such as potassium, folic acid, calcium, phosphorus and phytonutrients. In addition to lot of nutrient contents, grapefruit is also low calories fruit. According USDA National Nutrient data base, calories in every one large sized of grapefruit (about 5.9 oz) contained 53 calories or equal to 222 kJ. Meanwhile calories in every 1 cup grapefruit (canned in juice), contained 92 calories or equal to 385 kJ. 

According to the trial results were published in the American Journal of Physiology, sugar in the form of fructose, as found in fruits, have a higher thermogenic effect than glucose, as found in various types of carbohydrates. But the assumption is shifted after the results of research conducted by Dr. Ken Fujioka of the Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center, Scripps Clinic, San Diego, USA. Fujioka conducted a study of 100 adults who are obese. 

They were divided into three groups, ie who consumed half a grapefruit before each meal, a glass of grapefruit juice before each meal, and do not consume grapefruit at all.During the 12 weeks of the participants did not experience significant changes in terms of diet and exercise. After 12 weeks, the results obtained by the first and second groups lost weight, respectively 1.8 kg and 1.6 kg and decreased levels of insulin than before the study.While the third group did not consume grapefruit only lost weight less than 0.5 kg and insulin levels did not change significantly. The researchers suspect that insulin plays role in helping you lose weight.



Grapefruit nutrition facts

Some researchers conclude that grapefruit can help weight loss, because for a long time many Western societies put grapefruit on their diet program. Grapefruit is also a good source of nutrition. Pectin is a soluble fiber that helps reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. Bioflavonoid, inhibits the hormones that support the growth of tumors and cancer cells. (Read health benefits of grapefruit)

Naringenin, helps reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. Iron, helps the formation of red blood cells. Calcium, helps the formation of strong bones. Potassium and magnesium, an electrolyte in the body.Alpha and beta-carotene, help maintain healthy eyes and skin. Vitamin C, keeping the immune system in the body. Folic acid, to prevent miscarriage of the fetus. Amino acids, helping to power the muscles. Vitamin B1 (thiamine), assist in the metabolic processes in the body and Vitamin B6, keeping the nervous system and brain power.

For more grapefruit nutritional value, you can read complete nutrition facts below accroding to USDA Nutrient database.

Grapefruit nutritional properties

Taken from wikipedia, grapefruit is an excellent source of many nutrients and phytochemicals that contribute to a healthy diet. Grapefruit is a good source of vitamin C, contains the fiber pectin, and the pink and red hues contain the beneficial antioxidant lycopene. Studies have shown grapefruit helps lower cholesterol, and there is evidence that the seeds have antioxidant properties. Grapefruit forms a core part of the "grapefruit diet", the theory being that the fruit's low glycemic index is able to help the body's metabolism burn fat.

Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) has been shown to have strong antimicrobial properties against fungi. It is also believed to have antimicrobial properties for bacteria, however there are no known studies that demonstrate its efficacy. Additionally, although GSE is promoted as a highly effective plant-based preservative by some natural personal care manufacturers, studies have shown that the apparent antimicrobial activity associated with GSE preparations is merely due to contamination with synthetic preservatives.

Since grapefruit juice is known to inhibit enzymes necessary for the clearance of some drugs and hormones, some have hypothesized that grapefruit juice may play an indirect role in the development of hormone-dependent cancers. A 2007 study found a correlation between eating a quarter of grapefruit daily and a 30% increase in risk for breast cancer in post-menopausal women. The study points to the inhibition of CYP3A4 enzyme by grapefruit, which metabolizes estrogen. However, a 2008 study has shown that grapefruit consumption does not increase breast cancer risk and found a significant decrease in breast cancer risk with greater intake of grapefruit in women who never used hormone therapy.

Grapefruit contains large quantities of a simple polyamine called spermidine, which may be related to aging. It is known to be necessary for cell growth and maturation, and as cells age their level of spermidine is known to fall. Scientists have shown that feeding spermidine to worms, fruit flies and yeast significantly prolongs their lifespan. In addition, adding spermidine to the diet of mice decreased molecular markers of aging, and when human immune cells were cultured in a medium containing spermidine, they also lived longer.