The fruit of the grapefruit tree is known as grapefruit.
Grapefruit is the name given to the fruit of the grapefruit tree , a tree whose scientific name is Citrus × paradisi . In some countries, this fruit is known as grapefruit . For example: "I like to drink a glass of grapefruit juice in the morning" , "When I was a kid, I always ate grapefruit with honey" , "This drink has rum, grapefruit juice and sugar" .
Biologists claim that the grapefruit is a hybrid that arose spontaneously from the mixture of Citrus x sinensis and Citrus maxima during the 17th century . This fleshy fruit , with a balloon appearance, can reach a circumference of about fifteen centimeters.
Grapefruit characteristics
The peel of the grapefruit, pink or yellow in tone, is very thick. Its flesh is juicy and generally quite acidic, although the flavor depends on the species of grapefruit in question.
The grapefruit tree grows especially in regions with subtropical climates. The United States , China and South Africa are, in that order, the main grapefruit producers in the world .
Forms of consumption
The usual thing is that grapefruit is consumed fresh and without any type of cooking, accompanied by sugar, honey or another sweetener. Its juice is also very popular thanks to the high amount of vitamin C it provides to the body .
It is also possible to eat grapefruit in salads or, after a cooking period, as jam . You can even make sweets and preserves with this fruit.
Grapefruit is a citrus fruit.
Benefits of grapefruit
As with most fruits and vegetables, grapefruit is very beneficial for our health , thanks to a series of properties that consumers are sometimes unaware of (except for its high vitamin C content, one of its main attractions). However, it is important to keep in mind that this fruit has negative effects when combined with certain prescription medications, which is why it is important to consult with a doctor before using it for curative purposes . Let's look at some of the advantages of eating grapefruit:
- Helps lose weight : since grapefruit has a large percentage of water , enzymes that help eliminate fat, and is not abundant in sodium, it is an ideal fruit to increase our body's metabolism, and this translates into a minor tendency to gain weight, something that few people could reject. For its effect to be unsurpassed, it is recommended to eat three pieces of grapefruit a week.
- It serves to prevent arthritis : the secret in this case is found in salicylic acid , which collaborates in the decomposition of inorganic calcium in our body, which tends to accumulate in the cartilaginous tissue of the joints and can cause arthritis. For patients with this disease, it is recommended to drink a preparation of apple cider vinegar with grapefruit juice to reduce its effects and significantly reduce symptoms.
- It has antiseptic action : salicylic acid can offer us another benefit , since it is a powerful antiseptic. To take advantage of it, you can mix water with grapefruit seed extract and apply it to fungal or bacterial infections.
- Prevents cancer : grapefruit has a carotenoid pigment called lycopene , which gives it its reddish color, which also acts by preventing the formation of tumors and eliminating free radicals that cause different types of cancer. As if this were not enough, this pigment offers better results when combined with vitamins C and A, both contained in this wonderful fruit.
- Reduces cholesterol : thanks to the action of grapefruit antioxidants, we can effectively reduce cholesterol levels.
A humorous character
In another area, Pomelo is the name of a character created by the Argentine comedian Diego Capusotto.
Pomelo parodies the behavior of rock stars, performing actions that are absurd. He is an egocentric artist who always tries to bring out his fame.