Grapefruit Nutrition facts

Refreshing and delicious grapefruit is rich in phytonutrients like lycopene, vitamin-A, and β-carotene. The fruit is well known as "fruit of the paradise" for its unique health-promoting as well as disease-preventing properties, in particular among health-conscious, fitness enthusiasts.

Scientific name: Citrus paradisi.

Citrus paradisi is a subtropical citrus tree. Botanically, it belongs to the large Rutaceae family of citrus fruits, of the genus: Citrus, and closely related to oranges.

Grapefruit with a cut section.
(Photo by Vic Lic)

Grapefruit is an evergreen, medium-sized tree grown for its fruit. It grows up to 15 meters in height and bears many yellow-orange fruits in clusters during each season. It is, in fact, a natural hybridization of pomelo and orange.

It was first discovered in the forests of the Caribbean island, Barbados. Today, it is one of the most widely cultivated fruits in the United States, particularly in Florida, California, and other semi-tropical Southern states.

Grapefruit is oblate in shape, ranges in diameter from 3 to 5 inches, and can weigh up to 150 g. Characteristically, it has thicker, tough skin than that in the oranges.

On the interior, arils are arranged in segments as in other citrus fruits. Its arils are very juicy, and acidic, and vary in color depending on the cultivars, which could be white, pink, and red of varying sweetness. While some varieties are seedless, there may be up to 50 white, elliptical, pointed seeds about 1/2 inches in length seen in some.

Health Benefits of Grapefruit

Delicious, grapefruit is very low in calories and consists of just 42 calories per 100 g. Nonetheless, it is rich in dietary insoluble fiber pectin, which works as a bulk laxative.
Dietary fiber helps to protect the colon mucosa by decreasing exposure time to toxic substances in the colon as well as binding to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon.
Pectin has also been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels by decreasing re-absorption of cholesterol in the colon.
The fruit contains very healthy levels of vitamin A (provides about 1150 IU per 100g), and flavonoid antioxidants such as naringenin, and naringin. Additionally, it is a moderate source of lycopene, β-carotene, xanthin, and lutein. Studies suggest that these compounds have antioxidant properties and are essential for vision.
The total antioxidant strength measured in terms of oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of grapefruit is 1,548 µmol TE/100 g.
Further, vitamin A also requires maintaining healthy mucosa and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin A and flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
It is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin-C, providing about 52% of DRI. Vitamin C is a powerful natural anti-oxidant and helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals. It, furthermore, is required for the maintenance of healthy connective tissue and aids in early wound healing. It also facilitates dietary iron absorption in the intestine.
100 g of fresh fruit contains about 135 mg of potassium electrolyte. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids and helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure by countering sodium effects.
The red variety grapefruits are especially rich in powerful flavonoid antioxidant, lycopene. Studies show that lycopene protects skin from dangerous UV rays, and offers protection against prostate cancer.
Additionally, it contains moderate levels of the B-complex group of vitamins such as folates, riboflavin, pyridoxine, and thiamin in addition to some resourceful minerals such as iron, calcium, copper, and phosphorus.

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:

Grapefruit nutrition profile (Citrus paradisi), red, pink, raw, Fresh, Value per 100 g. (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)

Principle	Nutrient Value	Percent of RDA
Energy	42 Kcal	2.3%
Carbohydrates	10.7 g	8%
Protein	0.77 g	1%
Total Fat	0.14 g	<1%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	1.70 g	4%
Vitamins
Folates	13 µg	3%
Niacin	0.204 mg	1.5%
Pantothenic acid	0.262 mg	5%
Pyridoxine	0.053 mg	4%
Riboflavin	0.031 mg	2.5%
Thiamin	0.043 mg	4%
Vitamin A	1150 IU	38%
Vitamin C	31.2 mg	52%
Vitamin E	0.13 mg	1%
Vitamin K	0 µg	0%
Electrolytes
Sodium	0 mg	0%
Potassium	135 mg	3%
Minerals
Calcium	22 mg	2%
Copper	0.032 mg	4%
Iron	0.08 mg	1%
Magnesium	9 mg	2%
Manganese	0.022 mg	1%
Phosphorus	18 mg	2.5%
Selenium	0.1 µg	0%
Zinc	0.07 mg	1%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß	686 µg	--
Crypto-xanthin-ß	73 µg	--
Lycopene	1419 µg	--

Selection and storage

Grapefruit season begins from September until December. However, fresh fruits can be readily available all around the year now in supermarkets in the USA. Mature fruits harvested mechanically tend to have some superficial injuries. Such small abrasions on the fruit generally do not affect its quality.

In the stores, buy fresh fruits featuring bright skin, firm, yet yield to gentle pressure, but recoil immediately. They should be devoid of any wrinkles, should be heavy for their size, and impart a sweet aroma. Avoid overly soft fruits with spots as they tend to perish early.

At home, keep them at room temperature for a few days. For extended storage, place them inside the fruit/vegetable compartment where they keep well for up to three weeks. Prolonged cold storage at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, however, makes them sustain chilling injury.

Preparation and serving method

Wash Grapefruits under cool water before eating in order to rid of any dirt or pesticide residues even though you are probably not using its peel (zest), since cutting into an unwashed fruit may transfer dirt or bacteria that are residing within the skin into the flesh.

They can be eaten as in oranges. Cut the fruit horizontally into halves and scoop out its sections using a spoon. Alternatively, make a few vertical superficial scores on the skin and then peel it using fingers or a knife. Remove rind, and fibers and gently peel off membranes and seeds.

Here are some serving tips:

Grapefruits slices with fruit salad-topped toast.
(Photo by falldownmoon)

Fruit sections are a great addition to green and fruit salads.
Grapefruit juice can be a refreshing intra-day drink.
It is also used in the preparation of desserts, jams, marmalade, and jellies. Its peel can be candied as in oranges.

Safety profile

Research studies have shown that many drugs interact adversely with grapefruit. Certain compounds in the fruit called furanocoumarins may irreversibly inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 isoenzymes (3A4) in the liver and intestinal wall. This enzyme inhibition decreases the pre-systemic metabolism of some drugs taken up to 72 hours after eating this fruit and could adversely increase their levels within the blood. This resulting increase in drug levels might lead to serious adverse effects and toxicity. It is, therefore, strongly advised to consult your healthcare practitioners about consuming grapefruit juice if you are taking any pharmaceutical drugs.

Some commonly used drugs interacting adversely and should be avoided with grapefruit are:

amiodarone
astemizole (Hismanal)
atorvastatin (Lipitor)
budesonide (Entocort)
buspirone (BuSpar)
cisapride (Propulsid, Prepulsid)
lovastatin (Mevacor)
mifepristone (Mifeprex)
sildenafil (Viagra)
simvastatin (Zocor)
terfenadine (Seldane)

(Source:

The Harvard medical school family health guide: Grapefruit and medication: A cautionary note.

(Medical Disclaimer: The information and reference guides on this website are intended solely for the general information of the reader. It is not to be used to diagnose health problems or for treatment purposes. It is not a substitute for medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional. Please consult your healthcare provider for any advice on medications.)

≻≻-Back to Fruits from Grapefruit. Visit here for an impressive list of all varieties of fruits with complete illustrations of their nutrition facts and health benefits.

≻≻-Back to Home page.