Grapefruit and Grapefruit

The three citrus fruits grapefruit, grapefruit and pomelo are closely related and therefore have some similar properties: The three fruits have in common their high vitamin C, but only low calorie content, as well as their slightly bitter taste. This makes the citrus fruits a delicious and healthy refreshment, not only in summer. If grapefruits, grapefruits, but also pomelos are taken together with certain medications, however, interactions can occur.

Grapefruit, grapefruit and pomelo: what’s the difference?

Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) is the fruit of the grapefruit tree, which is found in almost all subtropical countries. It is the result of crossing orange (Citrus aurantium) and grapefruit (Citrus maxima). In turn, the result of crossing grapefruit and grapefruit is called pomelo. Grapefruits, by the way, are considered the largest of all citrus fruits: they can reach a diameter of up to 30 centimeters and a weight of up to six kilograms.

Tips on buying and storage

While grapefruits are usually available throughout the year, grapefruits are relatively difficult to obtain in Germany. Often, the term grapefruit is also mistakenly used for a grapefruit. However, if you have managed to get hold of a grapefruit in the supermarket, you can store it at home without any problems: at room temperature, the exotic fruit will keep for up to three months. Grapefruits also have a long shelf life; slightly chilled, they are still edible two months after purchase. Fruit in winter

Bittersweet taste

The skin of grapefruits is yellow, and the color of the flesh can vary from a light yellow to a dark red. The flesh of the grapefruit is divided into different segments and usually has a bitter taste. The redder the flesh, the sweeter the fruit. Similar to grapefruits, pomelos have a sweet and sour taste, and sometimes they can taste bitter.

Grapefruit: real vitamin C bomb

Similar to many other citrus fruits, grapefruits have few calories (kcal). On average, 100 grams contain between 38 and 50 calories. The low calorie content of grapefruit is due to the fact that it consists mostly of water. In addition to the large amount of water, 100 grams of grapefruit also contain 8 grams of sugar, 0.2 grams of fat, and various vitamins and minerals. In terms of vitamins, the grapefruit mainly contains vitamin C. 100 grams already cover 59 percent of the daily vitamin C requirement. In addition, the grapefruit also contains vitamin A, B1, B2 and B6, as well as the minerals potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Ingredients of grapefruit

Grapefruits also have hardly any calories, 100 grams contain just 42 calories. Like grapefruit, grapefruit is particularly rich in vitamin C, with up to 45 milligrams of vitamin C in 100 grams of grapefruit. In addition, a grapefruit consists of the following ingredients:

  • 89.5 percent water
  • 9.4 percent carbohydrates
  • 0.6 percent protein
  • 0.5 percent fat

Health promoting effect

Grapefruit is probably one of the healthiest fruits of all, because its ingredients have a positive effect on our body in many ways. For example, the bitter substance naringin, which is found in grapefruits, grapefruits and pomelos, breaks down cholesterol. In addition, the bitter substances of grapefruit stimulate digestion, especially fat digestion. The improved digestion is due to the fact that the bitter taste of grapefruit stimulates the production of gastric juice. As hunger decreases with the onset of digestion, the bitter substances also provide an improved feeling of satiety at the same time. This makes grapefruit suitable for dieting, although it should not be consumed in excessive quantities. In addition, naringin improves insulin sensitivity and, since it has a positive effect on blood sugar, can prevent diabetes mellitus. In addition to the flesh of the grapefruit, its seeds are also said to have a healing effect: but whether a grapefruit seed extract actually has the promised effect, among other things it is said to have an antibacterial effect, is disputed among experts.

Interaction with drugs

Despite or just because of the many positive effects of grapefruit and grapefruit, but also caution is advised.This is because the breakdown product of the bitter substance naringin, naringenin, together with bergamottin, another ingredient of grapefruit, can lead to considerable problems in the body: Together, the two cause an enzyme in the liver to be blocked, resulting in poorer breakdown of certain active ingredients. As a result, the concentration of the drugs concerned in the blood can increase after grapefruit consumption, and their effects and side effects can intensify. One should be especially careful with heart medications as well as cholesterol-lowering agents. Antihypertensive drugs are also dangerous, as blood pressure can drop significantly more than desired. Furthermore, antidepressants as well as potency, cancer and asthma drugs are also affected by an interaction with the ingredients of grapefruit. In general, one should avoid taking medications of any kind together with grapefruit juice at all costs. The same applies to the consumption of grapefruit and pomelos.

Grapefruit: how to eat?

Those who love the bitter taste of grapefruit can eat the fruit directly. If you like it a little sweeter, you can cut the grapefruit in half, sprinkle the two halves with sugar and then spoon it out. In addition, grapefruit can also be used in desserts or salads. However, the majority of grapefruit is used in juice production.

Recipes with grapefruit

Grapefruit can also be eaten raw or made into juice. Grapefruit also does well in a salad along with chicken, green spelt, apple and egg. If you want to make a delicious dessert, grapefruit can also be used in a fruit salad. Here it gets along especially well with

  • Oranges
  • Tangerines
  • Apples and pears
  • Blue grapes

If you like it more exotic, depending on your preferences, you can also mix in figs, dates, walnut kernels or pistachios and eat them together with the grapefruit.