Saturday, March 9, 2013

fruit of paradise


today i bought a grapefruit! i don't eat grapefruit often but when i do it's always a messy bitter sweet adventure. afterwards i feel i should have worn a bib and goggles, i can't imagine eating grapefruit in public. does anyone know a safe and messy free way to eat it? i guess i could peel it but i feel like digging in with a spoon is worth the mess sometimes.

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it is said that even smelling grapefruit can curb your appetite and make you suddenly less hungry than you thought you were. grapefruit is a hybridization of a pomelo and orange, first bred in the caribbean island of barbados. the pinker and brighter the grapefruit the better it is.


why grapefruit is such a super food:
  • high in fiber low in calorie
  • natural antiseptic for wounds
  • high water content helps with skin complexion
  • pulp supplies bulk and aids bowel action
  • quench thirst
  • glass of grapefruit juice can alleviate insomnia 
  • increases metabolic rate- great for weight loss
  • helps you recover faster from fever, fatigue, influenza,  malaria, constipation, urinary disorders
  • makes you feel fuller and content so you avoid overeating temptation
  •  rich in potassium and vitamin c
    • apparently half a grapefruit is 78.1% of the recommended daily value
    • huge boost to immune system
  • lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol & triglycerides
    • prevent heart disease
  • carotenoid
    • plant based compounds that contain antioxidant called lycopene
    • responsible for red color of grapefruit
    • scavenger for cancer causing free radicals
  • limonoid
    • another phyonutrient found in grapefruit
    • helps with detoxification by turning toxins & carcinogens into water soluble substances
  • naringenin 
    •  another antioxidant, helps repair damaged DNA cells 
    • in turn it contributes to cancer prevention as it stops reproductions of cancer cells
      • quick cancer lesson (recently studied topic in nursing)
      •  cancer: uncontrolled proliferation and unregulated growth of cells
      • when a stem cell mutates it loses control of its reproduction and 3 things can happen
        • 1. cell death, either gets damaged or apoptosis (cell suicide)
        • 2. recognition of mutation and it is repaired
        • 3. mutated cell survives and passes damage to daughter cells (here potential to become malignant)
        •  #2 is where food like grapefruit come in!
  • prevents arthritis
    • contains salicylic acid which helps break down inorganic calcium in the body
    • if inorganic calcium builds up in the cartilage of your joints it may lead to arthritis
however,
“Grapefruit has a negative reaction against many prescription drugs such as those used in treating depression, allergies, high blood pressure, seizures, impotence, heart palpitations and even HIV. Inform your physician if you want to use grapefruit as a regular form of treatment.”

Q. how do you eat your grapefruit?

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