WHY GRAPEFRUIT SHOULD BE YOUR NEW GO-TO HEALTHY SNACK

BENEFITS OF GRAPEFRUIT

Remember the grapefruit diet? Well, turns out that grapefruit isn’t just a fad. They are a nutritional POWERHOUSE, and we’re kind of obsessed with them lately. Eating just one grapefruit a day helps you burn more fat, get a more toned body, and become a cancer fighting machine! How? We’re glad you asked…

FAT BURNING SNACK

Grapefruit curbs your appetite, creating a full feeling in your tummy! It stimulates the liver to activate fat-burning enzymes that break down fatty acids in the body.

It also contains a flavonoid called naringin that helps with your insulin levels. This flavonoid is the reason for the bitter taste. Grapefruit is amazing as a weight loss food because it has a low glycemic index, meaning it won’t spike your blood sugar levels. Naringin also helps with insulin sensitivity. The hormone insulin is released when your blood sugar spikes, causing you to crash, store the calories as fat, and be hungrier sooner.

Grapefruit actually lowers insulin levels, which helps to keep your blood sugar levels steady so the calories are used as energy instead. Naringin also promotes lean muscle growth in an anabolic state, which meals it’s perfect as a post-workout snack when your body is repairing!

CANCER FIGHTING PROPERTIES

The rich pink and red colors of grapefruit are due to lycopene, a carotenoid phytonutrient. Lycopene appears to have anti-tumor activity. Lycopene has the highest capacity to help fight oxygen free radicals, which are compounds that can damage cells.

Grapefruit is also an excellent source of vitamin C, a vitamin that helps to support the immune system. It is packed with over 200mg! It also has other vitamins such as A, B complex (for hair, skin, and nails), E & K. It contains calcium, folic acid (for you pregnant mamas!), phosphorus, and potassium.

It also has an alkaline reaction after digestion, which is important in helping your body chemistry stay balanced! Grapefruit also contains bioflavonoids that have been found to lower excess estrogen levels and helps to stop breast cancer from spreading.

Other benefits? Grapefruit assists in digestion and helps with detoxing the liver… We’ll just leave that benefit right there. 😉

Cheers!

Ashleigh & Tricia

(See our video of our new favorite grapefruit inspired drink below. Click the play button!)