Grapefruit and Weight Loss

There are many different 'secrets' to weight loss and many different foods and supplements that are all supposed to in some way improve our body's ability to store fat, or decrease it is propensity for storing fat. Some of these are successful, and others prove to be overhyped. One of these miracle dieting substances is said to be grapefruit, and thankfully it seems that grapefruit falls into the latter category. Here though we are going to place it under closer scrutiny.

Firstly, grapefruit is a highly useful food just as a snack. It makes a great breakfast bowl in the place of a bowl of cereal (though there is nothing wrong with a high fibre bowl of cereal either) and is a good way to keep you refreshed. Starting the day with grapefruit rather than something sugary can help to alter your 'palette' and make you crave fewer sweets and instead want to continue with fresh fruits throughout the day. As it is so sour, other foods will taste sweeter so you do not crave chocolate bars and pudding.

Grapefruit has a very high water content and that can be very useful for dieting as it helps to flush the system and fill up the body. However, some articles will overstate the importance of this high water count ?when of course you can get the same benefits to a greater degree by simply drinking more water. The high water content of grapefruit then does not make it a superfood, but instead could be seen as an 'added bonus'. Likewise grapefruit is very low in calories and in sodium. Both these things do not make the grapefruit good for you as such, but rather just ensure that it is not bad for you. You will not gain weight from eating grapefruit so you can eat a fair bit in order to gain from the benefits.

Grapefruit is also high in vitamins and minerals, in particular vitamin C, which makes it great for the immune system and fighting off colds. At the same time it is also high in vitamin A, B complex, E and K. This has a range of different health benefits, and interestingly vitamin B complex can improve our ability to get energy from carbs, which may in turn leave us with less fat storing. It will at very least mean that we feel more energetic when we are trying to exercise for weight loss. This can be found in higher volumes in other fruits though. In terms of minerals it then contains lots of calcium, folic acid, phosphorous and potassium. Some of these will help to increase the body's metabolic substances.

In terms of fat loss specifically though there are many mechanisms through which it is thought to work. The most commonly touted benefit is that it includes a fat burning enzyme which encourages the body to burn off excess fat ?but in a way much safer than weight loss pills. At the same time its absorbent nature is thought to absorb starch and sugar in the body. Interestingly this is thought to also help fight diabetes. Some studies also suggest that it improves the controlled release of insulin in the body ?preventing a spike after consumption and thereby allowing a more steady release throughout the day. Again this is thought to help prevent diabetes but could also aid weight loss.

The mechanisms for weight loss are many then, and at the same time there are many other health benefits for this food that is otherwise mostly made up of calorie-free water. Studies have supported this finding suggesting that regular consumption of grapefruit will help you to lose weight and it is a great way to start your day. One word of caution however is to eat grapefruit in moderation if you are on medication, as it can prevent some drugs from being effective.

 

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