February is National Grapefruit Month making for a great reminder to rediscover the healthy and naturally invigorating grapefruit. There’s nothing quite like the bold taste and healthy goodness of grapefruit whether you enjoy it directly out of the skin or straight from a glass.
Although grapefruit is rarely mentioned as a superfood, this powerhouse of tasty goodness deserves a rightful place near the top of the list.
Benefits of Grapefruit:
– A glass of 100% grapefruit juice gives your body a full serving of fruit with no added sugar.
– Grapefruit contains powerful antioxidants that help protect the body’s cells from damage.
– Grapefruit is loaded with Vitamin C and antiviral phytonutrients called terpene limonoids which helps boost the immune system during winter months when colds and flu are at their peak.
– Grapefruit juice is one of the lowest calorie and nutrient dense juice choices.
– Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant found in pink and red grapefruit which may help prevent certain types of cancer, heart disease and stroke.
– A glass of grapefruit juice is a fat-free and cholesterol-free way to stay hydrated and nourished.
– Grapefruit has natural anti-pain properties due to its natural aspirin content, salicylic acid.
– Grapefruit contains pectin, a type of fiber, which binds to cholesterol and helps to remove arterial buildup.
Choosing a Grapefruit:
– Don’t judge a grapefruit by its cover. Skin discoloration and scratches may affect the appearance of a grapefruit but they do not impact the taste.
– The grapefruit should be heavy for its size as this usually indicates thin skin which makes for a higher concentration of juicier flesh.
– Grapefruits should be firm, yet slightly springy when gentle pressure is applied.
– Grapefruits are juicier when they’re slightly warm so it’d best to keep them at room temperature if you are planning on consuming them within a week of purchase. If not, you can store them in the refrigerator crisper where they will keep fresh for two to three weeks.
