Grapefruit

1. NARINGENIN: THE MOST ABUNDANT BIOACTIVE IN GRAPEFRUIT • Grapefruit is one of the best sources of the flavonoid naringenin. It is a primary bioactive compound in grapefruit. • 100 g of grapefruit contains on average 30-40 mg of naringenin (compared to 15 mg in oranges and 3mg in limes and cherry tomatoes). • Only 15-25% of the naringenin is absorbed in the GI. • Source:http://www.phenol-explorer.eu/contents/total?compound_id=201 • Naringenin health benefits: • Strong antioxidant activities (important for cellular health) • Reduce inflammatory processes in the body • Prevention and treatment for type 2 diabetes • May help in prevention of certain types of cancer (ex: colon cancer, lung cancer) • Helps increase good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol (important for cardio-vascular health) • May help to slow down the spread of Hepatitis C virus • NUTRITIONAL INFO • Grapefruit is very low in calories (42 Kcal/100g) • It is rich in dietary insoluble fiber pectin, which promote intestinal health and reduce blood cholesterol levels • It is a good source of vitamin A (about 1150 IU per 100g) and Vitamin C (about 52% of DRI) which are important for skin health and immune system • Grapefruit is very rich in potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure • Contains bioactive compounds such as naringenin, beta-carotene, xanthin and lutein. Studies suggest that these compounds have antioxidant properties and are essential for vision. • Red varieties of grapefruits are especially rich in the most powerful flavonoid lycopene. Studies have shown that lycopene protects skin damage from UV rays, and offers protection against prostate cancer. • It contains moderate levels of B-complex group of vitamins such as folate, riboflavin, pyridoxine, and thiamin in addition to some resourceful Grapefruit Naringenin was shown to improve insulin signaling and sensitivity thus promoting the cellular actions of insulin in adult male rats. This is research showing the potential of naringenin on Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes Kannappan S, Anuradha C V. Naringenin enchances insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation and improves the cellular actions of insulin in a dietary model of metabolic syndrome. Eur J Nutr. 2010:49:101-109 GENERAL INFO Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)was discovered in Barbados in the 18th century. Many botanists think the grapefruit was the result of a natural cross breeding which occurred between the orange and the pomelo, a citrus fruit that was brought from Indonesia to Barbados in the 17th century. Its current name alludes to clusters of the fruit on the tree, which often appear similar to grapes. If you currently take medications, consult with your doctor before making grapefruit a part of your diet! As little as 200 ml (7 fluid ounces) of grapefruit juice has been found to interact with some medications making them harmful

2. GROWING CONDITIONS AND AVAILIABILITY IN THE US: Grapefruit achieves its best quality under conditions of hot days and warm to hot nights, which results in higher sugars and lower acids than grapefruit produced in the cooler night temperatures common in Arizona and California. It is also grown in Texas and Florida. Grapefruit is harvested throughout the whole year therefore it is always relatively fresh and available on the marketplace. How to pick the right one: For a juicy grapefruit, choose one that feels solid and weighty. Look for a shiny, smooth skin to be sure of brown spots, or dull dry looking skin. The best way to consume grapefruit for its full bioactive capacity is fresh and peeled! TIPS FOR PREPARING AND COOKING Grapefruits should be rinsed under cool water before consuming, even though you will probably not be eating the peel, since cutting into an unwashed fruit may transfer dirt or bacteria that may reside on the skin's surface to the edible flesh. Grapefruits are usually eaten fresh by slicing the fruit horizontally and scooping out sections of the halves with a spoon. To separate the flesh from the membrane you can either cut it with a sharp knife, a special curved-blade grapefruit knife, or a serrated grapefruit spoon. If there are seeds, you can remove them with your spoon before you eat the grapefruit. Fun Grapefruit Recipe Source: Foreign Agriculture Service Horticultural and Tropical Products Division. Handling charts. http://www.fas.usda.gov/htp . 2005