Grapefruit juice: the benefits and harm, recommendations for use

Grapefruit juice is not so popular in contrast to its citrus sibling - orange.There is an assumption that this is due to the taste of grapefruit. This fruit is characterized by a sweet-sour taste for an amateur with a touch of bitterness, while the juicy and rich flavor of orange juice encompasses a great deal of approval from consumers. However, a complete rejection of the use of grapefruit and products made from it is not recommended. The benefits of a single glass of this drink is enormous. In addition, being a dietary product, this citrus drink can become an ally in confrontation with extra pounds.

It is worth noting that the product is rich in a significant amount of vitamin C - in 100 milliliters of citrus juice it contains about 40 milligrams. One drunk mug completely covers the need for a person in this vitamin. A little known fact, but this citrus fruit is an excellent organic source of bioflavonoid, which is needed for better assimilation of other vitamins and mineral elements.

In addition to vitamin C, this drink contains almost the entire complex of vitamin B, which is responsible for the stable activity of the nervous system, the quality of the hair follicles and the nail plate.

Fresh grapefruit contains some minerals, namely potassium (responsible for the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system), calcium (necessary for proper growth and development of bones, as well as preservation of their strength), phosphorus (necessary for a flat nail plate, healthy state gingiva and to ensure protein-carbohydrate metabolism), sodium (helps normalize water-salt balance, responsible for the supply of nerve impulses to the muscles) and iron (necessary for blood formation and oxygen supply to the cells).

Due to the regular intake of this drink, it is possible to prevent the deposition of salts in the body. This is possible due to the large amount of organic acids, which are certain stimulants of the proper course of the digestive process, as well as active participants in the metabolism. The volume of organic acids in this citrus drink - 80% of the daily requirement per 100 milliliters of juice. They contain about 8 milligrams of carbohydrates. Proteins and fats are practically absent - 1-2 milligrams per ordinary glass of juice. The energy value of this diet drink is 30 kcal per 100 grams.

Due to the impressive amount of vitamin C in the composition of grapefruit juice and a complex of antioxidant elements its regular use can be of great benefit to the human body, which is listed below.

• Purification of toxic substances ingested with poor quality or unhealthy food.
• There is a strengthening of the gums, destroyed by infectious microorganisms in the mouth. Grapefruit drink is an excellent preventive tool against caries.
• Contributes to the speedy recovery of a person who has a cold or caught flu. Ascorbic acid contained in the drink has a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect. Eating fresh juice with pulp will help strengthen the immune system.
• Provides a cleansing and restorative effect on the liver, delicately removing slags and toxic substances from this organ.
• This citrus juice is favorable for the gastrointestinal tract, contributes to the improvement of the digestive system.
• An impressive amount of essential oils that make up the grapefruit, helps prevent headaches.

• Many doctors advise patients who have had a heart attack, stroke and ischemia of the heart, to drink 2-3 glasses of grapefruit juice several times a week.The vitamins and trace elements that make up it can clear blood vessels, strengthen them and reduce the likelihood of heart disease.
• A person with a low pressure of only 200 milliliters of juice per day will be able to normalize pressure and feel better. It also helps with high pressure.
• It is recommended for patients with a diagnosis of hepatitis C.
• Promotes the removal of kidney stones.
• Eliminates puffiness in the face and removes excess fluid from the body.
• Citrus drink favors the normalization of glucose levels, does not give him the opportunity to jump.
• This product is often recommended for people with cancer as an additional treatment. It is also added to anti-cancer drugs.
• Promotes the discharge of extra pounds, prevents the development of cellulite and makes the skin more elastic and taut. Ideal for weight loss.

Like any product, grapefruit juice has a list of contraindications and can be harmful. First of all, the use of this product should be abandoned to people with individual intolerance to this fruit. This is very dangerous because it can trigger an allergic reaction. In most cases, a person who is allergic to any citrus product appears reddened in the neck after drinking a drink.

