Grapefruit juice is one of the most recognizable and flavorful fruit juices on the market, and it also offers several impressive health benefits for those who regularly drink it.
What is Grapefruit Juice?
Grapefruit juice, as you may have guessed, is a fruit juice derived from the grapefruit, which comes from a tree bearing the scientific name Citrus x paradisi. While the tart nature of this juice can be a bit strange at first, it is beloved by people all around the world, not only for its unique flavor but also for its dense supply of nutrients.
This juice typically has a rich pink to pale red color. The flavor will range from tart to extremely sour, so it is often consumed in a sweetened form, particularly if you get a store-bought variety. There are some potential risks of drinking too much of this juice, but in moderation, it can provide quite a few great health benefits. [1]
Some people use grapefruit seed extracts and essential oils with the hope of treating medical ailments. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
| Serving Size : | |
|---|---|
| Nutrient | Value |
| Water [g] | 90 |
| Energy | 39 |
| Energy [kJ] | 163 |
| Protein [g] | 0.5 |
| Total lipid (fat) [g] | 0.1 |
| Ash [g] | 0.2 |
| Carbohydrate, by difference [g] | 9.2 |
| Calcium, Ca [mg] | 9 |
| Iron, Fe [mg] | 0.2 |
| Magnesium, Mg [mg] | 12 |
| Phosphorus, P [mg] | 15 |
| Potassium, K [mg] | 162 |
| Sodium, Na [mg] | 1 |
| Zinc, Zn [mg] | 0.05 |
| Copper, Cu [mg] | 0.03 |
| Manganese, Mn [mg] | 0.02 |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid [mg] | 38 |
| Thiamin [mg] | 0.04 |
| Riboflavin [mg] | 0.02 |
| Niacin [mg] | 0.2 |
| Pantothenic acid [mg] | 0.19 |
| Vitamin B-6 [mg] | 0.04 |
| Folate, total [µg] | 10 |
| Folate, food [µg] | 10 |
| Folate, DFE [µg] | 10 |
| Vitamin A, RAE [µg] | 22 |
| Vitamin A, IU [IU] | 440 |
| Fatty acids, total saturated [g] | 0.01 |
| 16:0 [g] | 0.01 |
| 18:0 [g] | 0 |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated [g] | 0.01 |
| 16:1 [g] | 0 |
| 18:1 [g] | 0.01 |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated [g] | 0.02 |
| 18:2 [g] | 0.02 |
| 18:3 [g] | 0.01 |
| Sources include : USDA [2] | |
Grapefruit Juice Nutrition
This juice can deliver many of the same benefits as the entire fruit, including high levels of vitamin C, iron, protein, various types of dietary fiber, and natural sugars. Furthermore, the juice from an entire medium grapefruit will only equal about 70 calories. This is in addition to various antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds that can affect overall health in multiple ways.
Grapefruit Juice Benefits
The most important grapefruit juice benefits include weight loss, lowering the risk of heart diseases, strengthening the immune system, and regulating diabetes symptoms, among others.
Reduces Inflammation & Fever
Traditional use of this juice included its application in breaking fevers and soothing inflammation in various parts of the body. With antioxidants and unique active ingredients in this juice, stopping chronic inflammation and easing the pain is a natural and much-appreciated side effect. [3]
Protects Heart Health
Some of the active ingredients in this juice have been found to reduce cholesterol levels; if you eat the entire fruit, this effect is even more noticeable, due to the presence of pectin in the flesh of the fruit, but the juice can also help boost your cardiovascular health and protect against coronary heart diseases. [4]
Weight Loss
Since grapefruit juice is relatively low in calories but dense in nutrients, it can help you feel full between meals, thus preventing snacking and overeating, which can lead to weight gain and a failed diet.
Boosts Immune System
With more than 120% of the vitamin C, you need each day in a single cup of grapefruit juice, few juice varieties can so dramatically affect your immune system. A single glass of this while ill can help boost your white blood cell count and clear out the common cold, influenza, and everything in between. [5]
Treats Insomnia
Some people drink grapefruit juice before they go to sleep, as some of the volatile acids and antioxidants in this juice can lower stress hormones and impact your nervous system, helping you drift off peacefully to sleep. [6]
Word of Caution: There are some unusual side effects and precautions of drinking grapefruit, namely that it can affect the way that the body metabolizes certain medications. For that reason, most doctors do not recommend drinking grapefruit juice if you are taking medications like immunosuppressants, benzodiazepines or drugs for psychological or neurological disorders, among many others. If you regularly take prescription medication, speak with your doctor before making grapefruit a regular part of your health regimen. Furthermore, since there are about 70 calories in the juice of one fruit, excessive consumption can change your daily caloric intake. [7]
