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| Photo by: elainalove.com |
Man oh man have I been on a grapefruit kick these days! I don't know if it's because I've been traveling quite a bit or because I recently was able to pick my very own grapefruits off the tree...(yes you heard me right)..or what. But me and grapefruits, see? We've become the best of buds.
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| Grapfruits grow on trees just like lemons, oranges, pomelos and limes do!! Photo by: the-fruit-trees.tumblr.com |
What I like about the grapefruit eating, is that you have an entire experience when you eat one...well at least I do. Since I was a little girl, my grandmother made picking and eating grapefruits such a fun and entertaining moment. We would go and she let me pick each one out, we filled the bags high with the tangy citrus fruits and at home grapefruits were one of the items I was allowed to eat as much of as I desired...so long as I "disciplined" myself. Sheesh, what an 8-yr old kid knows about discipline I'll never know...but it sure kept me regular eating all those grapefruits. Certainly better than KitKats I imagine.
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| Empty grapefruits bowls! Tasty! YUM! Photo by: commons.wikimedia.org |
Well now that time has turned and it's me that's bringing my grandmother grapefruits off the tree, I have learned there were actually quite a few large benefits to eating them all along. Here are some of them:
1) Immune system booster
2) Anti-inflammatory properties
3) Good for those with asthma or arthritis
4) Great plaque remover, good for cardiovascular health
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| Look its a little sunshine! Aww! Photo by: www.heatovento350.com |
6) Good for a man's prostrate due to Lycopene content (NOTE: this is found in pink and red varieties ONLY - not the white ones)
7) Lowers cholesterol
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| Fresh slice grapefruits! Ooooh! Me want some!!! Photo by: heidimix.blogspot.com |
9) Can help prevent weight gain by regulating insulin levels
10) Fights CANCER!!
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| You can even sprout the grapefruits seeds TOO!!! Wow! GIve it a try! Photo by: www.newbeauty.com |
Vitamin A is great for maintaining brain function, keeping your eyesight keen, allowing for reproduction of the cells and therefore keeping your skin bright and tight :-). We need Vitamin A in a host of situations throughout our bodies and GRAPEFRUITS provide a significant amount per dose, equivalent to about 40% of our daily recommended dose.
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| Grapefruit Juice, perfect for those early mornings! Photo by: www.health.com |
The Latin name for grapefruit is citrus paradisi and I guarantee you that's what I feel every time I eat one of these little sweets. Better than a candy bar or cup of hot chocolate any day, grapefruits provide a slight tart and tanginess that rivals their cousin oranges and is a great refresher and morning system wake-me-upper!
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| Simple greens salad with grapefruit and avocado! Easy does it! Photo by: www.bonappetit.com |
The acidity of the grapefruits help to aid in digestion and therefore I believe grapefruits are best eaten (or juiced and drank) in the morning. Similar to our other early morning risers like: lemons, limes, tomatos, oranges, and tangerines, grapefruit juice in the morning is a great way to get the body flowing and the proper functions going.
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| Avocado and grapefruit salad. Simple food combining...raw fats with citrus fruits is a-okay! Photo by: www.mbskitchen.com |
Some of the other elements that grapefruits activate in our bodies are pantothenic acid, biotin copper, potassium, vitamin b1 and even FIBER! Have you ever had to use the restroom after eating a grapefruit or drinking its juice? Well the elements in our grapefruit juice helps to keep us regular!~ Maybe granny had it right all along!
So add some grapefruit eating to your repertoire today! Your whole body will thank you for it!
Happy grapefruit snuggles!!
Live. Love. Well.
~h
