The following article will give you good, detailed information about grapefruit juice benefits for weight loss.
You will have another great fruit juice to add to your list for use in your juicer to aid you in losing weight.
Continue reading to discover all the benefits of grapefruit juice for weight loss on your weight loss journey!
Grapefruit Juice Benefits For Weight Loss
We’ve all come across various fads throughout the years that lead us through some ups and downs of trying to lose weight.
What we all know to be true is that many fads aren’t helpful at all. some help in the first few days to a couple of weeks, and others work, but are much too strict to carry out for very long.
All of which can, and usually do, lead to gaining back the weight you lost and often, much more.
We’re told over and over that the best recipe for weight loss is diet and exercise. When our doctors, nutritionists, dietitians and other experts in the health and wellness fields tell us to watch our diet, they don’t mean a fad diet.
They mean to watch what we eat, to make smart choices, eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats.
It can be difficult to get all of our fruits and veggies in throughout the day. Juicing is a great way to do just that! Today, we’re going to look at grapefruit juice benefits for weight loss!
Grapefruits are citrus fruits that vary in color and taste. They grow similarly to grapes, in bunches! Hence, the name—grapefruit!
They are usually an orange color but are pink on the inside. Grapefruits also come in yellow, pink, white or red and vary in taste from very sweet to quite sour! The amazing variety is just one of the many benefits of grapefruit juice for weight loss. Keep reading to discover more!
What Are Grapefruit Juice Benefits For Weight Loss?
All of the fruit juices have varying benefits for you in your weight loss journey. But, what specific are the specific grapefruit juice benefits for weight loss?
Grapefruits are low in calorie, but high in essential nutrients, making it a great option for losing weight.
You get the benefit of a delicious tasting treat chock full of vital nutrients for very few calories and little sugar!
Research has shown that grapefruits specifically have a special compound that helps with weight loss (we’ll discuss that more in depth later).
Studies have been conducted comparing grapefruit and a weight loss drug that is no longer on the market due to its affect on the heart. Grapefruits were shown to work better then the drug and are heart healthy!
Additionally, grapefruit juice benefits weight loss because it helps to combat metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance.
Why Does Grapefruit Juice Work For Weight Loss So Effectively?
So what exactly, is this special enzyme that makes grapefruit unique? Grapefruit juice contains a compound called nootkatone. This compound, nootkatone, activates AMPK, an enzyme called activated protein kinase.
Also, grapefruits help to combat insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. It is believed that grapefruits have properties that help the body’s production of insulin.
Which, helps with weight loss because too much insulin equals to storage of fat.
Again, grapefruit juice benefits weight loss by helping the body with appropriate insulin production.
When s the Best Time to Drink Grapefruit Juice and How Much?
It is best to drink grapefruit juice about 20 minutes before your next meal. This can help you consume 20 to 29 percent fewer calories during your meal.
Because grapefruits contain a significant amount of water you feel fuller and then eat less at mealtime. You should drink one 8-oz. glass before meals. This is the best way to gain all of the grapefruit juice benefits for weight loss.
Additionally, grapefruit juice makes a great pre-workout option for burning fat faster!
What Is Lycopene?
Lycopene, that gives grapefruits and other fruits and vegetables their red and pink color, is a carotenoid phytonutrient.
Lycopene is also an antioxidant that has been shown to fight and destroy cancer causing free radical molecules that are looking to destroy your immune system.
It also works to lower bad cholesterol, LDL, and lower blood pressure. Making it a super fruit.
Importantly, along with all of the benefits of lycopene is its ability to boost your metabolism by increasing the production of adiponectin which helps you lose weight.
What Is Beta-Cryptoxanthin?
Another carotenoid phytonutrient, associated with the color yellow in grapefruits and other fruits and vegetables, is beta-cryptoxanthin. Beta-cryptoxanthin, another antioxidant, has been shown to reduce risk of breast cancer.
It is part of the Vitamin A family and helps to assist your body with skin and bone health as well as reducing inflammation.
Additionally, Beta-cryptoxanthin reduces body fat percentage and combats metabolic syndrome aiding in your weight loss efforts.
Grapefruit Juice Benefits
One major benefit that people love is that grapefruit juice can help reduce cellulite. Studies show that even the smell of grapefruit can help reduce cellulite by stimulating the nervous system.
