Grapefruit Juice

Tart and tangy, with an underlying sweetness, grapefruits have a juiciness that rivals the orange and has many of the same health promoting benefits. Grapefruits usually range in diameter from four to six inches. It is larger than most oranges and the fruit may be flattened at both ends. The grapefruit got its name because it grows in clusters on the tree, just like grapes! The wonderful flavor of a grapefruit is like paradise as is expressed by its Latin name, Citrus paradisi. Grapefruits make tasty juice on their own, or as a great addition to fresh fruit juice.

Grapefruits were first discovered in the West Indies and introduced to Florida in the 1820s. Most of the grapefruits grown in North America are grown in Florida. There are three popular varieties of the Florida grapefruit:

Marsh White - white to amber colored flesh and almost seedless
Ruby Red - pink to reddish colored flesh with few seeds
Flame - red flash and mostly seedless

Fresh grapefruits can be stored in any cool, dry place, but will last longer if stored in the refrigerator. Do not store fresh grapefruit in plastic bags or film-wrapped trays since this may cause mold to grow on the fruit.

Grapefruit Juice is and excellent source of Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps to support the immune system, and reduce cold symptoms or severity of cold symptoms. Vitamin C also prevents the free radical damage that triggers the inflammatory cascade, and is therefore also associated with reduced severity of inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. As free radicals can oxidize cholesterol and lead to plaques that may rupture causing heart attacks or stroke, vitamin C is beneficial to promoting cardiovascular health. They have no fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, or sodium! Owing to the multitude of vitamin C's health benefits, it is not surprising that research has shown that consumption of vegetables and
fruits high in this nutrient is associated with a reduced risk of death
from all causes including heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Grapefruit Juice and Medications

Certain cholesterol-lowering, blood pressure, and antihistamine prescription medications may interact with grapefruit juice. However, most medications are not affected. Speak with your doctor of pharmacist if you are concerned about whether your medications may be affected by grapefruit juice

So, what does all of this mean for you? It means that grapefruits are a great addition to any diet. What better way to add grapefruits then as fresh juice made with your own juicer?