Citrus juice is not desirable for patients with diseases such as gastric ulcer and gastrointestinal upset. In case of any prolonged illness, as a rule, the body is very weak, therefore, a doctor's recommendation is required on the possibility of consuming this citrus drink.

At an elevated level of acid in the stomach, grapefruit and products made from it are prohibited. However, many doctors agree that with moderate use of juice (500 milliliters per week) complications should not arise. It is also worth mentioning that a drink made of grapefruit distorts the effect of certain medications. A hormonal, antihistamine, antidepressant, and anticancer drug in combination with it may have a completely different effect on the patient's body.

Due to the rich composition of grapefruit, there is an increase in the efficiency of medical preparations for the heart, which, in turn, affects the activity of the liver. In no case can not eat grapefruit and products made from it, when taking antibiotics. Despite the benefits of this drink, When you undergo any treatment, you should consult with your doctor about the possibility of its use.

On the territory of the United States of America was recorded a similar case, which, unfortunately, led to a fatal outcome. A man with a severe chronic disease throughout the entire period of treatment used this drink to wash down the medicines prescribed to him. To date, special procedures are being carried out that determine the compatibility and the effect of food on medicines.

The recipe for making this healthy drink at home is extremely simple and even a child can handle it. To get the juice, you will need a manual or standalone juicer designed for citrus fruits. The use of a blender is acceptable. But in this case, you need to clean the fruit in advance and cut its pulp into small pieces.This will facilitate the work of the blender.

In the preparation process, it is desirable to use containers made of glass, plastic or enamel. Leaving the resulting product for long storage is not worth it. It is recommended to drink in a fresh state. This is due to the fact that after only 15 minutes the amount of beneficial vitamins and trace elements in it becomes much smaller, and decreases with every minute. Since this drink has quite a significant amount of organic acids, it is advisable to drink it with the help of a special cocktail straw. So you protect tooth enamel from the harmful effects of acids.

As a rule, there is no strict limitation regarding the amount of citrus drink consumed. However, the abuse of it is still not welcome, since its composition is rich in acid. It is advisable to drink a mug of fresh grapefruit drink 30 minutes before breakfast or 60 minutes after. In the process of eating food, it provokes the release of an increased amount of gastric juice, which subsequently provokes discomfort in the stomach.

Only 200 milliliters of grapefruit juice in the early morning on an empty stomach promotes active metabolism, normalization of the liver, brings the body into a tone and gives extra energy. It is advisable to wait about 30 minutes after taking the drink, and then proceed to a meal.

In order to improve the activity of the cardiovascular system, it is recommended to use 50 milliliters of this product before each meal. In the presence of heart disease, it is advisable to first consult with your doctor.

To clean the gall bladder, it is recommended to use 100 milliliters of this drink, mixed with vegetable oil. This composition is drunk in the morning on an empty stomach for two weeks.

It is strictly forbidden to drink pills with such juice. It also does not combine with alcohol. To strengthen the tooth enamel and gums, the skin of a fresh fruit is used, previously chopped into tiny pieces. It is mixed with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. The resulting mixture rinses the mouth after each brushing during the week.

Grapefruit juice can be used as a cosmetic. Regular overlays on the face and décolleté area of ​​a gauze napkin, previously soaked in grapefruit juice, help to get rid of mimic wrinkles and tighten the skin tone.

In order to soften the manifestation of pigment spots or freckles, a cotton pad moistened in this drink is applied to the required places.

We should also mention the masks for the face, made from the pulp of grapefruit. Citrus juice benefits the human body not only by ingestion, but also as an ingredient in face masks and décolleté. To make it, mix the following ingredients: 50 milliliters of grapefruit juice, 1.5 tablespoons of sour cream, one teaspoon of vegetable oil and chicken protein. Having a homogeneous mass, apply the mixture to the skin of the face and décolleté. After 20 minutes, wash with warm water.

A glass of grapefruit juice, drunk before taking a bath, promotes effective relaxation, helps relieve stress and fatigue.

You can find valuable information about grapefruit juice in the video below.