Additionally, grapefruit juice can also be very cleansing for your skin because of the enzyme bromelain.
Grapefruit juice can help your body to heal and absorb iron.
Most fruits and vegetables provide the most benefit in their raw state, unfortunately many people have difficulty digesting raw fruit and vegetables.
Turning these fruits and vegetables into juice makes them easier to digest, but you still get the benefit of the all the nutrients.
Because of the way that juicing breaks down whole fruits and vegetables, you end up drinking more nutrients than you would be able to eat in one serving.
Other Health Benefits Of Grapefruit
Besides the benefits of weight loss, grapefruit contains a host of other health benefits.
Bromelain
An enzyme that assists with cleansing the skin and reducing inflammation
Phytochemicals
Such as lycopene, naringin, and limonin, are non-essential naturally occurring chemicals in fruits and vegetables, that have disease preventing properties
Vitamin C
Immune boosting, cold-fighting, free radical combating, anti-inflammatory vitamin. Vitamin C can help those suffering from asthma and various types of arthritis. It can help lower cholesterol and boost heart health.
Flavonoids
Phytonutrients that give plants their color, also provide many health benefits for fruits and vegetables
Beta-carotene
One of the flavonoids, responsible for the yellow/orange color of fruits and vegetables, and part of the Vitamin A family, is a cancer fighting antioxidant, helps protect the immune system, and promotes heart health
Pectin
Fights a naturally occurring biological compound that becomes harmful with age as our bodies break down and incorrectly utilize the compound, Galectin-3. Pectin helps to fight cancer and heart disease, kidney disease and fibrosis.
Naringenin
A polyphenol flavonoid, assists the body with blood sugar and insulin levels, liver protection, reduction of inflammation.
Bioflavonoids-help to prevent breast cancer by reducing excess estrogen
Acidity
The acidity level in grapefruits is lower than that of your stomach and can help neutralize stomach acid
Potassium
An electrolyte that is one of the essential macronutrients, helps to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks by promoting cardiovascular health, supports bone and muscle strength.
It is also important to note that becoming deficient in potassium can cause constipation, fatigue, malaise, weakness and muscle cramps.
Lutein
Protects eyes from macular degeneration and other eye disorders
Limonoids
A phytonutrient that promotes detoxifying enzymes that encourage elimination of toxic compounds, specifically those responsible for breast, skin, mouth, colon, lung and stomach cancers.
To Fight Insomnia
A great way to fight insomnia is by drinking a glass of warm grapefruit juice just before bed.
Grapefruit Juice Side Effects
The compounds in grapefruit juice can affect certain medications. You should consult your healthcare provider if you take medications to lower blood pressure or cholesterol, to fight organ transplant rejection, to combat anxiety and some antihistamines.
The compounds can cause medications to be over-absorbed and dangerously potent or under-absorbed.
Grapefruit Juice Nutrition
As always, the most important rule of thumb is that weight loss all comes down to calories eaten versus calories burned.
So, eating super-sized big mac and fries with a large soda isn’t going to magically disappear because you drink a glass of grapefruit juice.
You still have to consider nutrition. On that note, let’s look at the numbers for grapefruit.
Size: ½ medium grapefruit, about 4 inches diameter, 128 g.
Calories: 41
Carbohydrates: 10.3g
Protein: 0.8g
8 ounces of grapefruit juice has about 100 calories
Grapefruit Juice is considered LOW on the Glycemic Index.
Once again, the nutrition information further shows that grapefruit benefit for weight loss are numerous because gain so much for so few calories!
Best Fruit Juice For Weight Loss Recipe
Pineapple and Grapefruit Juice Weight Loss Recipe
- 1 peeled grapefruit, with all seeds and white pith removed (some people like to leave the pith as it does contain quite a bit of nutrients)
- 1 cup pineapple
- 2 peeled oranges, again remove the pith as desired
- 1 bunch mint
Throw in the juicer, and ENJOY!
You can either throw in some ice cubes as desired.
More juice recipes for weight loss here.
Will Grapefruit Juice Help You Lose Weight?
After reading all of this information, it’s clear that grapefruit juice is a great option for your weight loss needs. If you do have concerns about medications, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
It may be fine depending on your specific medication, the dosage and other factors. However, grapefruit juice benefits for weight loss are voluminous, so it’s work checking into!