Grapefruit - As Useful As It Is Dangerous

Video: Grapefruit - As Useful As It Is Dangerous

Video: Grapefruit - As Useful As It Is Dangerous
Video: How Grapefruit Can Kill You 2024, November
Grapefruit - As Useful As It Is Dangerous
Grapefruit - As Useful As It Is Dangerous
Anonim

Grapefruit is a tropical citrus fruit that grows in tropical and subtropical regions. It was first discovered by Europeans in the islands of Jamaica and Barbados in the late 18th century.

It has long been thought that grapefruit is a variety of the pomelo. However, it turns out that it is a random hybrid between pomelo and orange.

From other citrus fruits grapefruit is different namely with its hybrid origin. Like all citrus fruits, grapefruit contains important nutrients for the human body. It is rich in important vitamins B2, C, E, provitamin A - carotene, calcium, potassium, fiber, organic acids and essential oils.

Grapefruit juice is extremely useful for those who want to lose weight. The ingredient narigenin has been shown to help with weight loss.

Grapefruit increases the body's immune defenses. It is extremely rich in the valuable antioxidant vitamin C. It lowers the levels of bad cholesterol in the body, and its aroma helps relieve stress and nervous tension.

However, this fruit also has its contraindications. After a study, researchers from California and Hawaii concluded that eating a quarter of a grapefruit every day increases the risk of breast cancer by 33%.

The media likes to make a sensation out of news like this. But you should not take the opinion of scientists too close to the heart. Their conclusion applies only to menopausal women and those living in hot climates who are exposed to intense solar radiation. For example, in Los Angeles, solar radiation is one of the largest in the world.

Grapefruit juice, on the other hand, can cause side effects in combination with certain medications during the treatment of heart and kidney diseases. U. S. scientists have recently identified ingredient in grapefruit juice, which interacts with some drugs, accelerating their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

Grapefruit sliced
Grapefruit sliced

Unlike other fruit juices, grapefruit juice is able to suppress the action of the enzyme CYP3A, which partially destroys many drugs entering the body.

As a result, many patients, forced to take medication regularly, avoid drinking this juice, while others drink it mainly with it to enhance their effect. The action of grapefruit juice is due to the substance furanocoumarin, which is contained only in this fruit.

For example, if you eat grapefruit or drink juice and at the same time take birth control pills containing estradiol, progesterone, methylprednisolone, cortisol, testosterone, you risk getting pregnant unexpectedly, as furanocoumarin significantly reduces the effectiveness of the pill.

According to some studies red grapefruit and freshly squeezed juice from it can confuse the action of about 100 drugs - some cause a delay in action, while others accelerate the effect. In both cases, it is very dangerous because such deceleration or acceleration can cause a number of side effects. Therefore, scientists advise not to take it if any treatment is currently underway.

One of the most dangerous interactions of grapefruit is with pills to lower blood pressure. Taken with them, a rapid and dangerous reduction in blood pressure can occur, which is also harmful for hypertensives, as their body cannot adapt to such a sudden change.

Grapefruit juice blocks an important liver enzyme and thus seriously prevents the breakdown of certain ingredients in medicines. If you are about to be treated and like to eat grapefruit, be sure to tell your doctor, who will best assess whether a dangerous interaction is possible.

If you consume grapefruit juice on an empty stomach, it can adversely affect the lining of the esophagus and stomach, teeth and gums. After all, grapefruit is highly acidic. Grapefruit can cause and stomach irritations in more sensitive people.

However, in small quantities, this citrus has a good effect on the body. Grapefruit contributes to remove toxins, activates the process of burning fat.

Grapefruit essential oils, as well as organic acids play an important role in stimulating metabolism, improving digestion, digestion, and the work of digestive juices.

Grapefruits
Grapefruits

Grapefruit prevents constipation. Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice has not only a laxative effect, but strengthens the nervous system, which is especially useful in mental and physical exhaustion.

It is recommended to eat some grapefruit before going to bed against insomnia. Do not overdo the quantities, a few slices are enough.

In aromatherapy, grapefruit oil is useful in apathy and depression. Enhances attention and memory. Its calming effect relaxes the mind and consciousness, helps to relax and purify from negative emotions.

As it turns out, grapefruit is a very controversial fruit. It has a number of health benefits, in terms of burning excess fat there is no equal, but if you are taking medication, it is best to stop at another fruit.

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